Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Whittle.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the former Strategic Planning and Environment Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 7 January 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the former Strategic Planning Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 7 January 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements made at this meeting.

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 this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

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

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Environment which provided an update on the Tree Strategy Action Plan.  A presentation was also made by the Principal Tree Officer to illustrate some of the points made in the report.

Members asked questions on a number of matters.  In particular, Councillor Forrest requested clarification regarding the relationship between Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council on tree related matters, in terms of who is responsible for which trees.  The Panel was advised that trees situated on the public highway are the responsibility of the County Council. It was reported that the arboricultural teams in each authority work closely together and have a good working relationship.

It was AGREED that:-

(i)     the Principal Tree Officer be thanked for the information provided in his report and presentation;

(ii)    the Panel supports the Tree Strategy Action Plan; and

(iii)  the Panel wished to pass on their thanks to  the Council’s arboricultural team for their hard work, particularly in light of recent adverse weather conditions.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Environment, which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for the current year 2013/14 and gives further consideration to the draft programme for 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Environment which reviewed the outcomes from the work programme for the current year, 2013/14, and gave consideration to formulating a draft  work programme for 2014/15. 

The Panel was requested to consider cancellation of the Panel meeting which had been scheduled for 13 May 2014.  The Director of Planning and Environment confirmed that the only item programmed for this meeting – Biodiversity Action Plan Review – would have to be reprogrammed owing to the need for further discussions with Natural England.

Members were referred to Appendix C which detailed the work programme items proposed for 2014/15.  It was reported that the draft programme did not currently show items relating to conservation area appraisals which will be coming before the Panel at future meetings.  It was stated that further information regarding these additional items will be provided at the next Panel meeting.

An updated copy of Appendix E – Planning and Development Executive Portfolio Work Programme, was circulated at the meeting for members’ information.  It was noted that the Portfolio Work Programme showed items for consideration by the Panel and the Council’s Executive up until March 2015.    Councillor Mandry reiterated his concern, expressed at the meeting on 7 January 2014, that the Panel did not have a role in areas of policy development relating to Welborne Strategic Design Guidelines and Fareham Borough Design Guidelines. Members were informed that the current arrangement whereby the Member Design Working Group progress these areas of work prior to reporting directly to the Executive was expected to continue.

With regard to additional items for the work programme, Councillor Miss Harper raised the issue regarding recent flooding in Titchfield.  She requested that a representative of the Environment Agency be invited to a future Panel meeting  to explain to members what has been done and what is proposed to be done to alleviate flooding problems in the area.  The Director of Planning and Environment agreed to investigate this matter in more detail and suggested that in the first instance contact be made with officers of Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership and/or Hampshire County Council prior to dialogue with  representatives of the Environment Agency.   It was intended that subsequently Panel members would be provided with more information on this matter.

It was AGREED:-

(a)  the Panel meeting scheduled for 13 May 2014 be cancelled;

(b)  the outcomes of the work programme for the current year, up until January 2014, set out in Appendix B be noted;

(c)  subject to the inclusion of a flooding-related item to the list of “Items to be Programmed“ (as referred to above), the draft work programme for 2014/15 attached as Appendix C, be approved; and

(d)  The Panel’s proposed work programme for 2014/15, attached as Appendix A to these minutes, be submitted to the Council for endorsement.

Appendix A – Proposed Panel Work Programme for 2014/15

APPENDIX A

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW PANEL - DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2014/15