Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence for the meeting were received from Councillors J Clark, A Humphreys and M Robinson.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2021 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.

Councillor Horkin declared he owned businesses in Clitheroe.

There was no public participation.

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning – copy enclosed

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development would result in a significant encroachment of built form into undeveloped agricultural land to the south of the existing caravan park and would be an unacceptable intensification of the use which fails to acknowledge the historic rural character of the surrounding area due to its scale and siting. The economic benefits of the scheme are not considered to outweigh the harm. As such the proposal is considered to be contrary to policies DMG2 and DMB3 and EN2 of the Core strategy for the Ribble Valley.

(Simon Pemberton spoke in favour of the above application. Stella Rosthorn spoke against the above application)

Withdrawn from the agenda.

RESOLVED

That the application be deferred and delegated to the Director of Economic Development and Planning for approval following the satisfactory completion of a Legal Agreement, within 3 months from the date of this Committee meeting or delegated to the Director of Economic Development and Planning in conjunction with the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Planning and Development Committee should exceptional circumstances exist beyond the period of 3 months and subject to the following conditions:

Plans

1.         Unless explicitly required by condition within this consent, the development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with the proposals as detailed on drawings:

            Plans

            Location Plan AA7403-2001 Rev C

            Materials layout AA7403C 2012 Rev F

            Materials schedule AA7403 – 01-13 001

            Site layout AA7403C 2010 Rev F

            Proposed Unit Mix AA7403C 2011 Rev U

            Proposed Boundary layout: AA7403 2015 Rev: C

            Proposed Boundary Treatments: AA7403 2014 Rev: C 

            Supporting Documents

            Wildlife Movement Report

            Bat Roost Assessment

            Bat Emergence Survey

            Breeding Bird Check

            Biodiversity Enhancement

            House Types

            House Type C, D, E and K

            REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify which plans are relevant to the consent hereby approved.

Materials

2.         The materials to be used on the external surfaces of the development hereby approved shall be implemented as per approved on the material schedule re AA7403 – 01-13 001  as follows:

Forticrete Anstone Walling - Olde Heather Black

Forterra Light Buff Brick - Cathedral Cream

Dark Brick - Michelmerch - Blockleys Synthesis S09

Through Coloured White Render

Mid-Grey Windows (Upvc)

Dark Grey Rainwater Goods

            REASON:  In order that the Local Planning Authority may ensure that the materials to be used are appropriate to the locality and respond positively to the inherent character of the area.

Boundary Treatments

3.         The boundary treatments to be used in the development hereby approved shall be implemented as per the approved plans

            REASON:  In order that the Local Planning Authority may ensure that the materials to be used are appropriate to the locality and respond positively to the inherent character of the area.

Landscape and Ecology

4.         Notwithstanding the submitted details, the first dwelling on the site shall not be occupied  until full details of the timings and phasing of the equipping of the public open space provision, play areas and delivery of the trim-trail/cycle-ways have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

            For the avoidance of doubt the submitted details shall provide the details of the numbers of dwellings, within a phase, to be constructed/occupied prior to each area of usable public open space becoming fully equipped/available for use.  The provision and equipping of such areas shall thereafter be carried out in strict accordance with the approved details including the agreed timetable for implementation.

            REASON:  To ensure the adequate provision for public open space and play areas is brought forward in an appropriate phased manner to serve occupiers/residents of the development and wider community.

5.         The landscaping proposals hereby approved shall be implemented in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 523.

Report of Director of Resources enclosed.

The Director of Resources submitted a report asking committee to agree a revised revenue budget for 2021/22 for this committee.

She reminded committee that at this time of year the estimates are revised for the current financial year in order to predict the likely outturn on the budget. The budget this year had been particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Whilst committee income and expenditure may increase or decrease at the revised estimate, items such as budgeted core government funding and council tax precept remain fixed. As a result, any compensating movement is within earmarked reserves and general fund balances. Decisions and actions required as a result of committee meetings have been incorporated into the budget setting process.

She informed committee that the difference between the revised and original estimate was a decrease in net expenditure of £54,750, or £33,270 after allowing for movements on earmarked reserves. A number of substantial movements were summarised for members’ information.

Members asked questions with regard to staff recruitment and the effect on the planning service.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Agree the revenue revised estimate for 2021/22.

The Director of Resources submitted a report outlining the draft revenue budget for approval by committee and then consideration at Special Policy and Finance committee.

The Council’s three-year budget forecast had been presented to Policy and Finance committee in September 2021 when it predicted that there would be the following budget gaps: £82k in 2022/23, £139k in 2023/24 and £230k in 2024/25, after allowing for use of general fund balances.

Since that time there had been a number of significant changes affecting the budget. These included significant rises in inflation, an increase in national insurance contributions and implementation of a new pay line. Therefore, the budget gap for 2022/23 was estimated to increase to around £497k.

The provisional local government finance settlement announced in December 2021 was for just one year, with a national increase of 6.9% in Council’s core spending power in cash terms between 2021/22 and next year. This is the fourth one-year settlement in a row.

Headlines for Ribble Valley include

·         Core spending power set to increase by only 0.2% (£11,000) next year from £6.849m to £6.860m;

·         Business Rate Baseline funding level is £1.354m which is the same as the current year, however £111k compensation will be received due to the loss of income received by freezing the business rate multiplier;

·         An allocation of Revenue Support Grant (RSG) of £215 despite RSG increasing nationally by 3.1% for inflation;

·         Rural Services Delivery Grant of £113,250 – same as the current year;

·         Lower Tier Services Grant of £60,754 up from £57,696;

·         A new one off 2022/23 Services Grant has been announced worth £822m in recognition of services and includes costs of the increase in NI contributions. Ribble Valley will receive £93,368;

·         New Homes Bonus (NHB) – the Government have allowed a new round of NHB allocations for 2022/23 which will not attract any legacy payments. They have also allowed the one remaining legacy payment of £464k which has been allowed for. Next year there will be a payment of £741k for 2022/23 along with the legacy payment of £464k = ££1.2m;

·         The Lancashire Business Rate Pool has received designation to continue; and,

·         The Council Tax can be increased by £5

Taking these things into account reduces the budget gap from £497k to 233k.

