Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence received at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 01 October 2020.

It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel held on the 01 October 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive and declarations of interest from Members in accordance with the 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 received at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a presentation from the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development updating Members of the Consultation Responses to the Publication Local Plan which ended in December 2020.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development, Gayle Wootton and Principal Planner (Strategy) Peter Drake. The presentation provided an overview of the Consultation Responses to the Publication Local Plan which completed on the 18 December 2020.

Members considered the contents of the presentation which was delivered covering each section of the Local Plan in turn. Members asked questions to Officers and sought further details on the consultation responses where appropriate.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Executive Member for Planning and Development Councillor S Martin took part in discussions on this item.

A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To consider a presentation from the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development to provide a general update on prevailing planning strategy matters. This update will include information on the results of the Housing Delivery Test published in January 2021.

The Panel received a presentation form the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development, Gayle Wootton updating Members on aspects of Planning Strategy that are significant but do not require an individual report for consideration.

The presentation began with an update on the Council’s current Housing Delivery Test position. Members expressed their concerns over the details provided which showed a pessimistic outlook. The main point of discussion for Members of the Panel was that the Government’s targets have not reflected the nitrate neutrality issue which will have a significant detrimental effect on the Council’s ability to meet the Housing Delivery Test going forward. Officers explained that - until a sustainable, long term nitrate mitigation strategy is in place, the Housing Delivery Test is going to be a concern for many years to come. Officers also explained that the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) have continued throughout the last two years to lobby Members of Parliament on this matter, but as yet no resolution has been identified.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Executive Member for Planning and Development Councillor S Martin took part in discussions on this item.

A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of Planning and Development Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual Members during the same time period.

No comments received.

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To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Planning and Development Panel.

The Chairman asked Members of the Panel to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel.

Members discussed a number of topics including; Welborne delivery prospects, particularly in relation to the funding and delivery of the J10 M27 improvement scheme; the anticipated impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the delivery of the Fareham Town Centre Vision and the likely need for future regeneration initiatives; and a number of Highway matters.

It was agreed that Officers would provide an update on the delivery of Welborne and the delivery of the Fareham Town Centre Vision as appropriate within the 2021/22 municipal year. Officers also advised that through consultation with the Chairman an invitation would be sent to Hampshire County Council to attend a future meeting of the Panel to update on the South East Hampshire Rapid Transit (SEHRT) project.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel:-

(a)  considered the Scrutiny Priorities;

(b)  asked Officers to schedule Updates on the delivery of Welborne and the delivery of the Fareham Town Centre Vision and associated regeneration as appropriate within the 2021/22 municipal year; and

(c)   asked Officers, in consultation with the Chairman, to invite Hampshire County Council to a future meeting of the Panel to update on the South East Hampshire Rapid Transit project.