Meeting documents

     PLANNING ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

     Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on

     26 January 1998

     PRESENT

     Cllr D E Done (in the Chair)

Cllr J M Blanksby

Cllr D J Coe

Cllr A Dunn

Cllr Mrs J E Gabbitas*

Cllr S H Graham

Cllr Mrs A E Hardy

Cllr M D Huddy

Cllr Mrs V A Letheren

Cllr Mrs C C Martens

Cllr P J Moore

Cllr R J Nagle

Cllr C B Oliver

Cllr Mrs K M Peatey MBE JP

Cllr D A C Shakespeare

Cllr Mrs J E Teesdale

(Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A A Dunford)

* Standing Deputies

1.     MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 1997  be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

2.     MINUTES - PLANNING APPLICATIONS PANEL

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Planning Applications Panel held on 5 and 26 November and 10 December 1997 be received.

The substantive Minutes discussed at the Planning, Environment and Transportation Panel were as follows:-

Minute No 11 - Development Guidelines for G Plan/Adkins Yard area, Spring Gardens, High Wycombe

Guidelines on layout and design approved and adopted as supplementary planning guidance.

Minutes No 12 - Dial-a-Ride Concessions

A limited number of national transport tokens to be issued annually to users of the Dial-a-Ride scheme on the basis of a smaller annual charge.

Minute No 13 - Issues Arising from the Wycombe Joint Transportation Strategy Panel on 24 November 1997

Comments on a range of issues including High Wycombe Town Centre pedestrianisation and enhancement scheme, development options for the station area (including busway), review of special parking area, updating the Transport Strategy, developer contributions: Wycombe Strategy area and Cressex Transport Partnership Project had been referred to Buckinghamshire County Council.

Minute No 14 - High Wycombe Railway Station Redevelopment - Draft Development Brief

Draft Development Brief approved subject to a number of detailed amendments.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning, Environment and Transportation Panel held on 1 December 1997 be received and the recommendation contained in Minute No 12 be approved and adopted.

Cllr Mrs P Priestley introduced the following Notice of Motion expressing concern at the Government=s Legislation to ban the sale of beef on the bone.  

AThis Council calls upon the Labour Government to reconsider as a matter of urgency its hasty and ill thought-out legislation banning beef on the bone from being sold in our butchers= shops, thus denying the public any freedom of choice.  Not only is it causing untold distress to the farmers, butchers and consumers in this district, but it is impractical and expensive for our Environmental Health Officers to enforce@.

Members discussed the Notice of Motion considering the introduction of the new legislation and the impact on the Council in terms of enforcement.

It was considered that the regulations would be difficult to enforce because they applied to bovine animals over the age of six months at slaughter with the need for animal passports.  Difficulties would also increase as meat moved through the wholesale and retail chains.

Difficulties would occur in the implementation of the regulations, with regard to the issue of the actual sale of beef on the bone as it would  be possible for such meat to be held on the same premises as the ultimate sale would occur.

An anomaly would also occur because European cattle that was banned at the point of sale could still be used for products such as gravy stock although UK bovine could not.

RECOMMENDED: (i)  That a letter be sent to the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Health expressing concern about enforcement of the Beef  Bones Regulations 1997 as outlined to the Committee;

(ii) that the appropriate Minister be requested to inform the public of an indicative timetable for the return to health of British beef as soon as possible; and

(iii) that the action being taken by the Council to raise the awareness to enforce the Beef Bones Regulations 1997 locally be supported.

5.     STRATEGIC PLAN -  CORPORATE ACTION PLANS 1998/99

The Committee was advised that corporate action plans had been compiled for each of the eight strategic aims contained in the Council=s approved Strategic Plan.  The Committee received and considered the action plans for the Environment and Transport and Members made comments and suggested amendments.

RESOLVED: (i) That the following amendments be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee:-

(a) Business Unit Managers/Business Units to be included under lead responsibility rather than codes;

(b)  Reference to be made to whether or not actions were statutory or non-statutory;

(c) Page 7-11 under 7.1 through the Joint Member Transportation Panel, the following bullet point to be added:-

(d) Consideration to be given to the inclusion of positive performance measures eg number of trees preserved, number of buildings listed; and

(ii) that the 1998/99 Corporate Action Plans for the Environment and Transportation Strategic Aims be approved as submitted and referred to the Planning, Environment and Transportation Panel for monitoring purposes.

