STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS PANEL
24 February 2006
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
N K Brook (sub for A D Dodd), R S Clements, D J Drake, D S Drury, A F Hunter, J T Metcalf, P A Ruffles, R Thomas (Chairman), C J White
Executive Members
D A Ashley
D Beatty
S J Pile
Other Members in Attendance
T G M Kent
R G Prowse
A M R Searing
Officers
Roger Pellman - BAA
Ian Kirkland - BAA
J Tiley (Head of Forward Planning)
S Bailes (Special Projects Officer)
J Pryor (Head of Regeneration & Partnerships)
S Nelson (Team Leader)
K Shephard (Project Leader LPSA 2)
S.Davidson( Head of County Development)
J Reeves ( Team Leader – Minerals and Waste Policy)
N Terry (Democratic Services Officer)
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Declaration of interest noted from Chris White as Deputy Chairman of EERA.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2006 were agreed subject to John Metcalf showing as in attendance at the meeting.
3. CONSULTATION BY BAA ON THE LOCATION OF A PROPOSED SECOND RUNWAY AT STANSTED (GENERATION 2)
Roger Pellman and Ian Kirkland delivered a presentation to the Panel on the proposed second runway at Stansted (a copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes).
Following the presentation a discussion took place which identified the following points:
· Are the predicted capacity requirements for 2030 realistic?
The Panel were informed that aviation is a maturing market with an expected growth of 5% per year. BAA forecast growth at 3.5% per annum.
· Are there any differences between the safety of the segregated and mixed mode options?
It was noted that all options are safe as all options must adhere to stringent CAA guidelines.
· Are there expected to be any problems for air traffic controllers?
The current advice from NATS is there will be no problems with Air Traffic Control as they will be able to provide safe air space. NATS are reviewing air space in the Luton/Stansted area and may proposes changes to the existing flight paths in a consultation exercise in 07/08.
· What changes are proposed for rail facilities and local roads?
The Panel were informed that the intention is to create an agreed Road & Rail Strategy. Rail facilities will require an increase to capacity, with some advantages for expanding the current station rather than creating a second. This is work in progress.
· Liverpool Street Line is currently choked up by Stansted passengers.
There will be discussion between Stansted and the Department for Transport (DfT) and it is in the DfT’s interest to get as large a contribution as possible.
· What are the measurable impacts on air quality?
BAA have looked at EU limit values and none of the proposed options exceed the limits. BAA will work closely with the DfT to ensure their limits in regards to night flights are not exceeded.
The Panel agreed the HCC draft response reflects our position very well, and with amendments would be sent as a joint response from the 4 Authorities( Hertfordshire, Essex, East Herts and Uttlesford)
4. MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – WASTE CORE
STRATEGY STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND
SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL (SEA/SA)
Julie Reeve presented a report updating the Panel on the progress of the Core Strategy Preferred Options Document and the implications arising from the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal (SEA/SA).
The Panel agreed the recommendations put forward in the report.
5. MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – ADOPTION OF THE
MINERALS LOCAL PLAN REVIEW
Sue Davidson presented a report considering the responses to the consultation on the Proposed Modifications to the Minerals Local Plan Review and recommend to the Executive Member a version of the Plan for Adoption to be considered by Cabinet and full Council.
Following discussion the Panel agreed the proposed modifications and recommended the plan to the Executive Member.
6. MINERALS & WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Sue Davidson presented a report considering the statement of community involvement.
Members acknowledged some of the difficulties in communicating with the people of Hertfordshire highlighted in Appendix 2 of the report., and made suggestions for future consultation stages.
The Panel agreed the recommendations put forward in the report.
7. HERTFORDSHIRE WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – SITE SELECTION STUDY UPDATE
A report was presented by Julie Reeve updating the Panel on the progress of the site selection study following the community engagement exercise and outlining the next stages of the process.
The Panel discussed the consultation and number of written responses received from the public. Issues regarding site accessibility, highway capacity and accessibility plans were also considered.
A final draft of the report will be presented to the Panel in March 2006.
8. RESPONSE TO ODPM CONSULTATION ON LOCAL STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
Sue Nelson presented a report providing information on the ODPM’s consultation document ‘Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) Shaping their Future’.
The following comments were noted during the ensuing discussion:
· Members were not convinced that MPs should be involved at LSP level, although it was suggested that MPs could link local issues with those in Whitehall.
· The Panel considered the 10 District LSPs and the varying effectiveness of them across the county.
· The lack of significant business involvement on the LSP was raised as an issue.
The views put forward by the Panel were noted and it was agreed that a final draft of the report come back to SP3 at a future meeting.
9. LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT FOR HERTFORDSHIRE
Keith Shephard presented a report headlining the outcomes / targets being pursued at the core of the Agreement.
The Panel were informed about the Performance Reward Grant of £30m for Hertfordshire for the funding of Partnership Work. Details of the grant were included on page 5 of the report.
· Members asked whether targets will be tweaked?
It was noted that targets need to measurable as it will be important for Hertfordshire to b e clear what we have achieved so the Government Grant can be justified.
Officers informed the Panel that they would seek to engage all Members in this process.
10. CONSULTATION PAPER ON A NEW PLANNING POLICY STATEMENT 3
(PPS3) HOUSING
Jon Tiley presented a report to the Panel.
Officers informed the Panel that a key aspect of this planning policy will be in the detail of assessing housing markets. Concerns exist that the environment may get played down in response to housing demand.
The Panel agreed with the recommendations in section three of the report.
11. PLANNING GAIN SUPPLEMENT CONSULTATION
Jon Tiley introduced a report to the Panel.
The Panel were informed about Government thinking on planning obligations post Barker Review and provided with information to respond to the Government consultation on Planning Gain Supplement (PGS).
Members identified a need to guarantee that money collected by the treasury under the new system would be redirected to HCC.
The Panel thanked officers for their work in this area and agreed the recommendations put forward in the report should form the major points of the Council’s response.
12. CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE PROPOSALS FOR INTRODUCING A CODE
FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES (ODPM DECEMBER 2005)
Jon Tiley presented a report providing details of a consultation for a code to make the development of homes more sustainable.
Officers identified the main problems with the code as:
· The code is a voluntary code for builders to follow
· There are alternative codes that are better
· The code is only applicable to new homes.
The Panel noted the points raised in the report.
13. EiP UPDATE
Jon Tiley provided members with a verbal update on recent developments linked to EiP.
The Panel were informed that
· a note on the timing of the next stages of the RSS process would be circulated
· the EiP panel anticipated completing their report by mid June
· a report will come to the SP3 Panel once the EiP Panel report is published...
14. THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO KATE BARKER’S REVIEW OF
HOUSING SUPPLY
A briefing note was circulated to Members in advance of the meeting for this item.
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060224 SP3 Minutes