Agenda item - Recommendations from the Cabinet

Agenda item

Recommendations from the Cabinet

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6th July 2016

 

(Background information is included at the back of the Council agenda book)

 

Minutes:

Bromsgrove District Plan 2011-2030 Proposed Main Modifications

 

The recommendation from the Cabinet was proposed by Councillor C. B. Taylor and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Taylor reminded Members that this was the next stage in putting in place the Bromsgrove District Local Plan. The recommendation related to a public consultation on the modifications proposed by the Inspector. The public consultation had been extended to run for 8 weeks but would relate only to the modifications.

 

Points of concern expressed by Members included:

 

·         many of the modifications to go out to consultation were those put forward by officers and were technical in nature:

 

·         the modifications did not address the main concerns with the Local Plan which related mainly to the road network within Bromsgrove which was congested and inadequate even at present;

 

·         suggestions for a western bypass which had been included in the 2004 Local Plan had not been included this time;

 

·         there was a lack of transport infrastructure on the western side of Bromsgrove which was where much of the proposed housing development was to be located.

 

As an amendment it was proposed by Councillor L. C. R. Mallett and seconded by Councillor M. Thompson that no public consultation should commence at present, and that the Head of Planning Services and the Portfolio Holder for Planning write to the Planning Inspectorate expressing severe concerns in relation to the transport infrastructure within Bromsgrove and urging additional modifications to the Plan to address these concerns.

 

During the debate on the amendment, some Members expressed concern that there was not sufficient understanding at Worcestershire County Council about the traffic difficulties in Bromsgrove District. Also the view was expressed that further housing development would lead to additional pressure on schools and health services. 

 

Councillor Taylor commented that the Draft Plan had already been through two public inquiries and that the Planning Inspectorate were fully aware of the highways issues within the District.

 

Some Members felt that at present the consultation would not give the public the opportunity to comment on the issues which were most important to them and that there was a danger that the Local Plan would be undeliverable.  

 

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 18.3 the following details of the voting on the amendment were recorded:

 

For the Amendment: Councillors M. T. Buxton, S. R. Colella, C. A. Hotham, L. C. R. Mallett, P. M. McDonald, C. M. McDonald, S. P. Shannon, M. Thompson and L. J. Turner (9)   

 

Against the Amendment: Councillors C. Allen-Jones, B. T. Cooper, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, R. L. Dent, M. Glass, J. M. L. A. Griffiths, R. L. Laight, P. Lammas, S. R. Peters, M. A. Sherrey, R. D. Smith, C. B. Taylor P. L. Thomas, S. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (16) 

 

The amendment was declared lost.

 

During the debate on the substantive motion Councillor Taylor offered to arrange a meeting to discuss the highways issues with the Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council if this was requested.

 

RESOLVED  that the recommended Main Modifications of the Inspector as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be noted and that officers be authorised to proceed with an 8 week consultation on the Main Modifications  to run from 27th July 2016 to 21st September 2016. Details of the method of consultation are as set out in paragraphs 3.47 to 3.50 of the report.

 

 

Statement of Community Involvement and Local Development Scheme

 

The recommendations from the Cabinet were proposed by Councillor C. B. Taylor and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro.

 

In proposing the recommendations Councillor Taylor reminded Members that the Council was required to maintain a number of documents in relation to the Local Plan including the Statement of Community Involvement and the Local Development Scheme.

 

During the debate on this item the following points were raised:

 

·         Neighbourhood Plans and the budget provision for these  - Councillor Taylor undertook to give a written answer on this;

 

·         The incorrect address had been included for Wythall Library which had relocated;

 

·         In the list of statutory consultees there was a need for clarification  regarding Highways Authority and Highways England;

 

·         Concern regarding the lack of a decision whether or not to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy;

 

·         A request for a paper copy of documentation to be made available for public inspection at Barnt Green Parish Office. 

 

Councillor Taylor undertook to follow up these matters.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       that the revised LDS as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be adopted as the Council’s LDS;

(b)       that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Regeneration services in conjunction with the relevant Portfolio Holder to review and publish amended LDS timetables for the publication of the Development Plan Documents;

(c)        that the draft SCI as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved for publication as part of a six week period of public consultation during September/October 2016; and

(d)       that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Regeneration services in conjunction with the relevant Portfolio Holder to consider the response to the public consultation and, subject to no significant issues arising, to amend and adopt the SCI.   

 

 

Finance Monitoring Report 2015/16

 

The recommendations from the Cabinet were proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro  and seconded by Councillor C. B. Taylor.

 

In proposing the recommendations Councillor Denaro referred to the proposal to make amendments to the reserves.

 

During the debate on this matter Members raised concerns over the Council’s financial management which had lead to the transfer of £330k to balances. Some Members felt that the funding could have been utilised for the provision of services, or that the need for an increase in Council Tax may have been avoided, had budgetary control been more effective.

 

There was a query in relation to Capital Expenditure underspends. Councillor Denaro responded that the delay in implementing the vehicle replacement programme was due to the need to for the decisions to be taken in the light of outcomes from the Place Teams. This would ensure the most effective use was made of the budget available.

 

Councillor Denaro accepted that there was an underspend of £330k and that this was of some concern, however this was a considerable improvement over previous years and he would be continuing to work with officers in order to address issues Members had raised and to further improve budgetary control. 

 

RESOLVED:

 (a)      that the movements of £63k in existing reserves as included in Appendix 2 to the report which reflects the approval required for April-March 2016 be approved; and

(b)       that the addition of new reserves of £197k as included in Appendix 2 to the report which reflects the approval required for April-March 2016 be approved.       

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: