Agenda item

To consider any Notices of Motion.

(a)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hinds be supported as follows:  ‘That the Council review residents’ parking generally across the County, to target and prioritise parking schemes outside Council sheltered bungalows and introduce on-street parking powers where possible.  As part of that review, to identify Council-owned land and parking bays, as referred to in the Notice of Motion, to identify where parking powers could be introduced.’

(b)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hinds be supported as follows: ‘That Members support the resolution of Cabinet on 19 June 2018 for a response to be made to Welsh Government as set out in the Cabinet report and specifically paragraph 1.07 including representations on the recalculation for housing land supply as part of the call for evidence.

Two Notice of Motion had been received from Councillor Hinds:

(i)         Parking Bays outside Pensioners’ Bungalows

‘All parking bays that are outside pensioners bungalows across Flintshire should be for them and emergency vehicles only. This should be enforceable.’

In support of her Motion, Councillor Hinds spoke about the importance of such parking bays being available for residents, their carers and most importantly, the emergency services who may require urgent access.  She had received many objections about others using the parking bays and parents blocking access during school times.

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Attridge understood the need for some form of control but spoke about wider issues not just restricted to pensioners bungalows.  He referred to the programme of environment works across the County which included creating new parking provision and suggested that this could incorporate a review of current parking restrictions in those areas and identify where residents’ parking permits could be introduced, if supported.  He acknowledged that this may not address Councillor Hinds’ immediate concerns but suggested that officers could identify priority locations where parking was being abused and develop a residents’ permit parking policy, including effective consultation with affected users.  This approach would be subject to consultation with Councillor Carolyn Thomas, the Cabinet Member for Streetscene & Countryside.

Councillor Hinds indicated that she was satisfied with the amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Heesom.

The Chief Executive clarified that if supported, officers would endeavour to prioritise the types of accommodation highlighted by Councillor Hinds within the review.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas spoke in support of the amendment including the prioritised areas, subject to the necessary resources and funding being available.

Also speaking in favour of the amendment were Councillors Heesom, David Williams and Owen Thomas.

Councillor Carver asked whether the review would apply to Council owned bungalows only and he pointed out that accommodation was sometimes allocated to residents below pensionable age.

Councillor Peers asked for assurance that the review would include schemes previously identified across the County.

Councillor Gladys Healey said that the review should take into account the different needs of residents using this type of accommodation and number of vehicles per household.

Councillor Attridge clarified that the review would apply to Council owned sheltered accommodation and was separate to the Streetscene review.  Councillor Hinds indicated her agreement.

In response to the comments raised, the Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) explained that a policy for resident parking schemes had been introduced, involving a detailed process and extensive consultation.  In response to comments from Councillor Chris Dolphin, he said that whilst a list of areas was prioritised, a scheme had not yet been implemented as this required support from a requisite number of residents.

On being put the vote, the amendment was carried.

(ii)          Welsh Government Technical Advice Note (TAN) 1: Joint Housing Land Availability Studies (2015)

‘TAN1 is the most unfair planning process and can punish some communities more than others leaving that community to be overdeveloped and cannot cope with the infrastructure that is already there. Also not taking into account the wellbeing and social cohesion of that community e.g. far more four bedroomed houses leaving those who are ill, disabled, young, without cars and lower income families without public transport, etc because all these residents will have private vehicles. No room in schools, drainage not good enough, hospitals and doctors not coping, highways etc. We are separating communities not keeping them together.

It breaks up a community because we have it now where we never hardly see a resident from one of the new estates that has mainly 4 bedroomed houses. The other estate is a better mix of houses, and residents are making a contribution to the community.

This needs to be sent to the Welsh Government (WG) so fairness, social cohesion, wellbeing and common sense are the priority and not wealth of developers and estates with the correct housing built that are not planned like little boxes, not enough room between them and a good drive for at least two cars. Don't we learn?

The most important part of planning is what the community want and if the community has worked hard to do a Place Plan then this should be taken into consideration and come under any type of planning policy whether it be the LDP, etc.’

