Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 31 October 2019 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2019 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 at this stage.

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration.

Fiona Clark, Planning Policy Officer (Homes and Communities) presented a report of the Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration advising Members of the Government's First Homes Consultation and seeking approval for submission of a response. A draft response was appended.

Members asked a number of questions, which the Planning Policy Officer responded to. They then looked at the draft response in detail, making a number of comments to be incorporated in the consultation response before submission.

Resolved:

That, subject to inclusion of the additions and amendments to wording requested by the Committee, the draft response be submitted as the City Council’s response to the Government’s First Homes Consultation.  

(The final consultation response is appended to these minutes.)

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration

Rebecca Richards, Planning Officer presented a report submitted by the Director of Economic Growth and Regeneration informing Members of the North West Marine Plan, which was out for consultation until 6 April 2020.

Councillors asked a number of questions and discussed the draft response, which was appended for consideration.

The Committee were happy with the draft wording but asked that the need for working together on coastal protection to reduce the impact of flooding throughout the coastline be highlighted, as well as the protection of marine life and wildfowl.

Resolved:

That the draft consultation response, subject to the addition of wording reflecting the Committee’s comments (above), be submitted before the deadline.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Members considered a draft policy submitted by the Democratic Services Manager entitled “Personal Safety and Lone Working Policy for Councillors”. This was a report which the Committee had requested at its October meeting.

Members were happy with the content of the draft and wished to record their thanks to Jane Glenton, recently retired Democratic Services Officer, who had researched and drafted the policy.

Resolved:

That the Personal Safety and Lone Working Policy for Councillors be circulated to Elected Members, published on the “for Councillors” pages of the Intranet and included in information packs for newly-elected Councillors.

There were no appointments to Committees or changes in membership.