Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence for the meeting were received from Councillor M Peplow and N Stubbs.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

There was no public participation.

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report asking Committee to approve amendments to the local eligibility criteria for the Ribble Valley Self-Build & Custom Housebuilding Register and to agree the procedural requirements for entry and renewal of subscription to the Register.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Approve the proposed scheme contained in Appendix 1 of the report, to be put in place following a four-week public consultation provided no significant objections are received.

2.     Note that a follow-up report providing an update following the implementation of the new scheme is brought to a later Committee.

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating Committee on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and seeking approval for the suggested responses to the consultation questions.

The main impacts of the proposed changes for Ribble Valley, if implemented, were highlighted.

Of particular note was the proposed introduction of a new method for calculating housing numbers which would result in a requirement to deliver 330 dwellings a year. With the reintroduced 5% buffer RVBC would need to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply of 347 dwellings per year.

RVBC’s housing land supply figure is currently being calculated.  However, given the proposed increased housing numbers, if RVBC is unable to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, then the housing policies with the Core Strategy would be considered out of date, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development would apply.

A review of the Green Belt boundaries will form part of the evidence base in support of the Local Plan. Any suggested changes to boundaries or whether any of the Borough’s Green Belt could be defined at ‘grey belt’ would be brought to the Local Plan Working Group as the evidence base is developed.

Given the relatively early stage of the Local Plan process the Council’s new plan will be prepared in accordance with the revised version of the NPPF.  It was noted that it will need to be submitted for examination no later than December 2026.

Members discussed the information in detail and made a number of comments and suggested amendments to the proposed responses to the consultation questions. 

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Confirm that the suggested responses to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, subject the amendments made by Members, are acceptable and delegate authority to the Director of Economic Development and Planning to submit a response to the consultation on behalf of the Council

The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report on the outturn for the financial year 2023/24 in respect of the Revenue Budget for the Committee.

It was noted that there had been a number of variations in both income and expenditure during the year, and this has given rise to an overall underspend of £9,332 on the net cost of services. After transfers to and from earmarked reserves there was an overall overspend of £80,798.  Details of the variations were outlined in the report.

The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report letting Members know the position for the period April 2024 to June 2024 of the year’s original revenue budget as far as this committee was concerned.

The comparison between actual and budgeted expenditure showed an underspend of £1,747 to June 2024 of the financial year 2024/25. After allowing for transfers to/from earmarked reserves there was an underspend of £37,691.  The report outlined the variations by cost centre.

The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report outlining the progress on this Committee’s 2024/25 capital programme for the period to the end of June 2024.

At the end of June 2024 there had been no spend or commitments made against the capital programme budget.  There was currently one capital scheme for this Committee with a budget of £20,370 and it is unlikely to be completed within the financial year.  However, it was noted that due to the residual purpose of the scheme, it should not cause concern for Members.

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating Committee on key information in relation to the determination of planning applications.

It was noted that the Local Planning Authority met the Government performance targets for determining planning applications falling within the ‘Major’, ‘Minor’ and ‘Other’ categories , and whilst the percentage of appeals allowed (28.5%) was slightly higher than the target (10%) there were no concerns with the overall performance on appeals.

Report of the Director of Economic Development and Planning enclosed

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating Members on the Council’s recent performance on pre-application enquiries.

Concerns were expressed regarding delays in providing pre-application advice and clarification was sought as to the staffing issues that were impacting upon response timescales.  It was confirmed that a Senior Planning Officer departed at the beginning of 2024 and whilst a replacement has now been recruited, they are not due to start until October 2024.  Another planning officer is having to dedicate more time to progressing the Local Plan and it has coincided with a higher volume of planning applications being made. 

The Director of Economic Development and Planning assured Members that the Council are live to the concerns and continue to monitor the situation closely.  If officers feel that the Council should cease offering this service, it would be brought to Committee for consideration. 

It was agreed that a further report would be brought back to Committee before the end of the year, once the new Senior Planning Officer is in post, to review the Council’s ongoing performance on pre-application enquiries.  A report will also be submitted in due course outlining whether the pre-application advice service is self-funding.

Members noted the contents of the Appeals report.

There are no items under this heading

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

Minutes of the Local Development Plan Working Group dated 14 March 2024

Members noted the Minutes of the Local Development Plan Working Group dated 14 March 2024.

There are no items under this heading

There were no items under this heading.