Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Borough Councillors S O’Rourke, H McFall and D Brocklehurst.

Apologies were also received from M Highton of Whalley Parish Council, and J and T Westwell of Salesbury Parish Council.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests.

Presentation by the Head of Strategic Planning and Housing

The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing gave a presentation to Committeeproviding an introduction to the Settlement Study.

She outlined the reasons why the Council are preparing the study, namely:

-        It is a key piece of planning evidence that will inform the Spatial Strategy in the new Local Plan.

-       It will inform the decisions on the future role of settlements and future settlement hierarchy.

-        It will establish limits to settlements.

-        It will inform allocations and policies on green spaces.

The aims of the study were identified as:

-       To establish a baseline position in terms of understanding the level of economic and social infrastructure present in each settlement.

-       To rank the settlements according to a range of indicators, and by doing so, to inform the definition of a future local plan settlement hierarchy.

-       To understand and establish the physical boundaries of settlements, beyond which the area should be defined as countryside.

-       To identify and assess sites which can be recognized as green infrastructure sites within settlements.

A definition of a “Settlement” was provided for the purposes of the study:

A place of living that exhibits a level of physical coherence…a number of dwellings and other buildings that exist in relatively close proximity to each other – for instance clustered together around a key point such as a road intersection or village green or taking a more linear form along a key line of communication (i.e. road) or an environmental feature (i.e. a river).”

It was confirmed settlements are not synonymous with parishes and their administrative boundaries or localities/communities.

An overview of the study methodology was outlined.  This would be separated into four parts:

-        Part A – to assess settlements and score them against identified indicators.  A combined rank will score will then be created.

-        Part B – to prepare settlement profiles which provides a useful summary of the nature and function of a settlement.

-        Part C – to confirm the settlement boundaries.

-        Part D – an audit and assessment of open spaces in the settlements

The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing confirmed that she wished to receive input from Parish Councils.  The next step would be for the Council to share a list of ‘candidate’ settlements with current boundaries for Parish Councils to comment on.  Parish Councils can also assist in providing data on settlement indicators.

The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing then answered questions from Committee and offered clarification on the scope of the study. it was confirmed that it was not a review of greenbelt land.

Discussion took place around the length of time that would be given to Parish/Ward Councils for their feedback.  The initial recommendation of 2-3 weeks was not felt to be adequate, and suggestions were made of allowing a minimum of 6 weeks.  Confirmation was given that guidance would be sent to Parish Councils along with the request for information and a further suggestion was made that information from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 673.

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Development and Planning had submitted a report to Health and Housing Committee which sought approval to numerous amendments to the Council’s Affordable Housing Allocation Policy (Allocation Policy) and to consider suggestions made by the Strategic Housing Working Group in respect of moving to a Choice Base Letting (CBL) System for the allocation of available properties to people on the waiting list.

The Head of Strategic Housing and Planning summarised the proposed changes with reference to the following key issues:

- To include a requirement to evidence housing need

- To add further clarity to the local connection definition

- An update to the eligibility criteria to include latest Government immigration advice and armed forces connections

- Amendment to the medical points to ensure that they are awarded to reflect where housing is impacting on health.

- To update the number of points given for those who are homeless

It was confirmed that at Health and Housing Committee it had been resolved to:

Approve the proposed changes to the Allocation Policy for a 6-week consultation as set out in the report and its appendix.

2. Delegate authority to the Director of Economic Development and Planning to make any other minor editorial amendments to the document prior to publishing the document for consultation.

3. Delegate authority to the Director of Economic Development and Planning to explore options for a Ribble Valley CBL system including engagement with partners with a full detailed report brought back to this Committee.

GUIDANCE FOR PARISH COUNCILS

David Peat of Simonstone Parish Council suggested that it would be useful to have some guidance/training for Parish Councils.  The Chief Executive confirmed that consideration would be given to Lancashire Association of Local Councils (LALC) attending the next Parish Council Liaison Committee.  He also offered to provide Parish Councilors/Clerks with a room where they could all have a meeting with a view to sharing information.  It was also suggested that planning training on how to respond to consultations on planning applications would be useful, in particular what can be considered as ‘material considerations’.

RIBBLESDALE SWIMMING POOL

A survey has been sent out regarding the future of the swimming pool and queries were raised as to what exactly was happening with it.  The Chief Executive confirmed that there was going to be a feasibility study carried out to determine its future.  Various options are being considered e.g. repairing the existing pool, rebuilding a new one, re-locating the facilities etc.  Parish Councils wanted to be kept updated and asked that a report on the pool be brought to a future Parish Council Liaison meeting.

Parish Councils confirmed that they have received a  survey which covered general recreation facilities rather than just Ribblesdale Pool and referenced a meeting that was due to take place the following week.  Concerns were raised regarding the short notice of this, the cost of the surveys/study that were to be carried out and whether those preparing the study would have any local knowledge/expertise.  The Chief Executive confirmed that he would seek further information from the Director of Community Services.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the next meeting would be on Thursday 11 April 2024 at 6.30pm.