Resolved (unanimously) that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15 November 2022 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No declarations of interests were made.

The Mayor updated members on her fundraising activities and charity events, including a Christmas tea dance. 

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor thanked Gary Hall for his hard work and commitment to the Council, particularly his time as Chief Executive and wished him all the best for his retirement.

Members, including the Leader of the Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Alan Cullens, Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Peter Wilson, and Councillor Aidy Riggott joined the Mayor in thanking Gary for his service. 

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the relevant Councillor. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question.

To view the procedure for public questions/ speaking click here and scroll to page 119

There were no public questions for consideration.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The Part One Preferred Options Paper along with the requisite supporting documents are currently being drafted.  This has involved a significant volume of work in a relatively short space of time, with input across officers from three Councils, and so we appreciate Elected Members patience in this being made available.

The Council report along with a word version of the Part One Preferred Options Document will be published no later than Tuesday, 6 December 2022.  The full designed version of the consultation paper will be published by Friday, 9 December 2022.

1.         To approve the Part One Central Lancashire Local Plan Consultation document (Appendix One) for consultation purposes

2.         To note the supporting document The Site Selection Process; Housing and Employment Land Paper for publication (Appendix Two)

3.         To approve the refreshed Local Development Scheme (Appendix Three) for publication

4.         To note the draft Schedule of Consultation Events (Appendix Four)

5.         To approve the process of consultation being undertaken for a period of ten weeks starting on Monday 19th December 2022 and closing on Friday 24th February 2023

6.         To note this is the next steps in an emerging new Central Lancashire Local Plan and is therefore a material consideration for Development Management purposes to be afforded weight such as that determined by the decision maker.

7.         To acknowledge the publication of the Written Ministerial Statement from The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP on 6th December 2022 regarding suggestions to make possible further changes to the planning system, alongside the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The statement does not represent a change to legislation or national policy and therefore the Central Lancashire Councils remain committed to progressing a new local plan, recognising that as and when changes are implemented by Government, our proposed policies relating to housing need and proposals around housing supply, may be required to change. It is confirmed the Council will respond to any consultation on any proposals for changes.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval to consult on Part One of a two stage Preferred Options version of the Central Lancashire Local Plan together with its associated documents and evidence base.  Chorley, South Ribble and Preston Councils would consider the same recommendations for approval throughout this week. 

National Government policy require all local planning authorities to have an up to date local planning policy in place.  It also requires it to be reviewed every 5 years. National legislation, policy and guidance sets out a prescriptive process for developing a new Local Plan.  The Core Strategy was now over 10 years old and the individual Local Plans were over 7 years old.

The preferred Options consultation was proposed to be undertaken in two stages, this initial Part One version being focused on the strategic components of the plan including the overall vision and objectives.  It also included site allocation proposals for housing and employment, which were advanced in site assessment, although may still be subject to change as the plan progresses.  A Part Two Preferred Options Consultation which would comprise of a full draft Local Plan, was proposed to be undertaken in Summer 2023.

A ministerial statement had been released last week and an additional recommendation had been circulated to acknowledge this. 

Members debated the proposals, including Councillors Peter Wilson, Alistair Morwood, Mark Clifford, John Walker, Jean Sherwood, Debra Platt, Aidy Riggott, Martin Boardman, James Nevett, Alan Whittaker, Alan Cullens, Sam Chapman, Hasina Khan, Aaron Beaver and Terry Howarth. 

Members noted the need to have a plan in place to control development, to build houses for people and the cost of living crisis.  Residents and members were passionate about development in their own areas, consultation on the proposals was required and noted intervention by central government in terms of planning inquiries and inspectors. 

The plan making process was discussed, with the complexities around this and tight timescales to publish the documentation for this meeting.  Discussions had been ongoing within the Local Plan Working Group and the Central Lancashire Joint Advisory Group for some months. 

The need for sustainable development, infrastructure, to protect the greenbelt and the calculation used to determine the housing need were debated. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Alan Cullens, requested a recorded vote. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (by majority 24:11:2)

1.         To approve the Part One Central Lancashire Local Plan Consultation document (Appendix One) for consultation purposes,

2.         To note the supporting document The Site Selection Process; Housing and Employment Land Paper for publication (Appendix Two),

3.         To approve the refreshed Local Development Scheme (Appendix Three) for publication,

4.         To note the draft Schedule of Consultation Events (Appendix Four),

5.         To approve the process of consultation being undertaken for a period of ten weeks starting on Monday 19th December 2022 and closing on Friday 24th February 2023,

6.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Councillor Mark Clifford to fill the vacant seat on the Equality Forum.

The Mayor advised she had accepted one item of urgent business to allow the vacant position on the Equality Forum to be filled. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (unanimously)

That Councillor Mark Clifford fill the vacant seat on the Equality Forum.