Issue - meetings

To set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel.

The Chairman introduced the report, and the following points were raised:

In respect of Appendix A

• This would be populated with 2024/2025 meeting dates and planned items when the schedule of meetings had been finalised;
• Two longstanding pending items which related to ‘Planning Reform’ and ‘Planning Design’, and which awaited clarification from the production of a Government White Paper, were debated as to whether they remain on the Work Programme;
  • In relation to Planning Design, members referred to the dormant Planning Design Task Group at Appendix B and stated that:
    • The production of a design guide could improve the aesthetics of new buildings and help to address the issue of vinyl window coverings; and
    • Whilst it was acknowledged that progress of the Task Group had awaited the Government White Paper, the issues were still considered pertinent and members therefore agreed that the Assistant Director - Planning and Strategic Infrastructure be requested to update the Panel on the current position, by way of a briefing note, at the next Policy Development Panel meeting.

In respect of Appendix B

• This detailed ongoing Task Groups and those that had been identified for future investigation:
  • The Street Scene Task Group had changed its name to the Business Frontage Task Group and positive progress was being made; a number of interviews had taken place and further witnesses had been identified, including Lincolnshire Police;
    • Members noted that the issue of vinyl window coverings in Holbeach had featured on the front page of the current edition of the local press and that the issue had also been raised as a matter of concern by members of Boston Borough Council.
  • A Special meeting of the Joint Performance Monitoring Panel and Policy Development Panel was scheduled for 18 April 2024 to update members in respect of the South Holland Centre; and
  • The Devolution Task Group could be removed from Appendix B.

Members were encouraged to raise any issues from their wards that could be investigated by way of a Task Group.

AGREED:

That the Work Programme report be noted.