Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development  which seeks approval to undertake a 6 week consultation exercise regarding the Inspector’s recommended proposed ‘Main Modifications’ to the Core Strategy Selective Review, which is proposed to commence on 17th May 2019 and conclude on 28th June 2019.

Further to Minute No. 17, 27^th June 2018, the Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update on the current position regarding the Core Strategy Selective Review (CSSR), presented details of the Inspector’s recommended proposed ‘Main Modifications’ to the CSSR and which sought approval to undertake a 6 week consultation exercise on such ‘Main Modifications’, which is proposed to commence on 17^th May 2019 and conclude on 28th June 2019.

Councillor P Gruen, in his position as Chair of Development Plan Panel (DPP), attended the meeting. As part of his introduction, Councillor Gruen provided an update on the CSSR approval process to date and emphasised the need for it to continue without delay and for the Council to be in a position to formally adopt the CSSR at the earliest opportunity.

Also, it was noted that DPP had considered this matter on 15^th May 2019 and was in unanimous agreement with the contents of the report, the schedule of the Inspector’s proposed Main Modifications and the related Sustainability Appraisal as submitted to the Panel. As such, Councillor Gruen confirmed that DPP had endorsed the recommendation, that Executive Board approve such documents for the purposes of them being the subject of a 6 week public consultation exercise. 

In considering this matter, Members reiterated the need for the CSSR to progress without delay and supported the recommendation to approve the associated public consultation exercise, given that this was the required next stage in that process.  It was also noted that further Member comment regarding the Council’s housing land supply position was intended to be made at the appropriate time, given that the related Housing Requirement Policy was not changed by the Inspector’s proposed Main Modifications being considered at this meeting.

Members also noted the national discussion taking place, and the need for the Council to continue take a cross-party approach, where appropriate, when looking to make related representations to Government in order to secure the best development and protection for the city.

The importance of the Climate Change agenda was highlighted, following the Council’s recent declaration of a ‘Climate Emergency’, and how such matters needed to be at the forefront of considerations as part of the Council’s strategic planning process.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Board the Chair extended her thanks to officers for their significant efforts in getting the CSSR to this advanced position.

RESOLVED – That approval be given for the Inspector’s Schedule of proposed Main Modifications, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the submitted report, together with the Sustainability Appraisal of the Main Modifications, as detailed at Appendix 2 of the submitted report, to be the subject of a 6 week period of public consultation.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget & Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)