Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair had submitted his apologies and therefore nominations for Chair were sought from the table.

Councillor Hobson was nominated and seconded.

AGREED

That Councillor J Hobson take the role of the Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councilllor Polano (Chair), A Preston, M Smiles and S Walker.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

AGREED - in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, the Chair agreed to vary the order of business to agenda item 4,3,5,6,7 and 8.

Paul Clarke, Head of Planning will provide an update to the working group.

Alex Conti, Strategic Policy Manager was in attendance to provide a presentation on the Local Plan.

The Working Group were advised that Council approved the decision to cease work on the emerging Local Plan and commence work on a new Local Plan and a new Local Development Scheme, this was as a result of :

–         Changes to policy and legislation

–         Change in strategic priorities

–         Some baseline information being out of date

–         Impact of Covid and Brexit

•          Withdrawal Statement & LDS published & consultees notified

The stages of the new Local Development Scheme were set out in the presentation. The officer advised that there had been a delay in the submission of the scoping document being submitted to Full Council and this would now be submitted on 30 November 2022. This delay is because the Full Council meeting in October will now be an extraordinary meeting. This delay will impact the commencement of the consultation (likely to commence in December 2022 and finish in January 2023).

AGREED-

That the update and amended time scales for the LDS in terms of the Local Plan Scoping Report be noted.

The minutes of the Local plan working group held on 22 December 2020 were submitted and approved as a true record.

The Local Plan Working Group is asked to consider the Draft Local Plan Scoping report.

Alex Conti, Strategic Policy Manager presented the Local Plan Scoping Report to the Working Group.

Under Regulation 18 – Preparation of a Local Plan there is a requirement for the Council to;

–       Notify statutory and general consultees of the subject of the local plan that the Council proposes to prepare

–       Invite representations about what a local plan with that subject ought to contain

The Council will accept representations for a period of at least 6 weeks.

In terms of the New Local Plan, the Council was proposing to cover the whole of the local authority area and the plan would cover the period 2022 – 2039.

A member queried the planning matters which would be covered and it was clarified that the Local Plan would cover all planning matters except Minerals & Waste. These matters would be as follows:

–       Sustainable development

–       Housing

–       Economy

–       Town Centres

–       Healthy & Safe communities

–       Sustainable transport

–       Communications

–       Effective use of land

–       High Quality Design

–       Climate Change and Flooding

–       Natural Environment

–       Historic Environment

Other plans and strategies that have been adopted by the Council will be taken into account when preparing the new Local Plan. The Council also has an established evidence base, and will continue to keep this under review to ensure it remains up-to-date as the new Local Plan is prepared.

The presentation also contained the objectives for the Scoping Report, these were as follows:

1. To deliver new high quality, well-designed development that meets the needs and aspirations of our current and future residents
2. To revitalise Middlesbrough Town Centre through diversifying our retail and leisure offer, and attracting new urban dwellers
3. To strengthen our local economy by supporting existing businesses and attracting new employers
4. To build high quality homes that help strengthen our communities
5. To protect and enhance our Green and Blue Infrastructure Network
6. To ensure that new development is properly served by new and improved physical, social and environmental infrastructure
7. To recognise and value our historical and culturally important assets; and
8. To achieve healthy and safe communities

Members had an opportunity to comment on the objectives and a number of comments were made in relation to transport, areas of housing and also the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). It was made clear that the Local Plan would still need to be produced regardless of the MDC and officers were unable to comment on the MDC. Officers agreed to look again at the Objectives in relation to the inclusion of transport and energy efficiency.

The officers further discussed that consultation questions which would be included within the consultation. The Working Group were advised that as part of the consultation, the Council were not obliged to ask questions but this would give a steer and get some themed answers. The questions suggested were as follows;

1. Is the proposed geographical area (i.e. the whole of Middlesbrough Local Authority Area) appropriate for preparing a new Local Plan?
2. Is the proposed plan period of 2022 – 2039  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21/15

The Local Plan Working Group is asked to consider the Draft Local Plan Scoping Report Consultation Plan.

The consultation plan has been discussed under the previous item, draft Local Plan Scoping Report.

AGREED- That the consultation plan be noted

The Local Plan Working Group will consider the future work programme.

Any other urgent items which in the opinion of the Chair, may be considered.

No items.