Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillor Andre Gonzales de Savage.

Subject to the correction of the spelling of Councillor Steven Clarke’s name and the addition of Councillor John Townsend to the list of attendees, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2009 were signed by the Chair.  

• Personal
• Prejudicial

1.            Councillors Sandra Barnes, Richard Church, Chris Millar, Tony Woods and Mr David Dickinson declared personal interests as Members of the WNDC Board. 

2.            Councillor Steven Clarke and County Councillor Robin Brown declared personal interests as Members of the East Midlands Regional Assembly.

To consider any issues that the Chairman is of the opinion are Matters of Urgency.

None.

(report attached)

The Interim Head of the JPU submitted a report and elaborated upon the reasons for the revision to the Local Development Scheme and the Government Office for the East Midlands’ (GOEM) recognition of the those issues.  She commented that there was now a better appreciation of the effects of the recession on delivery of the Joint Core Strategy.  She also noted that it was important for the LDS to be agreed as soon as practicable to avoid problems such as speculative planning applications from developers and any resulting appeals.  She referred to the Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and the split of the Affordable Housing and Developer Contributions DPD detailed in the report.  She corrected the proposed LDS set out as an appendix, in respect of page 7 to amend the date from “2008 to 2011” to “2010 to 2012” and also to note that South Northamptonshire Council’s Rural Settlements DPD should be included on page 8.

The Interim Head of the JPU commented that there was now a better understanding of the gaps in infrastructure provision and the effect of the recession on build rates, which therefore particularly affected the annualised build targets in the early years of the plan.  She made reference to page 4 of the report and recent meetings with the Highways Agency and Northamptonshire County Council to agree a programme and timetable.  She noted that a study of the behaviour of the Golden Plover had been agreed with Natural England.  The Interim Head of the JPU concluded that with the support of the County Council, Natural England and Highways Agency  amongst others, it was believed that the programme was robust and achievable.  It was also believed that the construction industry would note that progress was being made, although there was a risk that some might try to force the issue before the framework was in place.

Mr Hawkins, Chairman of the Great Houghton Action Group (GHAG), stated:

“That the Local Development Scheme and the Local Development Framework, which it will establish, are the responsibility of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee.  Given the experience with the Emergent Joint Core Strategy consultation undertaken earlier this year, GHAG ask members to satisfy themselves that this scheme can be delivered as proposed. 

In particular, GHAG asked the Committee to satisfy itself:

•         That those agencies on whose work the JPU is relying, such as the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency, have confirmed, in writing that they will deliver to the schedule necessary to activate the dates committed in the Local Development Scheme;

•         That the risk register fully recognises the risks associated with the dependencies of the JPU on other agencies, particularly the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency, and that mitigations and/or contingencies are in place should they not deliver as planned (these risks don’t appear to be in the register published with the agenda to this meeting;

•         That it is able to commit to fully funding and resourcing the programme.

GHAG also ask that the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(copy attached)

The Interim Head of the JPU submitted a report that set out the current risks on the risk register, which included control measures and mitigating actions.  Councillor Chris Miller noted that the input of the Environment Agency and the Highways Agency were important elements.  The Interim Head of the JPU commented that they were working closely with both agencies to agree a programme that would meet their respective concerns. 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Chair commented that this was the last meeting of the Joint Planning Committee that K Moore, the Interim Head of the JPU, would be attending. He thanked her for her excellent work in bringing forward planning policy for West Northamptonshire and leading the JPU. He presented her with a bouquet of flowers.