Agenda and minutes

(Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of dispensation.)

No interests were declared.

To sign as a correct record the notes of the meeting of the South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee meeting held on 22 April 2016 (copy enclosed).

The minutes of the South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee meeting held on 22 April 2016 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to Councillor Brown’s Christian name being corrected to David, with reference to the first paragraph.

To consider the “Tests of Soundness” relating to the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.  (Report of the Deputy Joint Policy Unit Manager enclosed.)

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Joint Policy Unit Manager, which asked members to consider the ‘tests of soundness’ relating to the current preparation of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. This preparation had now reached the statutory public consultation stage known as the ‘Publication’ stage. This was the stage prior to the submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State and at which the tests of soundness were considered.

The South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee had been asked to formally respond to the public consultation, particularly with regard to the Duty to Cooperate element of the tests of soundness, and issues relating to the provision of infrastructure and housing.

The Deputy Joint Policy Unit Manager drew attention to paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of his report which outlined the different approaches adopted by Central Lincolnshire and South East Lincolnshire in calculating objectively-assessed housing need. In essence, Central Lincolnshire had increased its figures on the basis of assuming stronger economic growth in the area. He reported that he had previously been involved in correspondence with the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Manager on this matter and that he was relatively content with what had taken place.

The Chairman clarified the situation and sought views.

Councillor Austin indicated that she was aware that in ‘rural’ North Kesteven District there was some disquiet about the high level of housing provision proposed for that area; and enquired as to whether the Central Lincolnshire approach made any difference to the level of housing compared with that of South East Lincolnshire.

The Deputy Joint Policy Unit Manager responded that the Central Lincolnshire approach had resulted in significantly higher housing provision and cited Sleaford as an example.  He considered that this could be an issue, but couldn’t indicate its nature at present. He suggested that perhaps the matter was best left to the Inspector to consider at the future Examination of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.  

Councillor Alcock enquired as to what the impact would be on South East Lincolnshire’s housing figures if Central Lincolnshire’s approach were to be adopted.

The Joint Policy Unit Manager made clear that a common methodology had been used to prepare separate housing-need assessments for the Boston Borough and South Holland District elements of the Local Plan area. Moreover, South Holland District’s assessment had been prepared in the context of a Peterborough Sub-Regional Strategic Housing Market Assessment which included Peterborough City, Rutland County and South Kesteven District Councils. 

The Chairman concluded the discussion by querying where Central Lincolnshire had got their information to support such an approach.

AGREED:

That the preparation of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan meets the tests of soundness.

Note:          No other business is permitted unless by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the minutes, the Chairman is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was none.