Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holders are asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2010 as a correct record.

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2010 were a correct record, and signed them accordingly. 

Appendices A-E are attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website.  Appendix F is attached to both the paper and electronic versions.

The Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED to adopt the updated Procurement Strategy 2010/11.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report on Procurement Strategy.

Responding to the Portfolio Holder, the Finance Project Officer explained that the Council’s commitment to Fair Trade had to be balanced with its responsibility not to act in an anti-competitive manner.

The Planning Portfolio Holder agreed to adopt the updated Procurement Strategy 2010/11, attached to the report as Appendix F.

For approval, subject to comments made by Senior Management Team at its meeting on 24 February 2010. 

The Planning Portfolio Holder APPROVED the Procurement element of the Corporate Services 2010/11 Service Plan.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered and approved the procurement and efficiency elements of the draft Service Plan for Corporate Services 2010-11 to 2012-13.

For approval, subject to comments made by Senior Management Team at its meeting on 24 February 2010. 

The Planning Portfolio Holder APPROVED the Planning 2010/11 Service Plan.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered the draft Service Plan for Planning and Sustainable Communities 2010-11 to 2012-13.

The Planning Policy Manager and Building Control Manager outlined the challenges facing Development Control, Conservation, Planning Policy, Building Control and Registration.  Among other things, these related to

·           Resources

·           New computer systems

·           Workload

·           Redundancies

·           Service continuation

Concern was expressed at reducing the number of planning officers and the implications this might have should there be an increase in the number of planning applications being submitted to the Authority.  The Corporate Manager (New Communities) summarised the measures being taken to minimise any adverse impact.

The Planning Portfolio Holder approved the Service Plan 2010-11 to 2012-13 for Planning and Sustainable Communities.

Appendix 1 is attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder AGREED the Local Development Scheme 2010-2013.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report on the Local Development Scheme, which set out the timetable for plan preparation for the three-year period from April 2010 to March 2013.  Such timetable was subject to change under certain circumstances.

In response to a question from the Planning Portfolio Holder, the Planning Policy Manager said that 2010-11 was likely to be the last year during which Housing and Planning Delivery Grant monies would be available to Councils.  He added that South Cambridgeshire District Council could expect to receive about £1 million on the basis of plans adopted during 2009-10.  Beyond that, and primarily as a result of plan making having become more complex, officers were unlikely to be able to progress more than two plans at any one time.  Payment is made against adoption, and this Council’s next plan for adoption was unlikely to be ready until 2012.  Therefore, available funds might decrease during 2010-11. 

The New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed the Local Development Scheme 2010-2013, as amended.

For approval, subject to comments made by Senior Management Team at its meeting on 24 February 2010. 

The New Communities Portfolio Holder APPROVED the New Communities 2010/11 Service Plan.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder considered the draft Service Plan for New Communities 2010-11 to 2012-13.

The Corporate Manager (New Communities) reported that Senior Management Team had not suggested any amendments.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder commented as follows

·           Progress at Northstowe should be made in consultation with local Members and parish councils

·           At 2(d) of the Service Plan Overview, the outcome of the Clay Farm Inquiry should be listed as a Success.

·           At Section 8 (Workforce Overview), staff changes should be identified in terms of Full-Time Equivalents

It was noted that for future years, Planning and New Communities would prepare a joint service plan to reflect the new management arrangements from 1^st April 2010.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder approved the New Communities 2010/11 Service Plan, subject to minor amendments relating to the ‘SWOT’ analysis and Workforce Overview.

To respond to consultation by Cambridgeshire Horizons.

The Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED that the Council’s reply to the Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation should be:

(a)               The Council supports the role that an effective strategy will have in the protection, creation and management of green infrastructure.

(b)               The Council supports the development of a strategy which will provide a robust and defensible basis for green infrastructure planning and delivery, for both existing communities and the growth areas. 

