Agenda and minutes

The Panel considered a report presenting the findings of the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) undertaken for Panshanger Park and its environs.  It was proposed that the HIA be used as part of the evidence base to inform and support preparation of the District Plan, and for Development Management purposes.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for Panshanger Park and its Environs, June 2016, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support preparation of the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)      the HIA for Panshanger Park be agreed as evidence to inform Development Management decisions.

The Panel gave consideration to the Hertford and Ware Employment Study, June 2016, which comprised a thorough assessment of the economic strength and potential of the two towns.  The Panel considered:

·                        an economic profile of the towns;

·                        an analysis of the existing and changes to the stock of employment floorspace in the towns;

·                        a summary profile of each of the employment sites (except GSK in Ware, as it was in single company occupation);

·                        an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the economy of the towns; and,

·                        recommendations on policy, strategy and planning for employment land in the towns.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, Officers acknowledged the need for the Study’s findings on the retention of current employment sites or their re-provision to be reflected in the Hertford and Ware chapters of the District Plan. 

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Hertford and Ware Employment Study, June 2016, be approved as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)      the Hertford and Ware Employment Study, June 2016, be approved to inform Development Management decisions.

The Panel considered a report detailing the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 1 (Introduction) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 1 (Introduction) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel considered the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 2 (Vision and Strategic Objectives) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, Officers clarified that due to timing issues, some policy changes had been proposed although not necessarily arising from the comment made.  Vehicle Parking standards would be reported to the Panel meeting on 15 September 2016.  In noting that the Council had yet to make a decision on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the Panel Chairman advised that she would be discussing this with Officers.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 2 (Vision and Strategic Objectives) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel considered the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 7 (Hertford) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 7 (Hertford) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel gave consideration to the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 8 (Sawbridgeworth) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

In response to Members’ comments and questions in respect of Issue 8.39 and the Thomas Rivers site, Officers confirmed that this could be looked at again.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 8 (Sawbridgeworth) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)       the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel considered the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 9 (Ware) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

The Panel supported the recommendations now detailed.

RECOMMENDED - that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 9 (Ware) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel considered the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 11 (East of Welwyn Garden City) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 11 (East of Welwyn Garden City) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel gave consideration to the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 12 (Gilston Area) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.

In response to Members’ comments on the timing of infrastructure provision, Officers explained that working with partners would be crucial and that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan would be submitted to a Panel meeting in September 2016.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 12 (Gilston Area) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed.

The Panel considered a report on the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 14 (Economy) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.  Members noted that further amendments to Chapter 14 (Economy) had been required to ensure that the final draft District Plan reflected the most up-to-date policy position and the latest available evidence.  The Panel also considered a draft revised chapter, for subsequent incorporation into the final draft District Plan.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, Councillor G Jones referred to supporting the rural economy and the importance of rolling out superfast broadband across the whole District.  He also commented on the Council’s actions in support for business start-ups through working with Wenta and the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Project.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 14 (Economy) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered;

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed;

(C)      the further amendments in respect of Chapter 14 (Economy) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(D)      the draft revised Chapter 14 (Economic Development), as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ to the report submitted, be agreedas a basis for inclusion in the final draft District Plan, with the content being finalised when the consolidated plan is presented in September 2016.

The Panel considered a report on the issues raised through the Preferred Options consultation in connection with Chapter 18 (Community Facilities, Leisure and Recreation) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options version, together with Officer responses to those issues.  Members noted that further amendments to Chapter 18 (Community Facilities, Leisure and Recreation) had been required to ensure that the final draft District Plan reflected the most up-to-date policy position and the latest available evidence.  The Panel also considered a draft revised chapter, for subsequent incorporation into the final draft District Plan.

Councillor E Buckmaster referred to the Council’s ongoing work on developing a Leisure Strategy, reviewing its facilities and working with partners to ensure an emphasis on health and wellbeing and to tackle health inequality.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, Officers undertook to check the wording relating to “lifetime” and “lifelong” homes to ensure consistency.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapter 18 (Community Facilities, Leisure and Recreation) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted , be received and considered;

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed;

(C)      the further amendments in respect of Chapter 18 (Community Facilities, Leisure and Recreation) of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be received and considered; and

(D)      the draft revised Chapter 18 (Community Facilities, Leisure and Recreation), as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ to the report submitted, be agreedas a basis for inclusion in the final draft District Plan, with the content being finalised when the consolidated plan is presented in September 2016.

The Panel Chairman welcomed Members, Officers and the public and reminded everyone that the meeting was being webcast.

She advised that further Panel meetings had been scheduled for 25 August, 8 September and 15 September 2016.  Recommendations from the Panel would be considered by the Executive on 19 September 2016 and an Extraordinary Council meeting on 22 September 2016 would consider and determine the District Plan for publication and a further six week consultation period.

The Chairman also detailed the dates of forthcoming meetings with parish and town councillors on 25 July, 30 August and 20 September 2016.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 24 May 2016.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.