Issue - meetings

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor G Owen)

Councillor Gaynar Owen considered the report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community, which presented an updated Local Development Scheme for West Lancashire, reflecting changes in the timetable for preparing the Local Plan, and the inclusion of two additional planning policy documents in the Local Development Scheme.

The Minute of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 February 2022 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

A Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken, the Motion was CARRIED.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details set out in the report before it, the reasons contained therein and the agreed comments of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the updated March 2022 Local Development Scheme within Appendix A to the report be approved.

B.   That the agreed comments of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 24 February 2022, in respect of the resources levels of the Planning Policy Team and the proposed new Local Plan timescale be noted.

C.   That the agreed comments of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee, in respect of the work programme and frequency of meetings of the Local Plan Cabinet Working Group, be endorsed.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community as contained on pages 1501 to 1531 of the Book of Reports, which was to consider an updated Local Development Scheme for West Lancashire,

reflecting changes in the timetable for preparing the Local Plan, and the inclusion of two additional planning policy documents in the Local Development Scheme.

The Chairman introduced and welcomed Simon Kirby, Interim Head of Wellbeing and Leisure Services to the meeting.

The Senior Planning Officer responded to points raised by Members.

He explained that the March 2022 LDS also includes two additional elements that were not included in the September 2021 LDS. The first of these is a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on a joint Recreation Mitigation Strategy for West Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region which is being prepared jointly with the six Liverpool City Region Councils and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.  The second was a Review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule.

He explained that certain Local Plan policies were out of date, and therefore a need for the new Local Plan to proceed at present, he informed that paragraph 33 of the National Planning Policy Framework is relevant in respect of this.  He informed that if there are delays, special measures could be taken and informed that other Local Authorities were likely to be in a similar position.

He advised that the Local Plan timetable will be reviewed again once the team is fully staffed and, if possible, a revised timetable proposed. 

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·         Concerns with staffing resources within Planning Policy

·         Concerns in respect of consideration / publication of the HEDNA

·         Concerns with timescales / resources to deliver

·         A view was expressed that the proposed Local Development Scheme should not be endorsed

·         Proposals in the Government's Planning for the Future White Paper (August 2020) / Implications of this on the Local Plan

·         Review every five years - legal requirement for all Local Plans

·         Housing supply in current Local Plan/ housing targets

RESOLVED: That the content of the report be noted and that the following agreed comments of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee be submitted to Cabinet on 8 March 2022:

1.    There are significant concerns in respect of resource levels of the Planning Policy Team.  This includes concern that one position in the new structure is advertised as 'temporary'.

2.    There is concern that the proposed new Local Plan timescale is difficult to achieve.

3.    That the Local Plan Cabinet Working Group should not consider changes/approval of the HEDNA by e-mail and that a further meeting be held to consider this.

4.    That the request that further and more frequent meetings of the Local Plan Cabinet Working Group take place is reiterated

5.    That the Local Plan Cabinet Working Group be provided with an update on the 2019 PAS report outlining policies on the current Local Plan that are outdated.