Meeting documents

To approve the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development PAG held on 13 September 2018

The minutes of the Planning and Economic Development PAG held on 13 September 2018 were approved.

There were no declarations of interest.

Adrian Colwell had been appointed Planning Policy Manager and was a welcome addition to the team.  He had extensive experience at Cherwell District Council working on the East/West Cambs/Oxon link.  This experience would be useful for work being undertaken on the Iver relief road and Beaconsfield relief road.

The Chairman advised the meeting of the Economic Development team’s annual event that was well attended and good feedback had been received.

Although there had been an announcement about the formation of a new Unitary Council, there was still a requirement to set a budget for 2019/20 in the normal way.  An additional provision would have to be made for the costs of transition to the new Council which would be set in February 2019, when there was more clarity about the transition process. 

A potential funding gap had been identified and the Task and Finish Group had considered actions to address this.  It was noted that some fees and charges were Statutory and couldn’t be changed locally and so income from these was expected to stay the same.

The reasons for the increases compared to the current year’s budget were discussed as outlined on page 11.  With regard to the LDF in other changes, it was explained that although it looked like a £50k cost against the LDF, it was actually due to a reduction in the draw from the LDF earmarked reserves.

The key risks identified included potential income not being achieved or the cost of enforcement action being higher than expected.  These costs could fluctuate.  The recommendations of the task and finish group were noted and that the Local Plan had still not been completed which would help with addressing affordable housing and planning policy team requirements.

Officers were asked about the transport related costs listed in the appendix on page 16.  It was advised that the previous budget had been understated and that the income from the Building Control service covered these costs.

Members asked if they would see the revised charges from April 2019/20, as these were not listed in the appendix on pages 27 to 29.  It was advised that they were still being worked out and would go to Cabinet by the end of 2018.  The Chairman agreed to share the charges with Members of the Committee by email when they became available.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the following item(s) of business is not for publication to the press or public on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the following item(s) of business is not for publication to the press or public on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Members are asked to consider and comment on the attached Cabinet report.

The report sought to inform Members of the opportunities to obtain funding from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Economy Fund (BLEF). It was agreed that a further report would be brought back to the PAG in March 2019.