The Director of Resources reminded members that the fees and charges for this committee had been approved at their last meeting, and the consequential impact had been incorporated into the service budgets.

Once all committees had approved their detailed estimates, the overall position would be considered by the Budget Working Group and recommendations in order to produce a balanced budget would be made to Special Policy and Finance committee, before being presented to Full Council, at which point the Council Tax for 2022/23 would also be approved.

The draft proposed budget for 2022/23 was set out for each service area, built up over a number of stages including inflation, movements in expenditure, income, support services and capital, culminating in a draft original estimate.

In the original  ...  view the full minutes text for item 525.

Report of Director of Resources enclosed.

The Director of Resources submitted a report asking committee to approve the 2021/22 revised estimate for this committee’s capital programme.

One scheme totalling £26,420 had been approved by Special Policy and Finance committee and full Council in February and March 2021 respectively. The scheme had been moved from the 2020/21 capital programme to the 2021/22 capital programme.

As there would be no spend on the Introduction of Planning Portal Link to the Planning Application System and Planning System Update scheme in 2021/22, it was proposed to move it forward to 2022/23 and reduce the 2021/22 budget to nil.

A wider capital bid had been proposed ‘Software Upgrade for Regulatory Services’ which would include an upgrade to the planning system if approved.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Approve the 2021/22 revised estimate of nil for this committee’s capital programme, and

2.    Approve the move of £26,420 capital budget from 2021/22 to 2022/23 for the Introduction of Planning Portal Link to the Planning Application System and Planning System Update scheme.

Report of Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed.

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report informing members on public transport provision within the borough arising from a Public Transport Position Paper.

The study indicated that Ribble Valley’s Public Transport Network currently provides important services to the public, offering residents of many settlements in the borough the ability to access major destinations with relatively quick journey times. Although the use of private vehicle is high, public transport plays an important part within the borough by connecting isolated communities and enabling access to key shops and services.

As the Council is not the public transport authority for the area, the findings would be published as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan.

Report of Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed.

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report for information updating members on Section 106 Agreements and their implementation, as shown through the annual Infrastructure Funding Statement.

The total Section 106 balance for the period 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021 is calculated at £767,524.67. Then this is added to the balance at the end of the previous monitoring period, the total balance of Section 106 contributions currently stands at £1,601,342.41.

Copy enclosed.

The minutes of the joint working group of Climate Change and Local Development Plan were received by committee for their information.

Appeals Update

3/2020/0057 and 0058 – demolition and reconfiguration of existing 20^th Century extensions, new extensions, and new garaging with associated landscaping at Oxendale Hall, Osbaldeston, BB2 7LZ – appeals allowed for both permission and listed building consent.

3/2020/0057 and 0058 – application for costs – refused.

3/2021/0227 – alterations, extension, detached garage and external works at 2 Pinfold, Knowles Brow, Hurst Green, BB7 9QX – appeal dismissed.

3/2021/0462 – rear boundary fence, garden shed and garden room/office at 1 Park Road, Gisburn – application dismissed for garden shed/room/office and appeal allowed for boundary fence.

3/2021/0404 – erection of a timber outbuilding to provide for garaging, stage and first floor home office at Oxenhurst Cottage, Back Lane, Slaidburn, BB7 3EE – appeal dismissed.

3/2021/0287 – erection of 1no. dwelling within garden boundary of existing dwelling at The Old Barn, Bowfields Lane, Balderstone, BB2 7LW – appeal dismissed.

3/2021/0469 – detached garage/store on land to the west of Glebe Barn, Main Street, Gisburn, BB7 4HR – appeal dismissed.

3/2020/1062 – single storey extension to existing 1 bed bungalow(dwelling). Extension to existing domestic curtilage at Seven Acre Bungalow, Forty Acre Lane, Longridge, PR3 2TY – appeal allowed with conditions.

3/2020/0057 and 0058 – demolition and reconfiguration of existing 20^th Century extensions, new extensions, and new garaging with associated landscaping at Oxendale Hall, Osbaldeston, BB2 7LZ – appeals allowed for both permission and listed building consent.

3/2020/0057 and 0058 – application for costs – refused.

3/2021/0227 – alterations, extension, detached garage and external works at 2 Pinfold, Knowles Brow, Hurst Green, BB7 9QX – appeal dismissed.

3/2021/0462 – rear boundary fence, garden shed and garden room/office at 1 Park Road, Gisburn – application dismissed for garden shed/room/office and appeal allowed for boundary fence.

3/2021/0404 – erection of a timber outbuilding to provide for garaging, stage and first floor home office at Oxenhurst Cottage, Back Lane, Slaidburn, BB7 3EE – appeal dismissed.

3/2021/0287 – erection of 1no. dwelling within garden boundary of existing dwelling at The Old Barn, Bowfields Lane, Balderstone, BB2 7LW – appeal dismissed.

3/2021/0469 – detached garage/store on land to the west of Glebe Barn, Main Street, Gisburn, BB7 4HR – appeal dismissed.

3/2020/1062 – single storey extension to existing 1 bed bungalow(dwelling). Extension to existing domestic curtilage at Seven Acre Bungalow, Forty Acre Lane, Longridge, PR3 2TY – appeal allowed with conditions.

None.

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

None.

There were no items under this heading.