Agenda item - Recommendations from the Cabinet

Agenda item

Recommendations from the Cabinet

To consider the recommendations from the meeting(s) of the Cabinet held on 10th April and 6th June 2019.

 

Minutes:

Recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 10th April 2019

 

Response from the Council on the Solihull Draft Local Plan Supplementary consultation

 

Councillor A. D. Kent, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services, proposed the recommendation in respect of the Council’s response to the Solihull Draft Local Plan Supplementary consultation.  This was seconded by Councillor K. May.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Kent advised that the report was clear and concise so he did not intend to go into detail when presenting the report.  This was the Council’s response to the consultation from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, completed by officers.

 

Members discussed the report and highlighted the following areas:

 

  • That Cabinet had endorsed the officer response and that it had already been sent to Solihull. 
  • Concerns were raised in respect of the impact that developments in the Solihull area could have on particular parts of the District.
  • Reference to the Hearn Report in respect of future developments.  It was suggested that the Council should be more forceful in its response to ensure that it did not “miss out” when suitable sites for future developments were on the border with another authority.  Councillor Kent highlighted the covering letter to the consultation response, as detailed on page 79, which addressed some of these concerns.
  • It was noted that the letter was dated 15th March 2019 and referred to meetings with Solihull and Members questioned whether any meetings had as yet taken place.  Councillor Kent advised that as far as he was aware these had not. He took on board the concerns raised and assured Members that these would be taken into consideration at any future meetings and added that there were a number of other concerns, for example appropriate infrastructure which would continue to be raised.
  • The delay in the matter coming to Council and consideration be given to this in any similar responses.  Again, the concern was that as other authorities brought forward potential sites for development this Council would be left behind.

 

Councillor Kent advised Members that he had taken on board the comments made and would be discussing the points raised in detail with officers in due course.

 

RESOLVED that Council approve the officer response to the Solihull Local Plan Review supplementary consultation as its formal response and that this is confirmed with SMBC.

 

Recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 12th June 2019

 

High Quality Design Supplementary Planning Document

 

Councillor A. D. Kent, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services, proposed the recommendation in respect of the High Quality Design Supplementary Planning Document.  This was seconded by Councillor K. May.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Kent thanked all those who had commented on the document which had been amended to take account of those comments.  This was a live document which would be continually revisited and updated as necessary.

 

Members considered the report in more detailed and made the following comments:

 

  • Members thought it to be an excellent document which had been well put together.
  • Reference to electric car charging points and the need for this to be more robust and that future documents needed to have much more detail in regarding renewable energy.  Councillor Kent assured Members that he would ensure that this was addressed in future documents.
  • The importance of holding developers to account in respect of such matters.

 

RESOLVED that the revised version of the High Quality Design SPD be adopted.

 

Statement of Common Ground and Plan Making Process

 

Councillor A. D. Kent, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services, proposed the recommendation in respect of the Statement of Common Ground and Plan Making Process.  This was seconded by Councillor K. May.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Kent explained to Members that this was a legislative requirement.  It was also noted that all three recommendations, as detailed on page 169 of the agenda pack should be considered by Members and apologised for the error.

 

During discussion of the item it was suggested that there should be a small, but significant, amendment to the third recommendation to ensure that Members made the final decision in respect of cross boundary decisions for any key planning issues.  Councillor Kent confirmed that he was happy for such an amendment to be included.

 

RESOLVED:

 

a)    that Members note officer attendance is required at DtC/SoCG meetings where cross boundary issues and draft SoCG agreements are discussed and prepared;

b)    that Council delegates to the Leader and Portfolo Holder for Planning to sign off all relevant SoCG where cross boundary growth is not included; and

c)    that all Statement of Common Grounds which include agreements on cross boundary housing, employment or other development needs or any other key planning issue are reported to Council for consideration prior to signing.

Supporting documents: