Agenda and draft minutes

No apologies of absence were received.

Councillor P Whittle addressed the Panel to explain that he would need to leave the meeting at 7pm.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 18 September 2024.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 18 September 2024 be confirmed and siged as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcement –

Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel has an important role and I would just like to pay tribute to the decisions made by Fareham Borough Council through the hard work of officers and members (past and present) through strategic planning, scrutiny and due regard to the myriad of agreements which we will see evidence of tonight.  These have ensured infrastructure for Welborne was (and remains) a priority with the appropriate agreements and partnerships now bringing forward the vital M27 Junction 10 improvement recently announced.  Also, of note that Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts have brought forward Fareham Live Theatre which was also subject to close scrutiny and is now proving an extremely popular attraction for Fareham residents and the wider community.  This hard work will continue with the ongoing regeneration plans and we look forward to working together to ensure this too is delivered to further enhance the offer made within the Fareham Borough.

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.

No declarations of interest were made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

No deputations were received at this meeting.

To receive a report by the Director of Planning and Regeneration on the Council’s Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2023/24.

The Panel received a report from the Director of Planning and Regeneration on the Council’s annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS). The Council have prepared the IFS covering the period of April 2023 to March 2024 for consideration by the Panel before being published at the end of the year.

The Team Leader (Planning Strategy) presented the report and supporting slides to the Panel.

Members of the Panel asked a number of questions regarding the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 legal agreements to ensure a clear understanding of the differences between them. Members also asked questions about how the financial contributions pursuant to legal agreements and due through CIL are collected, how the financial contributions secured through Section 106 Legal agreements or CIL are spent and how the Council tracks the forward commitments of CIL contributions through the decision-making process. Members of the Panel were advised that the spending, monitoring and forward commitments of CIL was a matter for the Executive and the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel note the contents of the Infrastructure Funding Statement at Appendix A

To receive a report by the Director of Planning and Regeneration on the Council’s Annual Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) 2023/24.

The Panel received a report from the Director of Planning and Regeneration on the Council’s annual Authority Monitoring Report (AMR). The purpose of an AMR is to scrutinise and report on the implementation and performance of the Council’s planning policies as set out in the adopted Local Plan. The Council have prepared the 18th AMR, covering the period of April 2023 to March 2024.

The Team Leader (Planning Strategy) presented the report and supporting slides to the Panel who was praised by the Panel for providing a detailed overview of content of the AMR.

Members of the Panel discussed the contents of the AMR at length asking questions for clarification around various elements of the document. A question was asked about how the Council’s employment floorspace figures compared to neighbouring authorities as Members suggested that it would be useful to know this information by way of a comparison. Officers agreed to investigate this and provide this information to Members shortly.

Councillor P Whittle left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel note the contents of the Authority Monitoring Report at Appendix A

To consider an update from the Head of Planning on prevailing planning strategy matters.

The Panel received the regular Planning Strategy presentation from the Team Leader (Planning Strategy) which provided an opportunity to communicate to members of the Panel relevant updates pertaining to Planning Strategy matters. These comprised the Partnership for South Hampshire Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund, the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, the Bird Aware Solent Revised Strategy and the New Forest Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy.

Councillor Mrs L Birkett left the meeting during discussions on this item.

Members of the Panel enquired about the amount of land that will be required for the various environmental mitigation and improvement measures over the coming years and asked if this was being forecast by Officers of the Council. The Director of Planning and Regeneration addressed the Panel to explain that although potential future land allocation for housing (beyond the provisions of the adopted Local Plan) is not actively being considered at this time, this will be part of the Local Plan Review process in due course.

RESOLVED that 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.

The Panel were asked to consider the items of Executive Business.

No comments or questions were received.

No comments or questions were received.

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

The Director of Planning and Regeneration addressed the Panel to advise that Officers are proposing to bring the following items to the next meeting of the Panel: -

·         New Forest Recreational Disturbance Mitigation

·         Statement of Community Involvement

This will be alongside the standard Planning Strategy Update with the Chairman being consulted on the agenda nearer the time.

RESOLVED that the Panel considered the Planning and Development priorities.