Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) prior to public consultation.  The Authority’s most recent Statement of Community Involvement was adopted in May 2006.  There had been a number of changes to the planning system since this date.  In addition, a number of new opportunities to engage with the public (such as social media) had arisen.  For these reasons it was considered appropriate to update the SCI, bringing it in line with current legislation and public engagement methods.

Members of the Committee made a number of observations.  These included that the use of mailshots be included in the consultation document.  It was explained that the start time of the Development Control Committee enabled committee members to attend site visits on the same day as the committee (further investigations had found that the venue was not available during evenings).  It was also suggested that members of the public may also contact members of the Development Control Committeewith regard to their concerns but that committee members may not be able to respond until they have heard all of the evidence provided at Committee. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the Executive be recommended to approve the draft Statement of Community Involvement, subject to the observations made above, so far as enabling the commencement of a consultation exercise to inform a final version of the document to be considered later by Full Council.   

The Committee considered the Council’s response to the Government’s consultation on the use of right to buy receipts. The consultation response formed part of the wider consultation on the social housing green paper.

Statistics released in March 2018 showed that nationally, local authorities have not been building/supporting enough right to buy replacement dwellings. The Government was aware that current restrictions around the use of the receipts were a barrier to delivery and there needed to be a greater flexibility of use.  It was clarified, that with regards to the draft response to question 1, the proposed extension from 3 to 5 years would provide more flexibility to spend existing right to buy receipts.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and that the Council’s response to the consultation, as set out in appendix 1 of the report, be recommended for approval.

The purpose of the report was to update members on the recently published social housing green paper which set out a vision and strategy for reforming social housing. 

The green paper sought to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants, tackle stigma and ensure social housing is a stable base that supports people and social mobility.  There were five core themes or principles:

·         Ensure that homes are safe and decent

·         Effective resolution of complaints

·         Empower residents and strengthen the regulator

·         Tackle stigma and celebrate thriving communities

·         Expand supply and support home ownership (which can be seen alongside previous White Paper commitments to fix the broken housing market)

Members noted that there did not appear to be significant additional funding in real terms available to local authorities which, it was suggested, would be an issue.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and that the Council issues a response to green paper proposals.

The Committee considered responses to two current Government consultations that related to permitted development rights for non-hydraulic shale gas exploration and approvals under the National Significant Infrastructure Projects regime respectively.

Members of the Committee supported the draft responses contained within the report.  It was reported that the views of the Peak District National Park were similar to that of the Borough Council’s.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and that The Executive be recommended to submit an appropriate response to the Government’s consultations.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee Work programme be noted and suggestions welcomed.