(c)               The Council has significant concerns about the approach and content of the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy as set out in this report and previous officer comments to Cambridgeshire Horizons.

(d)               The Council will require major changes to the strategy addressing its concerns before it will be able to endorse it.

(e)               Council officers will work with Cambridgeshire Horizons and other partners to achieve the changes required.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report on the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation.

The Local Development Framework Team Leader informed the Portfolio Holder that, while the principles set out in the document were to be welcomed, she had a few concerns with the consultation draft relating to

·           Methodology

·           The need for a robust evidence base

·           Need to work in partnership with Cambridgeshire Horizons

·           Resource implications

·           Criticism of the baseline and delivery reports set out in paragraph 26 of the report

The New Communities Portfolio Holder emphasised that Green Infrastructure provided an environmental support system set within, and contributing to, a high quality natural, historic and built environment. which helped create places that were attractive, healthy and gave a good quality of life, and that delivered a range of other social, economic and environmental benefits.

The Planning Portfolio Holder said it was important to strike a balance between the demand for Green Infrastructure and the need for agricultural land.

The Planning Portfolio Holder agreed that the Council’s reply to the Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation should be:

(a)               The Council supports the role that an effective strategy will have in the protection, creation and management of green infrastructure.

(b)               The Council supports the development of a strategy, which will provide a robust and defensible basis for green infrastructure planning and delivery, for both existing communities and the growth areas. 

(c)               The Council has significant concerns about the approach and content of the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy as set out in this report and previous officer comments to Cambridgeshire Horizons.

(d)               The Council will require major changes to the strategy addressing its concerns before it will be able to endorse it.

(e)               Council officers will work with Cambridgeshire Horizons and other partners to achieve the changes required.

Appendices 1 to 7 are attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website.

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders AGREED the adoption of the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and to proceed in accordance with Regulations 18 and 19.

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report on the results of a public consultation exercise relating to three Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD relating to Affordable Housing, the District Design Guide and Landscape in new developments. 

Appendix 1 to the report listed the changes made to the draft SPDs following the consultation process.

Once adopted, the SPDs would form part of the Local Development Framework and be used to help determine planning applications.

The Portfolio Holders agreed that the Landscape Design Officer should expand the planting list in the Appendix to the Landscape SPD

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders agreed the adoption of the SPDs relating to Affordable Housing, Design and Landscape as contained in Appendices 5 to 7 of the report, and to proceed in accordance with Regulations 18 and 19.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s leaflet called Consultation on Cambridgeshire’s Local Transport Plan is attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website. 

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders AGREED that the Council make the following representation to Cambridgeshire County Council in response to the LTP3 consultation:

“The Council supports the overarching objectives of LTP3 and prioritises non-car modes as these will provide travel choice and best achieve the objectives with limited resources.  The strategy areas should be prioritised as follows:

(1)               Public Transport

(2)               Cycling

(3)               Walking

(4)               Smarter Choices

(5)               Road Safety

(6)               Traffic Management

“It is important to ensure the needs of all sectors of community are addressed, including the most vulnerable – the young, elderly and disabled.  At present many residents experience social isolation as they are unable to access essential services, shopping, leisure or simply meet with friends, due to a lack of bus or community transport service and/or the prohibitive cost of using it. 

“The Council would urge the County Council not to forget linkages to market towns outside the county as many of the remoter parts of the district look to these areas for their services.

“The Council would also ask the County Council to take in to consideration the outcomes of plans and strategies produced by other organisations, including the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, Community Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan, Parish Plans, the Children and Young People’s Plan (BigPlan2), and Cambridgeshire Horizon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, to name a few.  These may provide an extensive evidence base of transport provision and need, highlight issues concerning specific groups of people, and many contain an action plan including issues that can be addressed through LTP3.

“The Council would like to continue to work closely with the County Council and the other Cambridgeshire districts on drafting LTP3.”

