Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence made at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Planning & Environment Policy Development and Review Panel held on 14 May 2013.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Environment Policy Development and Review Panel held on 14 May 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that he would be addressing the proposals made by Councillors Forrest and Whittle in the previous minutes (item 8), during the Work Programme report.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at the meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Environment which provides an update on the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Environment which provided an update on the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan. The report was presented by the Principal Planner (Strategy), who took questions from members.

It was noted that in light of the various changes made to the structure of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan (ESAP) and new actions and targets introduced, it was intended to submit the revised ESAP to the Executive in the Autumn for approval.

It was AGREED that the Panel supports the revised ESAP format and the new actions and targets within it.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Environment  which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Environment which reviewed the work programme for 2013/14. Members were referred to the information in paragraph 2 of the report regarding revisions made to the work programme since the meeting in May 2013.

The Chairman invited the Director of Planning and Environment to update members on the progress made on the suggestions put forward from Councillor’s Forrest and Whittle at the previous meeting.

The Director of Planning and Environment confirmed that he had received some proposed initial potential questions from Councillor Forrest regarding his request for a future meeting with rail providers to discuss the future of rail services within the Borough. He informed the Panel that much of the lobbying for improved local rail provisions and services is done through Hampshire County Council given their responsibility as Public Transport Authority, and that much of this takes place through Transport for South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which includes some limited Fareham Borough Council representation. The Chairman informed the Panel that the matter had also been raised with the Chairman of the Scrutiny Board and that both Chairmen agreed that, in light of the above, the rail providers should not be invited to attend either a Panel or Scrutiny Board meeting.

The Director of Planning and Environment informed the Panel that he had met with Councillor Whittle regarding his request that representatives from Hampshire County Council be invited to attend a meeting to provide information on how their activities impact on the services in the Borough, and as a result of the meeting had put together a brief scoping report which outlined the services that the Strategic Planning and Environment Portfolio was responsible for. The Chairman sought members views on the specific areas/services they would like to discuss with representatives from HCC. It was agreed by members that HCC representatives for services relating to both Highways and Transportation and Education be invited to attend a future meeting or meetings. The need for further refinement of the scoping report and the identification of potential questions to HCC representatives on these two topics should be the subject if further discussions between the Director of Planning and Environment, Councillor Whittle and the Panel Chairman.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Evans, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Environment, addressed the Panel on this item.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)    the programme of items for 2013/14, as set out in Appendix A attached to the report be approved;

(b)    progress on actions, as set out in Appendix B attached to the report be noted; and

(c)    the items in the work programme 2013/14 for the Strategic Planning and Environment Portfolio, as shown in Appendix C, be noted.