Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a request for scrutiny of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

Referring to Minute 29 of the meeting held on 7^th September 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on a request for scrutiny of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Parish Council Representation on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Study – Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development – Scrutiny Board (City Development) – 7^th September 2010 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Request for Scrutiny – Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment from Councillor G E Hall, Barwick-in-Elmet and Scholes Parish Council –Scrutiny Board (City Development) – 7^th September 2010 (Appendix 2 refers)
• Consultation on the Local Development Framework/Core Strategy and the Strategic Housing Land Availability Study Update – Report of the Director of City Development – Scrutiny Board (City Development) – 5^th October 2010 (Appendix 3 refers)

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Councillor G E Hall, Barwick –in-Elmet and Scholes Parish Council

Robin Coghlan, Team Leader Planning Policy, City Development

The Board were informed that Steve Speak, Deputy Planning Officer, City Development had conveyed his apologies for this item. The Board again requested the Principal Scrutiny Adviser to advise relevant officers of the importance of attending the meeting to assist the Board with their scrutiny deliberations.

Prior to discussing this issue, the Chair sought the initial views of Councillor G E Hall on whether or not he was in agreement with the Director of City Development’s proposals for community engagement and for updating the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment in their latest report.

Councillor G E Hall responded and informed the meeting that, in principle, he was in agreement with the proposals outlined within the report, However he made specific reference to Sections 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5 and 4.6 in the report where further clarification of the proposals was sought from the Team Leader, Policy Team, City Development.

At the request of the Chair, Robin Coghlan, Team Leader Planning Policy, City Development responded to the individual points raised by Councillor G E Hall. It was reported that officers were still waiting for a steer from the Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Development and Regeneration on this matter.

Following a brief discussion, the Chair enquired if Councillor G E Hall would be satisfied if the Board approved option (iii) as outlined in 4.5 of the report i.e. offer to request that the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Partnership extends membership to include Parish Council representation, or some other local community representation.

Councillor G E Hall responded and confirmed that he would welcome the Board’s approval to this option, but stated that it was imperative

that, if agreed, the option should be implemented by officers without delay.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be received and noted.

b)  To recommend to the Leeds’ SHLAA Partnership that it extends its membership to include Parish Council representation, or some other local community representation in accordance with option (iii) paragraph 4.5 of the Director of City Development’s report.

c)  That in the circumstances no further action be taken with regard to Councillor G E Hall’s requerst for scrutiny of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).