Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 18 June 2019.

That subject to the amendment, the minutes be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting on 18 June 2019 were received and approved, subject to an amendment on minute number 20 (Notice of Motion on limiting Council Tax increases).  Councillor Carver clarified that his suggestion had been to enable a decision to be reached, which could be later amended if required, as deferral until September could cause complications due to the six month rule.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendment, the minutes be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

The following Members declared a personal and prejudicial interest and would leave the Chamber before the item:

·         Councillor Bob Connah - related to occupier of land in the LDP.

·         Councillors David and Gladys Healey - having opposed a site in the LDP.

·         Councillor Joe Johnson - joint owner of land within the LDP.

·         Councillor Ralph Small - property overlooking one of the candidate sites.

·         Councillor Andy Williams - home and business near to a candidate site.

The following Members declared a personal interest:

·         Councillor Christine Jones - having supported the Northern Gateway development.

·         Councillors Paul Cunningham, Vicky Perfect and Ian Roberts - Members of Flint Town Council which had objected to a candidate site.

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained the need for decisions to be based on public interest and the importance of public perception in having confidence in the decision-making process, which particularly relevant to the principal item of business, the Flintshire Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP) as it involved a large number of interested parties.  In advance of the meeting, clear written advice had been provided to all Members to help them consider whether they had a prejudicial interest if the matter affected their own wellbeing or financial position - or that of close personal associates.  This not only applied to candidate sites in the LDP but also those which had been rejected and could potentially be re-submitted at a later stage.  Whilst Members who had lobbied for or against the inclusion of a candidate site were advised to declare a personal and prejudicial interest, the exemption within the Code of Conduct meant that Members of another authority (such as a Town or Community Council) which had objected to a site, need only declare a personal interest.  Membership of an internal body such as the Planning Strategy Group did not constitute a prejudicial interest.

The Chief Officer gave notice that Members declaring a personal and prejudicial interest would be invited to attend a separate session to discuss opportunities in which they could represent their communities as part of the consultation process.

The following Members declared a personal and prejudicial interest and would leave the Chamber before the item:

·         Councillor Bob Connah - related to occupier of land in the LDP.

·         Councillors David and Gladys Healey - having opposed a site in the LDP.

·         Councillor Joe Johnson - joint owner of land within the LDP.

·         Councillor Ralph Small - property overlooking one of the candidate sites.

·         Councillor Andy Williams - home and business near to a candidate site.

The following Members declared a personal interest:

·         Councillor Christine Jones - having supported the Northern Gateway development.

·         Councillors Paul Cunningham, Vicky Perfect and Ian Roberts - Members of Flint Town Council which had objected to a candidate site.

To receive the communications as circulated.

The Chair’s Communications had been circulated to all Members prior to the meeting.  She highlighted a number of events and thanked all those who had attended the Flintshire Civic Service at St Eurgain and St Peter's Church, Northop.

To receive any Petitions.

None were received.

None were received.

(a)       That Members approve the content of the Flintshire Deposit Local Development Plan 2015-2030 to go out for public consultation; and

(b)       That Members authorise the Chief Officer (Planning, Economy and Environment) to make any additional minor wording, grammar, editorial or cartographic changes to the Deposit LDP which may arise or be necessary prior to formal consultation to ensure consistency with the ongoing LDP evidence base and to assist final presentation of the Plan.

Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, Councillors Bob Connah, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Joe Johnson, Ralph Small and Andy Williams withdrew from the Chamber before the start of this item.

The Chief Executive introduced a report to seek approval of the Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP) covering the period 2015-2030 to be taken forward for public consultation between 30 September and 11 November 2019, as recommended by Cabinet.  This represented a key milestone to enable the public and other stakeholders to comment on the Deposit Plan as part of the timetable towards the Council fulfilling its statutory duty to adopt a final LDP.

The Service Manager Strategy gave a detailed presentation covering the following:

·         What is the LDP

·         LDP timetable

·         The Deposit LDP

·         What does the Plan represent

·         Supporting documents

·         Challenges to progress

·         Consistent focus for Planning Strategy Group

·         Purpose of public consultation

·         Likely contentious issues

·         Housing growth and allocations

·         How have we selected sites

·         LDP housing allocations

·         Provision for Gypsies and Travellers

·         Provision of infrastructure

·         Soundness tests

·         Approving the Deposit LDP for consultation

·         Importance of approving Deposit LDP

·         What happens after Deposit

The Service Manager Strategy said that this was the culmination of significant work undertaken to develop a Plan that was fit for purpose, demonstrating soundness and maximising growth strategy whilst minimising the impact on communities.  He commended the positive engagement at Planning Strategy Group for its work on this complex matter and said that the Council’s approach to housing delivery had helped to strengthen its position on the LDP.

The Chair took the opportunity to thank the Service Manager and his team for their work and she paid tribute to Members of the Planning Strategy Group chaired by Councillor Bithell and formerly chaired by Councillor Attridge.

During the debate that followed, many Members expressed their gratitude to the officer team for their professionalism and diligence.  Members of the Planning Strategy Group, who were also thanked for their contributions to the process, spoke about the effectiveness of the Group in its deliberations.

As Chair of the Planning Strategy Group, Councillor Bithell thanked the officer team for their comprehensive work on the Plan and also fellow Members of the cross-party Planning Strategy Group.  In highlighting the importance of maintaining progress on the timetable, he said that many of the candidate sites were already in the public domain, accommodated by minor changes made to the Green Barrier and settlement boundaries.  He noted the outcome of the Renewable Energy Assessment to be reported back to the Council in September prior to the start of the public consultation process and the opportunities for Members to raise specific comments later in the process as explained by officers.

As Vice-Chair of Planning Strategy Group, Councillor Peers seconded the proposal which did not prohibit representations from Members at the consultation stage.  He referred to the impact of late changes to national planning guidance, the need to understand viability and its impact on housing supply, and the importance of providing links with principal towns,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

There was one member of the public in attendance.