Agenda and draft minutes

Resolved – That Councillor Rollo of Preston City Council be appointed as Chair for this meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited those present to introduce themselves.

The Chair then told the Committee that this meeting would be the last one attended by John Dalton, Head of Planning and Housing at South Ribble Borough Council, due to his impending retirement.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Swindells (Preston City Council), Councillor Shannon (Preston City Council), County Councillor Johnston (Lancashire County Council) and County Councillor Howarth (Lancashire County Council).

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held in Chorley on 27 March 2013.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Central Lancashire Local Development Framework Joint Advisory Committee held on 27 March 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To advise on a review of the terms of reference (report enclosed).

The Assistant Director (City Planning Officer – Preston) submitted a report providing details of proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Joint Advisory Committee for report to each constituent authority.

It was reported that the terms of reference for the Joint Advisory Committee were established in 2008 with the specific intention of progressing the Central Lancashire Core Strategy to adoption.  The completion of that work and the focus of attention on three additional areas, including S110 of The Localism Act 2011, City Deal II and Central Lancashire as a self-contained area for strategic housing matters and travel to work, meant that a review of the terms of reference was required.

If agreed, the new terms of reference, as set out in paragraph 8 of the report, would form part of a Supplementary Agreement to be drawn up by solicitors and would require approval by all three Councils. 

The Assistant Director said that Lancashire County Council (LCC) presently sat on the Joint Advisory Committee as observers, however, due to the changing issues LCC would be invited to sit as full members.  It was also reported that for some topics relating to City Deal II Chorley members would be expected to abstain from voting, however, input into discussions from Chorley members would still be encouraged.

Chorley Members confirmed that they would like to continue to express opinions on City Deal but were content with the non-voting arrangement in respect of that matter.

The Head of Planning (LCC) advised the Committee that LCC would be looking to appoint a Cabinet Member to the Joint Advisory Committee.

Members queried when the Supplementary Agreement would be ready to be submitted to each Council.  The Assistant Director (Preston) confirmed he would chase the matter up with Preston’s Legal Department.

Resolved – That the Joint Advisory Committee recommends to each constituent authority that the terms of reference be replaced as set out in section 8 of the report.

To advise members on work undertaken in relation to this topic (minute 34 of 27 March 2013 refers) (report enclosed).

The Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy (Chorley) submitted a report providing details on the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation needs assessment (GTAA) currently being undertaken for the Central Lancashire Authorities, Preston, Chorley and South Ribble.

The assessment was commissioned in July 2013 and the results were expected in November 2013.  The up to date assessment would assist in determining the housing needs for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople in the Central Lancashire area and inform the approach taken in the development of the respective Local Plans and related Development Plan documents.

The assessment was being undertaken by Arc 4 Ltd following a tender exercise and the company was deemed to have a good methodology.

The report set out the GTAA Study Timetable and it was noted that a further report on this should be available for the next meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee on 17 December 2013.

Resolved – That the report and update be noted.

A verbal update will be given on progress made with the City Deal II bid.

The Assistant Director (City Planning Officer – Preston) reported on City Deal II recently signed on 12 September 2013.  He said the unprecedented £334m Infrastructure Delivery Programme would allow opportunities for the development of homes, jobs, schools and major highways schemes, amongst many other things.  The Programme was also dependent on CIL and developer contributions and that a 10 year transport allocation, rather than a four year one, was key to its success.  

The Head of Planning (LCC) said that in addition to the major schemes there was also major infrastructure dealing with gateways, public realm and transport.  He said that although roads would dominate it was a much broader programme with an additional City Deal Investment Fund consisting of a £100m local allocation from the Lancashire Pension Fund.  He confirmed that there were many funding sources guaranteed through City Deal but there was much work to do. 

Councillor Hughes said that South Ribble would be pushing for the bridge work to be undertaken across the River Ribble and the Council would be looking for support from City Deal partners as well as the Fylde Coast and Blackpool.

Concern was raised regarding resources required by the authorities whilst delivering City Deal.  The Head of Planning (LCC) confirmed that resourcing was high on the agenda and that a dedicated team was already in place to deliver the Programme which was being approached on a project basis.

