Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs J Needham.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 30 March 2023.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 30 March 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

No announcements were made by the Chairman.

To receive any 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 made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

No deputations were received at this meeting.

To receive a providing an overview of the Council’s Opportunities Plan and how the Year 1 project proposals relate to the Planning and Development Portfolio.

The Panel received a presentation from the Policy, Research and Engagement Manager providing an overview of the Council’s Opportunities Plan which is currently under development. The presentation focused on the Planning and Development Portfolio and the significant Year 1 project proposals which will be considered by the Executive on the 04 September 2023. A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

Members of the Panel asked several questions with regards to the Section 106 contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) received from developers, which are a key focus within the Year 1 proposals for the Planning and Development Portfolio. Members enquired about how and when these monies are collected and whether the charges are set nationally. Officers confirmed that CIL charges are paid in phases throughout a development with the first payments made on commencement. Section 106 contributions will be paid dependent on their purpose and this would be agreed and set out during the application process. It was confirmed to the Panel that the charges are set by the Council and that they are inline with other local authorities in the region.

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

To receive a presentation from the Coastal Partners on the various coastal projects and initiatives within the Fareham Borough.

The Panel received a presentation from the Coastal Partners which included an update on the service, maintenance of the day-to day Fareham Borough Council coastal assets, climate change and information on current projects. The presentation outlined to Members the key benefits of the partnership, highlighting that over £2.4m savings across the Partnership since April 2012. A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

A broad discussion took place with Members asking a variety of questions for clarification. One of the key focuses was around the funding for the projects outlined in the presentation and why more work isn’t focussed around protecting important footpaths and former landfill sites around the Solent. The Coastal Partners explained the challenges faced in securing central government funding, as the focus is primarily to protect property. Although the Borough is fortunate that a limited number of properties are at flood and erosion risk in the short term, this does limit the funding opportunities available. That said, a significant amount of work is carried out by the Coastal Partners to maximise all the funding streams available.

Members asked for further details on the staffing of the partnership, enquiring about the use of consultants and apprenticeships. The Coastal Partners explained that on occasion consultants are required to carry out complex technical studies such as flood modelling, but the use of consultants had decreased over the years as the skills within the team has developed. The partnership currently has 3 apprentice posts which are being recruited to, two student placements each year and also supports experience appointments.

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

To consider an update from the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development on prevailing planning strategy matters.

The Panel received a presentation from Planning Strategy officers providing a Planning Strategy Update, including an update on the and Local Development Schemes, an overview of the Council’s latest Authority Monitoring report and an overview of the Community Infrastructure Levy and Self Build and Custom Build Supplementary Planning Document, consultations which have recently completed. 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.

Members of the Panel were asked to note the Executive decision made since the last meeting of the Panel, that fall under the remit of the Planning and Development Portfolio.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

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

The Panel considered the priorities for the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel.

The Director of Planning and Regeneration addressed the Panel to confirm that the following items are currently scheduled to be brought to the next meeting: -

·         Welborne Delivery Update

·         Draft Affordable Housing SPD

·         Authority Monitoring Report 2022/23

Members enquired about when an update on the Opportunities Plan would be brought to the Panel for consideration. The Director of Planning and Regeneration explained that the plan will be monitored annually and details on how this will be updated to the Scrutiny Panels will be confirmed once the plan has been approved by the Executive in September.

RESOLVED that the Panel considered the Scrutiny Priorities.