Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Dr Ken Morris attended the meeting and spoke in relation to Goostrey and its designation as a Local Service Centre (LSC).

To consider the Cheshire East Local Plan Authority Monitoring Reports for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

That the Cheshire East Local Plan Authority Monitoring Reports for 2013/14 and 2014/15 be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning had been requested to approve the Cheshire East Local Plan Authority Monitoring Reports for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

These reports were the sixth and seventh Authority Monitoring Reports (AMRs) (previously known as the Annual Monitoring Report) produced by Cheshire East Council.  The reports contained factual information and were published to comply with the requirements of Section 35 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Regulation 34 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

RESOLVED:

That the Cheshire East Local Plan AMRs for 2013/14 and 2014/15 be approved by the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning.

To approve these documents for consultation, and the comments made by the Strategic Planning Board on 25 January 2017.

1.     That approval be given to the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document Issues Paper and Revised Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for six weeks of public consultation, alongside a ‘call for sites’ to inform the selection of any additional site allocations within the SADPD.

2.     That the comments made by Members on the Strategic Planning Board at its meeting on 25th January 2017 (Appendix C) be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning had been requested to approve the Site Allocations and Development Policies (“SADPD”) Issues Paper (Appendix A) and Revised Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (Appendix B) for six weeks of public consultation, alongside a ‘call for sites’ to inform the allocation of any further sites for development within the SADPD.

The SADPD was the second part of the Council’s Local Plan.  It would be prepared in the context of the strategic priorities and policies set out by the Local Plan Strategy (“LPS”), which was now at an advanced stage in its examination.  The SADPD would contain further site allocations as necessary to ensure that the overall development requirements, as set out in the LPS, were met along with further, detailed policies to guide planning application decision-making.

RESOLVED:

(1)That the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document Issues Paper and Revised Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for six weeks of public consultation be approved, alongside a ‘call for sites’ to inform the selection of any additional site allocations within the SADPD.

(2)That the comments made by Members on the Strategic Planning Board at its meeting on 25th January 2017 (Appendix C) be noted.

To consider these documents prior to consultation.

1.     That the Community Infrastructure Charging Levy Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule and initial Draft Regulation 123 List, as shown in Appendices A and B of the report, be endorsed for a six week period of public consultation.

2.     That the initial viability and infrastructure evidence, shown in Appendices C and D of the report, supporting the consultation on the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule, be noted.

3.     That it be noted that services have commenced the necessary business changes required to be in a position to collect, operate, enforce and distribute the Community Infrastructure levy on adoption.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning considered a progress update report on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).  The report outlined the latest position in developing the Community Infrastructure Levy (“CIL”) Charging Schedule and work undertaken by consultants, Keppie Massie, concerning the potential for introducing a CIL charge within Cheshire East.  The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning was also requested to give his endorsement to consult the public for six weeks on the CIL: Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule and initial Draft Regulation 123 list.

The consultation on the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule was the first of two consultations on a potential CIL charge for Cheshire East, to be followed by an Examination in Public expected towards the end of 2017.

The Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule represented the starting position of the Council in establishing a formal CIL Charge in the Borough formed by ‘appropriate and available evidence’ in the terms set out in Section 211 (7a) of the Planning Act 2008.  The importance of consultation and ongoing engagement was recognised at this early stage in the development of establishing a robust position to support a future CIL Charging Schedule in Cheshire East.

The Council recognised the importance of ‘quality of place’ in contributing to the economic wellbeing of an area and positively influencing and encouraging investment and jobs growth in the Borough.

The Local Plan Strategy would be a key vehicle in achieving this key Council objective, supported by the appropriate and timely provision of infrastructure.

The Community Infrastructure Levy would support infrastructure delivery and the intentions of the Local Plan Strategy, in driving quality of place whilst striking an appropriate balance between the level of CIL charge and economic viability to support continued investment in the Borough.

RESOLVED:

(1)That the Community Infrastructure Charging Levy Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule and initial Draft Regulation 123 List, as shown in Appendices A and B of the report, be endorsed for a six week period of public consultation.

(2)That the initial viability and infrastructure evidence, shown in Appendices C and D of the report, supporting the consultation on the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule, be noted.

(3)That it be noted that services have commenced the necessary business changes required to be in a position to collect, operate, enforce and distribute the Community Infrastructure levy on adoption.