Meeting documents

To approve the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development PAG held on 8 January 2020

The minutes of the Planning and Economic Development PAG held on 8 January 2020 were approved.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no updates from Members/Senior Officers.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the following item(s) of business is not for publication to the press or public on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the following item(s) of business is not for publication to the press or public on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The PAG considered a report which provided an update on the HS2 project, set out the Council’s work on the project, updated the Additional Mitigation Projects being delivered through the Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, updated resources and expenditure and the proposals for the project under the new unitary authority from 1st April 2020.

In response to questions from members, it was clarified that around 8 out of the 16 Additional Mitigation Projects affected areas in the South Bucks area. Many projects were long term. As the grants for these projects have been allocated, they would not be affected by the formation of the New Buckinghamshire Council. It was reported that officers were having quarterly meetings with stakeholders to oversee delivery of these projects.

Members and Officers were awaiting the outcome of the Oakervee review. It was noted that while the enabling works for HS2 continued, building work for HS2 had not commenced as Notice to Proceed had not been received. It was advised that while HS2 would not release figures of compensation paid to owners in the district and therefore officers did not have this information. 

The Colne Valley Viaduct Schedule 17 application (5.11) was now due to be determined 17^th February 2020, having been delayed to allow for responses to the consultation. Officers were still awaiting a response from HS2 with regards to the issue of glare from the construction of Colne Valley Viaduct.

Under the new Buckinghamshire Council Unitary Authority, it was advised that a new HS2 team would bring together Officers from each of the constituent councils. These Officers would be retained for at least 6 months.

The Chairman expressed his gratitude to Members and Officers for their hard work as this was the last meeting of the South Bucks District Council Planning and Economic Development Policy Advisory Group.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report and progress made on the project be noted.

2.    That the programme for the continued work on the project under the new unitary authority be noted.