MEMORANDUM April 2009

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To: All Members of the Panel,
Derrick Ashley, Stuart Pile,
John Wood, Jon Tiley, Paul Donovan, Sue Davidson, Bethan Clemence, / From: County Secretary’s Department
Ask for: David Roberts
Ext: 25562
My ref:
Your ref:

PLANNING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS CABINET PANEL

7 APRIL 2009

M I N U T E S

ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

N E Agar, D A Ashley (Executive Member, Planning, External Relations and Waste) M V Bayes, C L Berry, P T J Channell, R S Clements (Chairman), A D Dodd, D J Drake, S Drury, B C Engel, J T Metcalf, P A Ruffles, D T F Scudder.

Other Members present

W A Storey

Upon consideration of the agenda for the Planning and External Relations Cabinet Panel meeting on 7 April 2009 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:

PART 1

/ / ACTION /
1. /

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 10 February 2009 were confirmed as correct record.
2. / PUBLIC PETITIONS
There were none.
3. / HERTFORDSHIRE INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY (HISS)
(Officer contact: Jon Tiley Tel: 01992 556292 )
The Panel considered a report, and accompanying presentation, on the outcome of the work carried out by consultants on behalf of the Hertfordshire local authorities, to identify and cost the current infrastructure deficit in the County; the impact of growth proposed in the East of England Plan to 2021 and 2031; the infrastructure implications; and possible funding based on the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy.
Conclusions
The Panel recommended that Cabinet on 20 April:
(i) Notes the key conclusions of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Investment Strategy ( HIIS) report.
(ii) Agrees the topics for further work as set out in section 4 of this report.
(iii) Agrees that the HIIS Study be used as the basis for responses to further consultation on the Community Infrastructure Levy draft regulations, consultation on the draft Regional Implementation Plan, and that it be submitted as additional evidence to EERA in connection with the Review of the East of England Plan.
(iv) Agrees that the findings of HISS be used to reiterate to EERA and Govt. that growth in the County must be conditional on the adequate delivery of public funding for infrastructure.
(v) Notes with concern the conclusions of the study confirming the historic infrastructure deficit in the County, and agree that HCC should work together with the other key service providers in the County to attempt to address these issues.
4. / CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE
(Officer contact: Bethan Clemence Tel: 01992 556296)
The Panel noted the update on the County Council’s climate change work programme.
Members noted in particular that, as part of the new Comprehensive Area Assessment inspection regime, the Council’s use of natural resources would be assessed. Officers had submitted a self-assessment with an estimated score of 3 to 4 (well above minimum requirements).
Arising from discussion on the climate change work programme, a Member queried whether savings achieved in schools would release money for the Council or remain ring-fenced to each school’s budget? / Bethan Clemence
5. / EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN REVIEW TO 2031
(Officer contact: Jon Tiley Tel: 01992 556292)
The Panel noted the report on progress with the Reviw of the East of England Plan to 2031.
The County Council’s legal challenge to the Approved Plan for due to be heard on the 18,18, and 20 May.
The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill was proceeding slowly through Parliament. Amendments had been put forward seeking to safeguard the role of strategic planning authorities in the preparation of the Single Regional Strategy but lacked Government support.
6. / UPDATE ON HOUSE BUILDING IN HERTFORDSHIRE
(Officer contact: Jon Tiley Tel: 01992 556292)
The Panel received a presentation on housing development monitoring in Hertfordshire showing net dwelling completions for 2008 and trends in the current year. It was noted that hardly any new developments were underway and District Councils’ forecasts predicted a 20% reduction in completions.

Andrew Laycock

County Secretary

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090407 per panel minutes