To receive an oral update from the Portfolio Holders for Environment and Regulatory Services and for Planning and Infrastructure.
Minutes:
Cllr E J Heron, the Planning and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, advised the Panel that work on the preparation of the Local Plan was progressing. The latest report to be published on-line was the research into the Objective Assessment of Housing Need for the District, and the Portfolio Holder was pleased to report that the Council would be able to bring forward a local plan that, as closely as was practically possible, met the identified need. The Council was also continuing to work with neighbouring authorities under the general duty to co-operate.
It was anticipated that there would be a further informal briefing for all members of the Council prior to the Local Plan being submitted to the Cabinet and Council for approval. That briefing session would concentrate on policies and overarching issues. Local issues could be raised with the Portfolio Holder on an individual basis, although supplementary planning documents for individual sites would not be produced until a later stage in the process.
In answer to questions, Cllr Heron advised the Panel that there was the capacity to increase the number of car parking spaces available in the car parks in Hythe following the sale of the St John’s street car park to Lidl. The additional spaces would not however be provided unless there was a demonstrated need, based on use levels and patterns.
With respect to tidal flooding at Shore Road Hythe, this was a County Council issue, but Cllr Heron would be happy to raise it with appropriate departments if the relevant information was forwarded to him.
Cllr Hoare, the Environment and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder, was pleased to report that, notwithstanding the storms over the Christmas period, all refuse collection and recycling rounds had been completed and she particularly commended the commitment of the staff that had responded to cover when two of the vehicles had broken down. The Council’s tree contractor had also been very busy responding to fallen trees and it was agreed that the Portfolio Holder would write to them to thank them for their efforts over the Christmas period.
Cllr Hoare was pleased to report that all the Council’s beach huts remained intact after the storms. A quantity of shingle had been deposited on the walkway at Milford, but clearance was currently underway.
The Council had received a grant to monitor traffic flows and vehicle types along the A35 between the A326 and the boundary with Southampton, and also within central Totton. This was in connection with air quality assessment work. The contractors undertaking the work would be able to compare current levels with data from 2015.
Additional diffusion tubes had also been installed along the A35 to gather additional information on air quality. A joint action plan on air quality must be agreed by this Council and Southampton City Council by July 2018. There was some Government funding available to progress the necessary works. The Portfolio Holder would be meeting Therese Coffey, the Minister responsible, at Southampton on the following day.
Cllr Hoare was pleased to introduce Chris Noble who was currently the Head of Project Integra, but who would be joining the Council as Service Manager for Waste and Transport on 5 February 2018.