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking agreement to a proposed response by South Cambridgeshire District Council to Cambridgeshire County Council about the latter’s consultation on the third Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The Planning Portfolio Holder emphasised the District Council’s opposition to a congestion charge for the city of Cambridge.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder stated that the Cambridge Park and Ride service did nothing to help South Cambridgeshire in terms of reducing carbon emissions.

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders agreed that the Council make the following representation to Cambridgeshire County Council in response to the LTP3 consultation:

“The Council supports the overarching objectives of LTP3 and prioritises non-car modes as these will provide travel choice and best achieve the objectives with limited resources.  The strategy areas should be prioritised as follows:

·           Public Transport

·           Cycling

·           Walking

·           Smarter Choices

·           Road Safety

·           Traffic Management

“It is important to ensure the needs of all sectors of community are addressed, including the most vulnerable – the young, elderly and disabled.  At present many residents experience social isolation as they are unable to access essential services, shopping, leisure or simply meet with friends, due to a lack of bus or community transport service and/or the prohibitive cost of using it. 

“The Council would urge the County Council not to forget linkages to market towns outside the county as many of the remoter parts of the district look to these areas for their services.

“The Council would also ask the County Council to take in to consideration the outcomes of plans and strategies produced by other organisations, including the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, Community Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan, Parish Plans, the Children and Young People’s Plan (BigPlan2), and Cambridgeshire Horizon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, to name a few.  These may provide an extensive evidence base of transport provision and need, highlight issues concerning specific groups of people, and many contain an action plan including issues that can be addressed through LTP3.

“The Council would like to continue to work closely with the County Council and the other Cambridgeshire districts on drafting LTP3.

“The Council would like to remind the County Council that it remains opposed to any form of congestion charging in Cambridge.”

To respond to consultation by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council on the two draft supplementary planning documents relating to waste management.  The Appendices are attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website.

The Portfolio holders for Planning and New Communities AGREED the responses to the consultation on the two Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) as given below and in Appendix 2 for The Location and Design of Waste Management Facilities SPD and Appendix 3 for RECAP Waste Management Design Guide SPD:

“The Location and Design of Waste Management Facilities SPD (draft)

“South Cambs welcomes the detailed guidance produced in this SPD and welcomes that rural locations have been considered separately thereby recognising the different considerations that must be given to locating waste management facilities in countryside settings such as is found in much of South Cambridgeshire. Also that separate consideration is given to urban fringe sites and major development sites of which South Cambs has within its boundaries.

“There needs to be recognition within the SPD that South Cambs has a number of adopted planning policy documents in the Local Development Framework. For planning applications for waste management facilities within this district there are a number of relevant Development Plan Documents (DPD) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) that would need to be considered.

“In the principles to apply for rural locations one must be added that considers the traffic generated by a waste facility particularly heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) so that there is not an increase in unsuitable traffic on rural road through rural settlements. The criteria is applied to both urban and urban fringe locations but is equally as valid in rural areas if traffic ends up going through nearby villages.

“There also needs to be consideration of impact that locating a waste management facility will have on the existing local communities in urban fringe and major development sites. The needs of these communities must be taken into account in planning these facilities.

“The SPD promotes the idea of the co-location of related waste facilities which although may have significant benefits, would obviously result in a much larger of scale development. This would be potentially more intrusive on the environment thereby reducing those sites that could be considered suitable.

“Waste Management sites have potential to cause significant and complex noise impact. South Cambs has concerns about how noise is addressed in the SPD. In the section considering noise (page 36) reference is made to a noise report ……..and appropriate mitigation measures…………but does not detail that the main purpose is to assess noise impact locally, characterise the existing noise climate at noise sensitive premises and use the best practical means to mitigate any adverse noise as necessary. This must be included in this section to safeguard amenity and minimise noise disturbance from any future facilities.