Resolved – That the update reports be noted.

A verbal update will be given on this item.

The Head of Planning (LCC) gave an update on the Central Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan Implementation.  He said that attention and resources had been directed at supporting City Deal II since the Masterplan was published and meetings had taken place on the soundness and credibility of the deal with many Government Departments. 

The Head of Planning said that funding now came from the Local Transport Board, Transport for Lancashire, and that a six year deal had been confirmed with an indicative four year deal in addition.  The schemes had been prioritised and two within the City Deal Masterplan were to receive a significant amount of funds, these are:-

•           Preston West Distributor

•           Broughton By-Pass

Furthermore, the Head of Planning (LCC) said that whilst the Penwortham By-Pass was to be funded through the wider City Deal, Broughton By-Pass was continuing with its funding arrangements and he was fairly confident that the scheme would be partly funded through developer contributions which would then release more money from City Deal. 

A number of updates were given on schemes at Junction 1 of the M55, the A582 and the Preston Western Distributor.

Members asked questions relating to the potential diversion of the Guild Wheel away from D’Urton Lane, provision of written updates for affected local Parish Councils and traffic being diverted onto other ‘A’ roads causing congestion elsewhere.

The Head of Planning (LCC) said that priority corridors had been highlighted and there was much more work to be done in that area.  He also said that in terms of planning applications which had been received, consideration had been given to the wider network.

Resolved – That the update report be noted.

A verbal update will be given on this item.

Reports from each Council were given on the current position relating to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL):-

Chorley Borough Council

The Director of Partnerships, Planning and Policy reported that Chorley had adopted its CIL Levy on 16 July 2013 and charging commenced on 1 September 2013.  She said an Instalments Policy had been published and approved by Cabinet for implementation.  The Director said that planning application performance had suffered as there had been a rush to sign Section 106 agreements and secure a grant of permission before the Council implemented CIL.  It was intended that the figures submitted to Government would be accompanied by a note explaining the recent dip in that performance.

South Ribble Borough Council

The Planning Manager advised that South Ribble had also seen an influx in applications for the quarter prior to the introduction of their CIL and a similar reduction in performance.

Preston City Council

The Assistant Director (City Planning Officer) reported that Preston’s CIL was due to commence on 30 September 2013.

Resolved – That the update reports be noted.

A verbal update will be given on this item.

District Councils updated the meeting on the progression of their Local Plans:-

Preston City Council

It was reported that the Local Plan would be published on 30 September 2013 and subject to a consultation period ending on 25 November 2013 prior to submission to the Secretary of State and the Inspector in spring 2014.  Consultation would also start shortly on the preferred options on the City Centre Plan. It was also envisaged that the Supplementary Planning Document for the North West Preston Masterplan, which was part of City Deal II, would be adopted by the end of 2013.

South Ribble Borough Council

The Local Plan Independent Examination was held in March 2013.  The main concern was Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation and the available evidence to demonstrate the needs of the borough.  Work on the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation assessment was continuing as per the agreed timetable.  Consultation on modifications to the Local Plan took place from June to August 2013 and a further 12 responses were received.  An interim report from the Inspector was anticipated in the next 10 days.

Chorley Borough Council

Consultation had taken place on modifications and the Examination was re-opened by the Inspector in relation to re-housing figures.  An interim report was due mid-October.  The Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation assessment was being worked on as per the agreed timetable.

Resolved – That the updates be noted.

The Chair invited the Assistant Director (City Planning Officer – Preston) to say a few words on behalf of the Joint Advisory Committee.

Mr Hayward expressed sincere thanks to Mr John Dalton, Head of Planning and Housing at South Ribble Borough Council, for his huge support on strategic matters in Central Lancashire over many years.  He said Mr Dalton was a major factor in driving partnership working which contributed greatly to the continued success of the Committee and overall joint working in Central Lancashire and he would be greatly missed.

The Committee wished Mr Dalton very best wishes for his retirement.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 5.30 pm on Tuesday 17 December 2013 at South Ribble Borough Council Offices.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 5.30 pm on Tuesday 17 December 2013 at South Ribble Borough Council Offices.