Minutes:
The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 August 2020.
1. Statement of Community Involvement Review (Minute 213)
The Leader MOVED seconded by Councillor L D Taylor:
THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 213 be ADOPTED.
Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
2. Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (Minute 215)
Councillor L D Taylor MOVED seconded by Councillor G Barnell
THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 215 be ADOPTED.
Councillor D F Pugsley MOVED seconded by Councillor B G J Warren; that in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.1(e) the item be referred back to the Cabinet for further consideration.
Following consideration and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have FAILED.
The Leader MOVED AN AMENDMENT seconded by Councillor D J Knowles that:
That Council resolve to:
1. Commit to prepare a revised joint strategic statutory plan;
2. Should Officers subsequently advise that 1. proves not to be the most appropriate option in planning terms, consider a review of other options for further strategic and cross-boundary planning matters with willing participatory authorities in the Housing Market Area;?
3. Instruct officers to review and incorporate relevant elements of the GESP Draft Policies and Site Options consultation document and other supporting documentation and evidence that remain valid;
4. Jointly prepare necessary technical studies and evidence for the new strategic plan, including conducting a further call for sites process, align monitoring and share resources where there are planning and cost benefits for doing so;
5. Reaffirm the Council’s commitment to the delivery of high quality development at Culm Garden Village as part of the Garden Communities Programme and continue to work collaboratively as a group of Councils in the garden communities programme with Homes England; and
6. Task Officers to prepare a further report on staff resources to prepare a revised joint strategic plan with resources to be provided equitably to the team through equalisation arrangements.
7. Task Officers to bring forward the preparation of the next Local Plan Review?
Consideration was given to:
· The decision of East Devon District Council to withdraw from the GESP and the fact that the plan could no longer continue in its current form
· Committing to a joint strategic statutory plan would provide a platform for local people to shape a plan for the future
· The Local Planning Authority and the County Council had a duty to cooperate on strategic matters and the GESP provided the opportunity for all to work together
· There was a need for economic activities and growth areas to be considered strategically
· The significant amount of work that had already taken place
· The Government had show a willingness to engage with one voice from the area and therefore a joint vision and a joint strategic plan was required
· Whether to withdraw from the GESP whilst continuing to engage with GESP partners
· Whether the creation of a new GESP would potentially have a greater impact on Mid Devon with further sites being put forward to overcome the gap following the decision of East Devon District Council to withdraw from the GESP
· The need to work with neighbouring authorities to create a plan for the Greater Exeter area
· The GESP provided some good ideas focusing on climate change and other issues but there was concern for the local residents in certain parts of the area.
· The need to keep control of allocations within Mid Devon and not deal with the shortfall for allocated sites within Teignbridge and Exeter
· The impact of Covid 19 and how this may change the way in which people travel to work
· The possibility of cooperating with partner authorities without the need for the GESP
Councillor L D Taylor MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.4
‘THAT the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call’
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken:
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors: Mrs E M Andrews, E J Berry, W Burke, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, Mrs C P Daw, R M Deed, R J Dolley, C J Eginton, R B Evans, Mrs S Griggs, T G Hughes, D J Knowles, B A Moore, S J Penny, R F Radford, C Slade, Mrs M E Squires and R L Stanley.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors: G Barnell, J Cairney, S J Clist, L J Cruwys, J M Downes, B Holdman, F W Letch, Miss J Norton, D F Pugsley, L D Taylor, A White,, A Wilce, Mrs N Woollatt, J Wright and A Wyer.
Those ABSTAINING: Councillor B G J Warren.
The AMENDMENT was declared to have been CARRIED
Councillor Barnell then MOVED the following AMENDMENT, seconded by Councillor L D Taylor that:
"Following the decision by East Devon Council to withdraw from GESP it is clear that GESP cannot now proceed.
This Council, therefore, resolves that:
?1. The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Head of Planning, and other Cabinet members:-
a) Explore, with neighbouring planning authorities, options for cooperation in meeting joint planning objectives, ensuring that a shared commitment to addressing the climate crisis is at the centre of these considerations
b) Reports to Cabinet within six months on the options for cooperation in joint planning.
2. Cabinet, having considered the options for joint planning, makes recommendations to Full Council on how best to proceed.
3. Officers bring forward the next Local Plan Review as soon as possible, incorporating where possible some of the climate learning and policies from GESP.
Additionally this Council reaffirms its commitment to the delivery of high quality development at Culm Garden Village as part of the Garden Communities Programme and continue to work collaboratively as a group of Councils in the garden communities programme with Homes England."
Consideration was given to:
· The need for members to move the process rather than officers
· The need to protect the rural heritage of the area
· The need to reframe the whole agreement
· The ongoing commitment to the Garden Village
· Even without the GESP, neighbouring authorities could still work together
· The need to be in control of strategic planning in Mid Devon
Councillor L D Taylor MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.4
‘THAT the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call’
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken:
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors: G Barnell, J Cairney, S J Clist, L J Cruwys, J M Downes, B Holdman, F W Letch, Miss J Norton, D F Pugsley, L D Taylor, A White, A Wilce, Mrs N Woollatt, J Wright and A Wyer
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors: Mrs E M Andrews, E J Berry, W Burke, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, Mrs C P Daw, R M Deed, R J Dolley, C J Eginton, R B Evans, Mrs S Griggs, T G Hughes, D J Knowles, B A Moore, S J Penny, R F Radford, C R Slade, Mrs M E Squires and R L Stanley
Those ABSTAINING: Councillor B G J Warren.
The AMENDMENT was declared to have FAILED.
The Chairman indicated that he would MOVE the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION:
That Council resolve to:
1. Commit to prepare a revised joint strategic statutory plan;
2. Should Officers subsequently advise that 1. proves not to be the most appropriate option in planning terms, consider a review of other options for further strategic and cross-boundary planning matters with willing participatory authorities in the Housing Market Area;?
3. Instruct officers to review and incorporate relevant elements of the GESP Draft Policies and Site Options consultation document and other supporting documentation and evidence that remain valid;
4. Jointly prepare necessary technical studies and evidence for the new strategic plan, including conducting a further call for sites process, align monitoring and share resources where there are planning and cost benefits for doing so;
5. Reaffirm the Council’s commitment to the delivery of high quality development at Culm Garden Village as part of the Garden Communities Programme and continue to work collaboratively as a group of Councils in the garden communities programme with Homes England; and
6. Task Officers to prepare a further report on staff resources to prepare a revised joint strategic plan with resources to be provided equitably to the team through equalisation arrangements.
7. Task Officers to bring forward the preparation of the next Local Plan Review?
Upon a vote being taken the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Note: Councillor Miss E Wainwright lost connection during the above item and was unable to vote.
3. Revised GESP Statement of Community Involvement (Minute 216)
This recommendation was NOT MOVED.