Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Alexander and M Tindale.

To receive any announcements.

The Leader advised that, as the meeting was inquorate, no decisions could be taken.  Recommendations arising from the Local Development Framework Executive Panel meeting (see Minutes 739 – 742 below) would be referred onto Council for decision and the remaining business would be deferred until the next Executive meeting.

To receive any Member(s) declaration(s) of interest.

In respect of the matters referred to at Minutes 739 – 742 below, Councillor M Carver declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of his position as Chairman of the Board of Governors at Hertford Regional College.  He stated that he would leave the chamber, in the event of there being any substantial discussion related to the College.

Minute 25 refers

The Executive considered and supported the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Executive Panel made at its meeting held on 29 March 2012, in respect of the Local Development Scheme (LDS) Version 3 – May 2012. 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Local Development Scheme (LDS) version 3 – May 2012, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report now submitted, be agreed and take effect from 1 May 2012;

(B)      the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Policy and Economic Development, be given authority to make any consequential amendments to the Local Development Scheme (LDS) Version 3 following final publication of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations, as appropriate;

(C)      the Local Development Framework (LDF) and associated terminology be replaced with District Plan; and

(D)      the Local Development Framework Executive Panel be renamed as the District Planning Executive Panel to reflect the change in terminology.

Minute 26 refers

The Executive considered and supported the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Executive Panel made at its meeting held on 29 March 2012, in respect of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy: Approach, Technical Work and Next Steps.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the planning process, strategic planning tools, and approach to preparing the LDF Core Strategy, as set out in Essential Reference Papers ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the report now submitted, be agreed;

(B)      the draft technical work contained within Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ of the report now submitted, be agreed for the purposes of preparing the Preferred Strategy for consultation;

(C)      Planning Officers be authorised to undertake such duties as necessary to demonstrate soundness at Examination in Public, including, for example, the collection of further information from landowners and developers, and conducting joint technical work with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities; and

(D)      the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Policy and Economic Development, be authorised to update the draft technical work contained within Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ of the report now submitted, as necessary.

Minute 27 refers

The Executive considered and supported the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Executive Panel made at its meeting held on 29 March 2012, in respect of the Population and Household Forecasts and the East Herts Housing Requirement.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Population and Household Forecasts - Topic Paper, detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ of the report submitted, be agreed as the basis for considering a district housing target to 2031, and for inclusion as part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework (District Plan); and

(B)      on the basis of the key conclusions from the Topic Paper referred to in (A) above, a range of 500 - 850 dwellings per annum be subject to further investigation, to test the feasibility and implications of such a district housing requirement, against national planning policy requirements and the physical and environmental capacity of the district.

Minute 28 refers

The Executive considered and supported the recommendations of the Local Development Framework Executive Panel made at its meeting held on 29 March 2012, in respect of the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA) progress.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the SLAA sites being assessed under the initial Officer assessment, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be noted; and

(B)      the SLAA Next Steps, be amended to omit ‘Stage 2: LDF Executive Panel Ratification’, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ of the report submitted, and stakeholders be engaged directly following completion of the initial Officer assessment.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2012 and to consider recommendations on the matters below. 

Members are reminded to bring their copy of the LDF Executive Panel agenda to the meeting.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Local Development Framework Executive Panel meeting held on 29 March 2012, be received.

(see also Minutes 739 – 742 above)

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2012.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 6 March 2012 be deferred to the next meeting.