6.     REVENUE ESTIMATES

The Committee received the 1998/99 Revenue Estimates which had been submitted for Members= consideration.

The Estimates information was presented in an improved format which, in addition to providing the basic income and expenditure figures for each service, aimed to put the figures into a wider context by comparing them with published performance indicators and benchmarks.

Comparative figures for 1997/98 and 1998/99 were submitted in their main components showing details of significant variances between the years.

The Committee was in support of the Estimates as submitted for referral to the Policy and Resources Committee.

Members discussed the Planning Enforcement Service and views were expressed that an additional member of staff was required.  It was therefore proposed that an urgent report be submitted to the Planning, Environment and Transportation Panel describing the nature of the Enforcement Service and identifying the issues it faces.  This would enable the Panel to consider the implications of funding of an additional Planning Enforcement Officer in the sum of ,25,000 and report its views to the Policy and Resources Committee for consideration in conjunction with this Committee=s conclusions.

RESOLVED: (i)  That the Policy & Resources Committee be requested to accept:-

(a) the Planning, Environment and Transportation Committee=s Estimate for 1998/99 in the sum of ,6,516,500;

(b) this Committee=s fixed term Strategic Service Improvement of ,86,900; and

(c) the ongoing Strategic Service Improvement for 1998/99 of ,30,000; and

(ii) that the Policy and Resources Committee be requested to approve the inclusion of an additional ,25,000 in the 1998/99 Revenue Estimates to fund the appointment of an additional Enforcement Officer in the Directorate of Planning, Transport and Development.

7.     LEISURE 21 - A PLAN FOR LEISURE - FINAL DRAFT

The Committee received details of the final draft of Leisure 21 - A Plan for Leisure.  Details of the issues that could impact on the work of the Committee  were reported and the role of Leisure 21 in relation to the private, public and voluntary sectors was outlined.

The Committee was also advised of the relationship of Leisure 21 -  A  Plan for Leisure to the Wycombe District Local Plan and the Local Plan process, sustainable leisure and green space.

RESOLVED:  That the actions contained in Leisure 21 - A Plan for Leisure, relating to this Committee=s area of responsibility be approved.

The Committee was advised of the work being undertaken by the County Council in respect of their review of the replacement Minerals Local Plan for Buckinghamshire.  The general aims of the review were:-

(i)  to keep mineral extraction to a necessary minimum;

(ii) to direct extraction to places where it could best be accommodated; and

(iii) to ensure the high quality restoration of mineral sites.

The Review encouraged the recycling of aggregates and the impact of minerals from outside the County, in order to supplement local land  - worn supply.

The Review did not contain any new proposals for specific sites and did not identify any further extraction sites for the Wycombe District area.

The Committee considered the County Council=s proposals in updating the Plan but felt that the Revised Plan would not have any direct or immediate impact on the District.

RESOLVED:  That proposals for the Review of the Replacement Minerals Local Plan for Buckinghamshire be supported on the basis that the Review did not have any direct or immediate implications for the District.

The Committee received and considered the draft Rural Strategy prepared by the Local Government Association.  Members commented on various aspects of the Strategy including the role of Regional Development Agencies, the Welfare to Work Initiative, European policies including structural funds and common agricultural policy, the issue of rural disadvantage, transport in rural areas, the environment, provision of service and finance.

RESOLVED:  That the Local Government Association=s statement on rural strategy be welcomed subject to this Committee=s comments being noted as outlined in the report.

(Cllr Mrs K M Peatey MBE JP requested that her name be recorded as voting against the resolution).

10.     PRINCES RISBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE STUDY

The Committee received details of the draft Princes Risborough Town Centre Study which had been drawn up following two Town Centre workshops and was advised that following approval a public consultation exercise would be undertaken.

The objectives recommended in the Study were:-

!    

Members considered the draft Study and commented on various issues.

The Committee emphasised the need to publicise the public consultation exercise and views were expressed that it should be advertised through Community News.  It was also felt that surrounding Parish Councils should be consulted.

RESOLVED: (i) That the draft Town Centre Study for Princes Risborough be approved for public consultation purposes subject to:

(a) the amendment of page 2 paragraph 3 by the deletion of the word Ahowever@ and the addition of the word Awhich@: and

(b) the amendment of page 2 - Objectives for the Town Centre by transposing objectives one and two; and

(ii) that the consultation exercise be advertised in Community News and that surrounding Parish Councils be notified.

