Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and read out the Building Evacuation Procedure.

To receive any declarations of interest.

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

The minutes of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 19 July 2023 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning will be in attendance to update Panel Members on Middlesbrough’s new Local Plan.

Recommendation: for the Panel to receive and note the information provided.

The Head of Planning gave a presentation that provided an introduction to the Local Plan, how it was prepared, what it contained and the timeframe for development and approval.

The Local Plan was a statutory duty of the Council set out in legislation and had to be reviewed every five years.   It set out the Council’s policy on how development should take place and covered a period of 15+ years from the date of adoption.  Local Plans also provided a policy framework for making decisions on planning applications and were strategic to:

•           Make sufficient land available for development to deliver the needs and     priorities of an area.

•           Take into account other Council plans and strategies.

•           Seek to achieve a vision of what place should be like in the future.

•           Provide certainty and/or de-risk for investors/developers and residents.

Local plans were a primary consideration when determining planning applications.  However, this did not mean that planning applications would automatically be approved if they were in accordance with the Local Plan or refused if they were not.  

The policy framework set the context for preparing the Local Plan and included:

•           National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

•           National Policy Statements.

•           Specialist policy such as Gypsy and Traveller guidance.

•           Planning Practice Guidance.

Where the Local Plan was silent on an issue or there was a difference, the NPPF took precedence.  It was highlighted that the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill currently passing through Parliament, might have an impact on Local Plans.   National policy included development control considerations and was generally pro-growth and pro-development.

The Local Plan was not produced in isolation but in conjunction with the Council’s Strategic Plan as well as key strategies for transport, economic growth, housing and other policies.  The Tees Valley Combined Authority also had an important role in this area as well.

Middlesbrough’s current Local Plan comprised five documents:

•           Housing Local Plan - 2014.

•           Minerals and Waste - 2011.

•           Regeneration Development Plan Document (DPD) - 2009.

•           Core Strategy - 2008.

•           Middlesbrough Local Plan - 1999.

All plans were still relevant and referred to in decision making.  However some elements – such as green space policies – needed updating.

Neighbourhood Plans were currently in place in Marton West and Stainton and Thornton and others were in production.

There were tight controls on how Local Plans had to be prepared through legislation and National Planning Policy.  Significant public engagement and consultation was required and the evidence base had to be credible,  robust and up to date.  Council strategies were key to the evidence base which was examined at the approval stage.  The Council also had to co-operate with partners and strategic neighbours. 

An independent examination of the Local Plan would be completed by a Government Inspector who would test it against a number of criteria and not just the objectives.  Approval of the Local Plan was not a Council decision.

The timetable for review of Middlesbrough’s Local Plan was as follows:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23/9

Recommendation: Panel selects topics for the Scrutiny Panel’s Work Programme 2023-2024 for submission to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for approval.

The Democratic Services Officer presented a report, the purpose of which was to assist Members of the Panel to consider and agree its work programme for the 2023-2024 Municipal Year.

Some topical issues and a list of suggestions received in respect of the Scrutiny Panel's remit were contained in the submitted report.  It was suggested that the Scrutiny Panel should select two or three topics to review.

Members discussed the topics listed in the report and suggestions received from the Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture, Executive Member for Regeneration, Members, members of the public and the service area.  The Director of Regeneration and the Head of Planning were in attendance and provided additional information requested by Members at the meeting.

Members used the aid attached at Appendix 1 to prioritise issues where scrutiny could make an impact, add value, or contribute to policy development in order to determine which topics were suitable for inclusion in the work programme.

Following discussion, Panel Members agreed the following topics for review:

1.         Planning Capacity.

2.         How Middlesbrough Council can fund Culture in the future.

3.         Housing Association Properties.

AGREED as follows that:

1. The information provided was received and noted.

2.  The topics listed at 1 to 3 above, would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for approval.

The Chair will provide a verbal update on matters considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 26 July 2023.

The Chair provided a verbal update on items that were considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board which was held on 26 July 2023.

None.