Councillor Hinds explained that she had submitted the Notice of Motion prior to the WG consultation on proposals to temporarily dis-apply paragraph 6.2 of TAN1 and sought Members’ support to respond to the consultation.  In highlighting the policy implications on communities, she referred to the planning appeal decision in her ward which had been passed under appeal.

As Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection, Councillor Bithell appealed to Members to endorse the recommendations agreed by Cabinet earlier in the day and to write individually to WG to abolish the policy.

The Chief Officer (Governance) read out a key extract from the response which had been summarised by the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) and agreed by Cabinet at the meeting earlier in the day:

1.    Council agrees with and fully supports the proposed dis-application of the relevant paragraph within TAN1 not only for the duration of the call for evidence but until such time as the outcome of the review is known and the actions in relation to revising TAN1 are understood.

2.    Clear evidence suggests that a significant and growing quantum of undeveloped planning permissions exists within Wales.  When current, emerging and adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) supply is measured against the rates that housing developers are currently building houses, all bar one Local Planning Authority (LPA) in Wales could demonstrate a five year supply on this basis.

3.    Council confirms that the dis-application of the relevant paragraph will significantly relieve the pressure it is experiencing to accept speculative development.

4.    This would enable the Council to maintain its focus on progressing the LDP which is at a critical stage in terms of preparing its deposit plan and where the Council must make decisions about allocating sufficient and sustainable sites to meet the Plan’s requirements.

5.    The scope of the review must be broad and challenging and not just to LPAs.  The building industry must be fully engaged with the review in a non-adversarial sense and must be prepared to be challenged and open in providing evidence of their genuine capacity to build homes within Wales.  This is from the perspective of existing permitted but as yet undeveloped units as well as bringing forward sites in Local Development Plans.  This must also fundamentally test the perception that exists of land banking as well as the approach to delivering housing in Wales.

6.    The outcome and actions from the review should be fully assessed and shared with all interested parties to avoid the undue haste at which TAN1 was previously reviewed and amended and the consequent issues that are now being experienced as a result of that hasty review.

Councillor Hinds indicated that the above covered her concerns.  This amendment was seconded by Councillor Attridge.

It was clarified by the Chief Executive that Council was being asked to support the Cabinet resolution.

Councillor Peers spoke in support of the Notice of Motion and Cabinet response to seek an end to TAN1 which was undermining the LDP.  He gave assurance that the Planning Strategy Group had considered the matter in detail and he asked what steps could be taken in the interim period to reduce the pressure on communities.

Speaking in support, Councillor David Healey said that representations should be made to WG to widen the scope of the review to reconsider the methodology used to calculate housing land supply.

Councillor David Williams raised points about seeking more protection for rural communities.

Councillor Heesom said that it may be appropriate to pursue a judicial review of the decision on the Penyffordd application whilst the consultation period was ongoing.

Councillor Butler explained that the Planning Strategy Group had been working on the matter for some time.  He said that collective support by the Council was needed including seeking suspension of TAN1 until the outcome of the review was known.  This view was shared by Councillor Owen Thomas.

In response to Councillor Peers’ question, the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) asked that Members collectively support the amended Notice of Motion and also individually respond to the WG consultation.  He gave assurance to Councillor Healey that as part of the call for evidence, the Council would highlight the flaw in the calculation to demonstrate a five year housing land supply, as evidenced by the low ratio of LPAs which could do so.  He went on to stress the need for an urgent decision by WG to dis-apply the relevant paragraph.

The Chief Officer (Governance) clarified that Members were being asked to endorse the Cabinet resolution including representations on the methodology for calculating housing land supply.

On being put to the vote, the Motion - as amended - was unanimously supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hinds be supported as follows:  ‘That the Council review residents’ parking generally across the County, to target and prioritise parking schemes outside Council sheltered bungalows and introduce on-street parking powers where possible.  As part of that review, to identify Council-owned land and parking bays, as referred to in the Notice of Motion, to identify where parking powers could be introduced.’

(b)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hinds be supported as follows: ‘That Members support the resolution of Cabinet on 19 June 2018 for a response to be made to Welsh Government as set out in the Cabinet report and specifically paragraph 1.07 including representations on the recalculation for housing land supply as part of the call for evidence.