Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2012 as a correct record.

The Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio incorporated some of the responsibilities of the former Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio.  While they would be signed off by the Northstowe Portfolio Holder in due course (previously the Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder), the Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio Holder received and noted the minutes of the Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder meeting held on 6 March 2012.

The Portfolio Holder agreed

·        the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation Report (Appendix A) for consultation between 12 July and 28 September;

·        to publish the Local Plan Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (Appendix B);

·        to publish the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Report 2012 (Appendix C);

·        to publish the supporting evidence base listed in the consultation report, including the following new additions attached to this report:

o   Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (Appendix D)

o   Jobs and Housing Forecasts: Executive Summary (Appendix E)

o   Village Classification Report (Appendix F)

o   Employment Land Review: Executive Summary (Appendix G)

o   Open Space Study (Appendix H);

·        that any minor amendments and editing changes that need to be made prior to publication should be agreed by the Director of Planning and New Communities in consultation with the Local Plan and Localism Portfolio Holder.

The Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio Holder considered comments made at the special meeting of Council on 28 June 2012 with a view to approving the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation Report for public consultation from 12 July to 28 September 2012 and agreeing the publication of new evidence base documents supporting the Plan.

The Local Development Framework Team Leader highlighted Appendix 1 of the Supplementary Agenda Report, which set out a number of  revised questions suggested by Full Council on 28 June 2012 for inclusion in the consultation document.  She said it was important to make sure that the agreed consultation document was both clear and consistent. 

Those present engaged in a discussion about, among other things:

§  Village frameworks

§  Neighbourhood plans

§  Localism

§  The need for housing for local people

The Planning and New Communities Director sensed Members’ mood, and suggested that the better way to deal with the Options and Issues would be to consider them in the context of their deemed importance and relationship with each other rather than strictly by Chapter.

The Portfolio Holder agreed

1.     the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation Report (Appendix A) for consultation between 12 July and 28 September;

2.     to publish the Local Plan Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (Appendix B);

3.     to publish the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Report 2012 (Appendix C);

4.     to publish the supporting evidence base listed in the consultation report, including the following new additions attached to this report

·        Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (Appendix D)

·        Jobs and Housing Forecasts: Executive Summary (Appendix E)

·        Village Classification Report (Appendix F)

·        Employment Land Review: Executive Summary (Appendix G)

·        Open Space Study (Appendix H)

5.     that any minor amendments and editing changes that need to be made prior to publication should be agreed by the Director of Planning and New Communities in consultation with the Local Plan and Localism Portfolio Holder.

The  Planning Policy and Localism Portfolio holder approved the Community Infrastructure Project Plan and the recommendation that the project will continue to be managed in house with the use of consultants to deliver the necessary supporting evidence.

The Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio Holder considered a project plan for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).  The report highlighted resource implications and the timetable for the next 24 months.

The  Section 106 Officer cautioned the Portfolio Holder that, should the Council refrain from adopting a CIL, Obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 would, after 2014, have limited applicability.  There was a formal process for developing a CIL.  Among other things, the Council would have to identify an infrastructure gap and carry out a viability assessment.  

The Planning and New Communities Director said that South Cambridgeshire District Council could benefit from observing the experiences of neighbouring authorities.  She added that it would be crucial to identify the correct charging level so as not to prejudice other commitments, such as the delivery of affordable housing.  In response to a question, the Section 106 Officer said that it would be possible to revise tax levels if, for example, the Council deemed it appropriate to apply different rates in different parts of the District.  It would be necessary however to go through the formal Levy-making process again. 

The Planning Lawyer said CILs would not affect the overall impact of Section 106 Legal Agreements.  There would be a number of exceptions from the impact of CILs, notably planning applications for Affordable Housing and on behalf of charitable organisations. 

The Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio Holder approved the Community Infrastructure Project Plan and the recommendation that the project will continue to be managed in house with the use of consultants as necessary to provide supporting evidence.

Cambridge City Council is taking a report to its Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 9 July 2012 that sets out proposed arrangements.  These include the establishment of a Joint Management process involving Cambridge University and the City Council to manage the Community Centre and Storey’s Field (both of these are within the City Council boundary).  The University proposes to retain management responsibility for the remainder of open space and facilities within the development.  Approximately 40% of the 3000 homes of this development will be in Girton.  Therefore, members are asked to consider endorsing these proposals. 

The City Council’s proposal will be considered by Girton Parish Council at its meeting on 18 July 2012.

The Portfolio Holder noted the report from Cambridge City Council but expressed her disappointment that the short notice given meant that Girton Parish Council would not have an opportunity to comment prior to the City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on 9 July 2012.  She said that she would be pleased to report the Parish Council's views to the JDCC when it considers the NW Cambridge application in August.

This item had not been published on the original agenda, and was published as a late supplement to the agenda.  The Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio Holder agreed to accept it as a late agenda item because of the timescale involved: officers had only just received the consultation and the current meeting would be the only opportunity to consider the matter in a public forum.

Cambridge City Council would be taking a report to its Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 9 July 2012 that set out proposed arrangements.  These included the establishment of a Joint Management process involving Cambridge University and the City Council to manage the Community Centre and Storey’s Field (both within the City Council boundary).  The University was proposing to retain management responsibility for the remainder of open space and facilities within the development.  Approximately 40% of the 3,000 homes of this development would be in Girton. 

The City Council’s proposal would be considered by Girton Parish Council at its meeting on 18 July 2012.  The Planning Policy & Localism Portfolio Holder expressed disappointment that,  not only was Cambridge City Council’s report a late paper for her meeting, but also the short notice given meant that Girton Parish Council would not have an opportunity to comment prior to the City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on 9 July.  Councillor Douglas de Lacey (a local Member) said that Girton Parish Council regretted not being involved at an earlier stage.

The Portfolio Holder noted the report from Cambridge City Council but expressed her disappointment that the short notice given meant that Girton Parish Council would not have an opportunity to comment prior to the City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting on 9 July 2012.  She said that she would be pleased to report the Parish Council's views to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee when it considers the North West Cambridge application in August 2012.

The Portfolio Holder will maintain, for agreement at each meeting, a Forward Plan identifying all matters relevant to the Portfolio which it is believed are likely to be the subject of consideration and / or decision by the Portfolio Holder, or recommendation to, or referral by, the Portfolio Holder to Cabinet, Council, or any other constituent part of the Council.   The plan will be updated as necessary.  The Portfolio Holder will be responsible for the content and accuracy of the forward plan.

A Forward Plan would be drawn up in due course.

No further meeting dates had yet been agreed.