Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence from Cabinet Members.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2020, be confirmed and signed.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

Cllr E Heron declared a personal interest in Item 10 – Planning for the Future – Reform of the Planning System, considered at Minute 130 below. The interest concerned his work as a planning consultant. He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote on this item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

The Chairman confirmed that Mr Frank Tillyer had registered to speak on an item within the Cabinet’s terms of reference which was not on the public agenda.  Mr Tillyer had chosen to submit a statement which was read out to the meeting on his behalf.  A copy of the statement is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

The Portfolio Holder explained that the Council would provide a written response to the questions and points Mr Tillyer had raised which is attached to the minutes as Appendix 2.

To receive an update from the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders.

The Leader of the Council reported verbally on the Council’s response and recovery to COVID-19.   It had been previously acknowledged that the internal recovery work had continued through the work of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panels as business as usual returned. 

All four Overview and Scrutiny Panels had met in September to continue this work and monitor the progress of Portfolio Holders. In relation to the two external COVID-19 Recovery Task and Finish Groups, it was anticipated that the Local Economy Group would report to Cabinet in December 2020 with a position statement.  The Community Stakeholder Engagement Group would in due course continue to meet, reporting directly to the Community and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel, informing the development of the Council’s own Community Strategy to be considered by Cabinet in 2021. 

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing reported that the Council had re-opened all 5 of the Council’s Health and Leisure centres in early August, and where possible, activities had been reinstated in a new Covid - secure way. He thanked customers for their patience and support during very difficult times, and paid tribute to the Leisure Centre staff for their efforts in providing a safe place for customers to exercise. He also thanked the Health and Leisure Task and Finish Group for their work on the ongoing Leisure review. 3 bids were being evaluated.

To receive a presentation on the role to be played by New Forest District Council.

The Cabinet considered a presentation on the role of New Forest District Council in Local Restrictions Support.  A copy of the slides are attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

The Leader of the Council explained that the Council was being asked to further support the national effort in protecting residents and businesses from the impact of Coronavirus.

The Council’s key role was to Educate, Support and Encourage.  The regulations required the District Council to provide an educational role to the community, supporting public messaging, helping residents and businesses to understand the support available to them, and ensuring this support was made available promptly.

The Council would also work with residents and other agencies to encourage and ensure compliance with the new rules and assist with track and trace sharing.

To receive an update from the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services presented an update on the urgent works taking place to Westover Sea Wall. A copy of the slides is attached as Appendix 4 to these minutes.  The New Forest coastline continued to experience challenging conditions, even during the summer months.

Works had commenced on 19 August 2020, which were dependent on stable weather conditions, particularly relating to the delivery of materials safely.

Cabinet welcomed the news that the funding applications made to the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee were approved on 22 September 2020, both for £600,000 towards the urgent works and £250,000 to enable development work to commence for phase two.  The Portfolio Holder placed on record her thanks to the team involved in securing this much needed funding, which reduced the Council’s financial commitment and liability.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet confirm the continuing status, as material planning considerations, of the Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents and Guidance, as set out in Appendix A of the report, following the adoption in July 2020 of the Local Plan Review 2016-2036 (Part One: Planning Strategy).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder explained that a number of supplementary planning documents had been published over a number years and the adoption of the Local Plan meant it was necessary to confirm that these remain in force as per the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet approve and recommend to Full Council that:-

(a)  the outcomes of the public consultation that took place for 6 weeks on the proposed amendments to the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), be noted; and

(b)  the changes to the SCI set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be agreed and (subject to any final non-material editing) the amended SCI document, be adopted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder explained that the proposed policy had been the subject of a six week public consultation period. The document set out how the Council engaged with the public and stakeholders in the formulation of policy and plans, and with the determination of applications. He commended the report and proposed amendments as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:-

a)    agree to a 4 week consultation on the proposed redesigned pre-application planning service; and

b)    That the outcome of the consultation be reported back to Cabinet for it to consider whether the redesigned service should be launched in January 2021.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and explained that it sought Cabinet agreement to a revised planning pre - application process being subject to a four week public consultation period. The pre-application service was a paid - for service (with the exception of listed buildings), where applicants or agents may approach the Council to discuss applications before submission. This brought our pre application service in line with other compatible authorities and related best practice.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:-

(a)  Notes the key elements and implications of Government consultation; and

(b)  Delegates authority to the Chief Planning Officer to respond to the consultation on Changes to the current Planning System in consultation with the Planning and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

Cllr E Heron declared a personal interest in this item.  The interest concerned his work as a planning consultant. He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote on this item.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder explained that the Government had recently published two planning consultation documents; the first one covering the planning system, which had now closed and the Council had submitted its response.

This second consultation featured wider reforms. The Portfolio Holder felt that while many of the objectives of this consultation were to be welcomed, he highlighted two concerns. Firstly he disagreed with the Government’s apparent perception that the difficulties in housing delivery was a planning problem, as he observed that many sites across the District and in neighbouring areas had planning permission, but the developments had not come forward.

He further explained that the planning and housing was a highly complex industry and felt that the proposals had an over - simplistic approach which did not have sufficient regard to practicalities. He therefore had severe reservations on some aspects. The Leader confirmed that once the Council had submitted its formal response to the consultation, representations would be made to the District’s two local MPs.

There are a number of required changes to the Council’s Delegation of Powers to Officers that are the responsibility of the Cabinet, to take into account new legislation and changing to staffing structures.

RECOMMENDED:

That the changes to the Council’s Delegation of Powers to Officers in Annex 1 – Delegation of Powers to Officers – Changes to Existing Powers, be approved.

RESOLVED:

That the changes to the Council’s Delegation of Powers to Officers in Annex 1 – Delegation of Powers to Officers – Changes to Existing Powers, be approved.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION:

The Council operates an extensive scheme of delegation of powers to officers in order to ensure that the organisation can operate efficiently and effectively.  It was necessary to update the current scheme to ensure new legislation and recent changes to staffing structures were incorporated.

KEY DECISION:

No.

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Infrastructure.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

N/A.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader of the Council welcomed the recommendation to ensure officers could take the necessary action as permitted by new legislation and in reflection of new staffing structures.