“Also in the SPD reference is made to guidance against World Health Organisation Community Noise Guidelines and actual dB levels are quoted e.g. 55dB day 45 night and or no more than 5 to 10 dB increase in background. These actual dB noise levels should be used with caution as these levels can be misleading and understate impact. South Cambs requests that any reference to actual dB noise  ...  view the full decision text for item 71.

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking agreement to a proposed response by South Cambridgeshire District Council to consultation currently being carried out by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. The consultation related to Supplementary Planning Documents relating to

·           The Location and Design of Waste Management Facilities

·           The Recycling in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership (RECAP) Waste Management Design Guide. 

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders agreed that the Council should respond to Cambridgeshire County Council in the terms contained in the report and as set out in Appendix 2 for The Location and Design of Waste Management Facilities SPD and Appendix 3 for ReCAP Waste Management Design Guide SPD.  

To respond to consultation by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council.  The Appendices are attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website.

The Portfolio holders for Planning and New Communities AGREED the responses to the Minerals and Waste Development Plan consultation as contained within the report to their 2 March 2010 meeting and in Appendices 2, 3 and 4.

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking agreement to a proposed response from South Cambridgeshire District Council to consultation currently being undertaken by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council on the proposed Submission version of the Minerals and Waste Development Plan.

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed the responses to the Minerals and Waste Development Plan consultation as contained within the report to their 2 March 2010 meeting and in Appendices 2, 3 and 4.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder AGREED to the following grants being made, requiring a virement of £5,651 from Arts Capital Grants to Community Facility Grants:

Community Facilities Grants

Village Sports Facility Grants

Arts Capital

The New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report detailing applications for community capital grants.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed to the following grants being made, requiring a virement of £5,651 from Arts Capital Grants to Community Facility Grants:

Community Facilities Grants

Village Sports Facility Grants

Arts Capital

The New Communities Portfolio Holder paid tribute to Jane Thompson (Cultural Services Manager) and Jane Lampshire (Sports Development Officer), both of whom would soon be leaving the Council’s employment.  Both the New Communities Portfolio Holder and the Planning Portfolio Holder thanked them for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

The Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED that the following uncommitted grant balances be carried forward into the 2010/11 financial year:

·                      Heritage Initiatives Grants: £29,061

·                      Historic Buildings Preservation Fund: £54,622

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking approval to carry forward the uncommitted grant balance in respect of Heritage Initiative Grants and the total balance on the Historic Buildings Preservation Fund.

The Planning Portfolio Holder agreed that the following uncommitted grant balances be carried forward into the 2010-11 financial year:

The Planning Portfolio Holder received and noted a report comparing actual revenue and capital expenditure to 31 January 2010 for the Planning Services Portfolio with the revised annual budget for the year ending 31 March 2010.

He noted that the overspend was less than in 2009-10, but expressed concern at the state of the Museums budget.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder received and noted a report comparing actual revenue and capital expenditure to 31 January 2010 for the New Communities Portfolio with the revised annual budget for the year ending 31 March 2010.

He noted the under spend of £54,900 in Planning Policy. 

 In the absence of a report, the Corporate Manager (New Communities) undertook to send performance details to the Planning Portfolio Holder as soon as possible.

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

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders noted their Forward Plans as at 18 February 2010.  The following amendments were made at the meeting:

Planning

·           20 May 2010 – deletion of Green Infrastructure Strategy (considered 2 March 2010)

·           Unscheduled item – add St. Denis Church, East Hatley (update)   

·           July 2010 – add Financial Performance 2009/10    

New Communities

·           July 2010 – add Financial Performance

·           Unscheduled – South Cambridgeshire Sustainable Parish Energy Programme Corporate Manager should be Jo Mills not Gareth Jones

The next Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders' meeting will take place on Thursday 20 May 2010, starting at 10.00am in the Council Chamber.  Please note that the meeting scheduled for 11 May 2010 has been cancelled. 

 The next scheduled Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders' meeting had been moved from 11 May 2010 to 20 May 2010, starting at 10.00am in the Council Chamber.