Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2018 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the results of the consultation on the Council’s updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), following a period of public consultation which resulted in 12 responses being submitted to the draft SCI.

It was requested that the full meaning of hra i.e. habitats regulations assessment be included in the glossary to the report to avoid confusion with the housing revenue account.

On page 51 of the document, it was requested that reference be included as to where the High Peak’s protocol on land use and planning matters and Development Control Committee can be found.

It was also suggested that under SCI 9, that arrangements be made for the weekly planning list to be made available via social media.

RESOLVED:

1.    That, subject to the above, the contents of the report be noted;

2.    That the Executive be recommended to accept the two late representations received; and

3.    That the Executive be recommended to approve the Statement of Community Involvement, subject to the proposed modifications as set out in the report, and that the final version of the report be considered for adoption by full Council on 20 February 2019.

The Committee were notified of the consultation on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and considered the Council’s proposed approach to respond to the consultation as set out in the report.  It was noted that the meeting on 30 January had been postponed and would be re-convened in due course.

Particular reference was made to:

·         Congestion on the A6, particular reference was made to the stretch between Newtown and Disley and beyond

·         Problems with Buxton train line, including slow, infrequent, expensive trains that could not deal with the capacity required

·        Proposed metro / tram / train services on Marple, Glossop and Hazel Grove lines – some concern that although capacity could be increased, travel times may also be increased between Glossop and Manchester – the possibility of having trams running of rail tracks was raised

·        Concern regarding responsibility for the future maintenance of Dinting Arches

·        Concerns regarding the capacity on the Glossop lines if additional houses in Hattersley and Godley Garden Green are built

·        Reference made to previous comments made in respect of the SEMMS project which could also be attributed to these proposals

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposals within the consultation be noted;

2.    That, subject to the above, the proposed approach to respond to the consultation as set out in the report be supported.

The Committee considered an update on proposals for the Town Centre Regeneration and Investment Programme. 

It was noted that it was proposed that Buxton, with the highest shop vacancy rate would benefit most from the programme and be the focus of a submission to the Future High Street bid.  Other funding submissions had been made in support of Glossop, including a bid to the Derbyshire Rates Pooling Scheme, and it was proposed to prepare an additional bid to the Highways England Designated Funds Programme. 

Issues raised by members included:

·         Poor transport links from Fairfield Road to Buxton Town Centre

·         Additional housing growth in Buxton with an affordable housing component – there needs to be a choice of retail that is fit for residents

·         Level of business rates

·         Need for a comprehensive review of Buxton Town Centre – query which part considered as the Town Centre – does it include Higher Buxton which has a lower vacancy rate than Spring Gardens and a good mix of independent shops and smaller businesses?

·         Impact of the opening of the Crescent Hotel

·         Disappointment with the loss of Marks and Spencer

·         Successful introduction of the community cinema, but a need for more family oriented restaurants

·         Glossop has good transport connections

·         Successful examples of businesses in Glossop moving from the market hall into shop premises – nurture businesses and help them grow

·         Market towns and village centres – perception that they are not being supported

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Town Centre Regeneration and Investment Programme be noted;

2.    That the Executive be recommended that the Council submits bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Highways England Designated Fund to support regeneration and investment in Glossop;

3.    That the Executive be recommended that the Council submits a bid to the Future High Street Fund to support regeneration and investment in Buxton.

Approval was sought to take forward the marketing of council owned sites identified in the Accelerated Housing Delivery Programme (AHDP) by soft market testing these using the Home England (HE) HCA procurement process.

In response to a question, it was noted that by soft testing the sites, real market information would be obtained around how the sites should come to market. 

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve that the Council enter into an agreement with HE to soft market test a number of council owned sites throughout the district as set out in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5 of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.