11.     FOOD SAFETY FOLLOWING THE PENNINGTON REPORT

Following the publication of the results of Pennington Report the Government had adopted various recommendations to increase the level of food safety in high risk premises and to accelerate the implementation of the food safety control system based on hazard analysis.  It was considered that the proposed changes would have implications both in terms of the Council=s enforcement role and an increased level of food inspections.  It had therefore been necessary to make provision for an additional ,10,000 in the 1998/99 Revenue Estimates to cover the costs of the extra work involved.

RESOLVED:  That the sum of ,10,000 from within the 1998/99 Revenue Budget be agreed to meet the additional cost of providing the Council=s Food Hygiene Inspection Service.

Details of the Document Management Strategy for the Directorate of Planning, Transport and Development were reported together with proposals for the purchase of the following equipment:-

Members were advised of the need for a document management system noting that the benefits included shorter search times, and ease and safety of storage.

RESOLVED:  That approval be given for the purchase of the listed initial system elements from within the Service Improvement Provision agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee on 10 February 1997 in the sum of ,25,000 in order to progress the Document Management System.

Members were reminded that the Council had been selected as one of four local authorities to participate in a one-stop shop for business initiative pilot project on behalf of the Department of the Environment from 1 October 1996 to May 1997.

The key elements of the initiative were:

Members supported the future development of the project noting that additional funding would be required to resource the facility.

RESOLVED:  That approval be given to the funding of part of a Development Control Officer post, and part of an Economic Development Officer post from the Service Improvement Provision agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee on 10 February 1997,  in order to progress the One-Stop Shop Initiative, at a total cost of ,25,000, to include staffing costs and alterations to the reception area in the Directorate of Planning, Transport and Development.

The Committee received a detailed report on proposals for the removal of unauthorised traveller encampments.  The current system was administered by the Council with action being taken in respect of unauthorised encampments on private and Council owned land.  The Environmental Services Division provided this service to other divisions managing land and to private land owners with a fixed fee of ,250.

The Committee was asked to consider the proposal that this area of work be transferred to the Buckinghamshire County Council in order to free staff time for other activities.

Members considered the possibility of a change to the service noting that a small delay could occur in the County Council=s service at the time of reporting of the offence, however, in all other areas the service would remain the same.  It would also reflect the service provided in other districts in Buckinghamshire.

Members discussed the issue in detail but considered that the current service provided by the District Council offered the best form of enforcement and value for money for residents of the District.

RESOLVED:  That the  Buckinghamshire County Council be informed that this Council wishes to continue to take on the work associated with the removal of unauthorised traveller encampments  in Wycombe District.

15.     INFORMATION SHEETS

The Committee received Information Sheets distributed since the last meeting.  (Issue Nos: 96/97, 4/98, 5/98 and 6/98).

16.     FILE ON ACTION TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

The Committee received the file on action taken under delegated powers since the last meeting.  (File Sheet Nos: 42 - 45).

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:  That pursuant to Section 100A(4) the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute No 66 because of its reference to matters which contain exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1-15 Part 1 Schedule 12A of the aforementioned Act more particularly as follows:-

Paragraph 1 - Staffing

Paragraph 12 - Legal Proceedings

The Committee received and considered details of a complaint by Mr Simmonds of Primrose Hill, Widmer End.

RESOLVED: That (i) the complaint made be rejected and that no further action be taken; and

(ii) the detailed investigation report on the complaint be referred to the Committee Briefing Group for perusal.

(Cllrs A Dunn, P J Moore, C B Oliver and Mrs K M Peatey MBE JP requested that their names be recorded as voting against the resolution).

STANDING ORDER 11.5(a)

As the meeting was still in progress at 10.30pm, in accordance with Standing Order 11.5(a) a vote was taken on whether the meeting should continue.

RESOLVED: That the meeting continue to the conclusion of business.

(The Meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 11.05pm)

     __________

     CHAIRMAN

The following Officers were in attendance at the meeting:

Mr C A Swanwick     -     Director of Planning, Transport and Development

Mr M J Barrett     -     Assistant District Solicitor

Mrs J N F Child     -     Principal Administrator

Ms L Jackson     -     Urban Designer

Mr P Marston-Weston     -     Head of Leisure Services

Mr J Piddington     -     Head of Financial Services

Mr R Powell     -     Head of Engineering Services

Mrs B Watson     -     Senior Accountant

Mr I Westgate     -     Head of Environmental Services