Agenda and minutes

Councillor Siddall declared an ‘other’ interest in agenda item 6, “Buxton Opera House Vision – Presentation” (reason: member of the Board of High Peak Theatre Trust)

None

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Paul Kerryson, Chief Executive of High Peak Theatre Trust, made a presentation to the committee which set out the vision for the future of Buxton Opera House, which included an extensive capital project to upgrade back stage facilities, as well as upgrading access, changing and washroom facilities for audiences and artists and provide rehearsal spaces for community and participatory events and activities.  The project would have the added benefit of raising the national profile of the Opera House and Buxton, enable more high quality productions to visit Buxton which would also have an increased and positive impact on the local economy.  The Committee were appraised of the community work being undertaken by the Opera House, and National Portfolio Funding had been secured for a 3 year period from the Arts Council to enable expanded community engagement activities and the provision of the pantomime production.  Approximately £800,000 of funding was required to enable the commissioning of structural analysis and procurement, and it was hoped that this would be done alongside HPBC and DCC, together with other funding bodies.  Once this was completed, the capital project and fundraising campaign could be launched.

Members suggested that the National Lottery Heritage Fund may be able to assist with funding if the project identified an area where heritage may be at risk.  It was also suggested that further work could be undertaken with Pavilion Gardens, around the provision of pop up bars and additional toilet facilities.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted, and Paul be thanked for his attendance.

Items for the 26 January meeting were:

Draft High Peak Tourism Strategy

Purchase of the Springs

Delivery Strategy – to be confirmed

Other items to be added to future work programmes included:

Crescent Heritage Tour – presentation about the Pump Room and experience and possible visit for members to the Experience

The Crescent Hotel – update on performance

In response to a question, a brief update was provided around nutrient neutrality and the mitigation strategy to mitigate against phosphate in the River Wye, including the national scheme, where developers will be able to purchase credits to invest in a mitigation scheme and the bill to require water companies to improve treatment works to their technical achievable limits by 2030.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the above, the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

This item had been postponed and would hopefully be presented in January

The Committee were notified of the draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and plans for public consultation on which feedback was sought. 

It was hoped that the SPD would strengthen the council’s position around health provision and electric vehicle charging.  It was commented that health provision was particularly important given the changes in population in High Peak, i.e. an increase in the numbers of older people, which also impacted on the type of housing required.  Reference was also made to impacts on retail and town centres and S106 requirements on developers.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the purpose and content of the draft SPD be noted;

2.     That the findings of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening reports, be noted.

The Committee considered a revised version of the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement prior to public consultation.  The most recent SCI had been adopted in 2019, and since that time, the Council had agreed to commence the preparation of a new Local Plan and the pandemic had highlighted the need for consultation methods to be adaptable to meet unforeseen circumstances, hence the need to update the SCI.  It was noted that following discussion around the proposed modifications, it had agreed to include the Protocol on Land Use Planning Matters and Development Control Committee as an appendix to the SCI, to make the standards for the consideration of applications and management of the Development Control Committee more transparent for the public.

It was commented that the process for uploading comments on planning applications should be made simpler, to which the Head of Development Services advised that the upgrading of the system was being examined as part of the Council’s Digital Strategy, which would produce a more web enabled system.

Some concern was expressed regarding the change in the wording for minimum consultation requirements, and it was agreed that this could be worded differently, as each needed to be judged on a case by case basis by examining the issues and determining what was appropriate.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the report be noted;

2.     That the above comments be forwarded to the Executive as part of its consideration and publication for public consultation.

Councillors were briefed on the new Peak District National Park Management Plan 2023 – 28, together with any implications for the Borough Council.

Discussion ensued around affordable housing, excessive numbers of holiday cottages / rentals, impact of large numbers of visitors and the need to create a balance between visitors, local people and the natural environment.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the proposed Peak District National Park Management Plan 2023 – 28 be noted;

2.     That the actions identified for District / Borough Councils in the Delivery Plan be considered in more detail when the corporate priorities and work programmes are developed.

None.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2022 be approved as a correct record.