Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 28^th October, 2020 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28^th October, 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Regeneration & Planning :

•           Economic Regeneration 

•           Planning including Local Plan

•           Conservation & Urban Design

•           Development & Building Control

•           Compulsory Purchase

•           Climate Change Resilience

•           Neighbourhood Plans

•           Transport Policy & Parking

Councillor Hanson has been invited to attend the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Hanson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Regeneration and Planning, the Head of Planning and Place and the Head of Property, Investment and Regeneration, to the meeting.

Councillor Hanson provided the Committee with a presentation which gave an overview of her current portfolio which included Economic Regeneration, Planning including the Local Plan, Conservation and Urban Design, Development and Building Control, Compulsory Purchase, Climate Change Resilience, Neighbourhood Plans and Transport Policy and Parking.

Members of the Committee asked a number of questions, some of which had been submitted prior to the meeting and the Chair, using her discretion, gave other members present the opportunity to ask questions in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15.

A wide range of questions were raised relating to such issues as the Planning service, delays in planning applications due to a shortage of planning officers, transport in Carnforth, sustainable neighbourhoods, Bailrigg Gardens, UN sustainability goals, the Eden Project Park and Ride and the unsuccessful Morecambe Future High Streets regeneration bid.

It was agreed that the Committee should receive a briefing once the feedback from the unsuccessful Morecambe Future High Streets regeneration bid had been received and that this should be added to the Work Programme. 

Resolved :-

(1)   That Councillor Hanson and the Heads of Planning and Place and Property, Investment and Regeneration be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

(2)   That the Committee receive a briefing once the feedback from the unsuccessful Morecambe Future High Streets regeneration bid had been received and that this would be added to the Work Programme.

Report of the Chief Executive. 

The Committee considered the Work Programme report.

It was reported that the postponed Community Safety meeting would now take place on 10^th February 2021 and Committee members were requested to submit any issues prior to the meeting.

An update was provided regarding the Inadequate 4G/5G item which would be presented to the Committee in April 2021.

With regard to the Autistic and Neurological Friendly District, members were advised that Lancashire County Council had confirmed that there were no examples of this within Lancashire.  It was suggested that officers discuss this item further with the former Committee member who had raised it.

Members of the Committee were informed that the outstanding Work Programme item relating to the business cases for any LATCos that came forward, would need to be updated to key decisions the Cabinet are to take regarding LATCos.

Resolved:-

(1)   That the updates be noted.

(2)   That officers discuss the Autistic and Neurological Friendly District item with the former Committee member.

(3)   That the Committee’s Work Programme be updated to key decisions the Cabinet are to take regarding LATCos.