Issue - meetings

To provide an update on the performance of the planning service.

Members received an update on the performance of the planning service and it was reported that there had been an increase in income levels as the number of planning and pre-planning applications had increased.

The following responses were given to questions from members:

•With regards to the Sustainable Urban Extensions (SUEs) at Barwell and Earl

Shilton planning applications were expected from Persimmon Homes for the northern part of the SUE before the end of the year and from the Barwood, Bloor and Jelson consortium early next year

•Planning permission had been issued for the redevelopment of the old leisure centre site

•The calculation for the criteria for the five year housing land supply was robust but would need to be maintained for future years

•There should be no outstanding appeals for major applications (of ten dwellings or more) from the period before 31 March 2020 but there may be in the next rolling period up to 31 March 2021. Any appeals would be published in the report in Planning Committees

•No recognition had been given when HBBC delivered 20% above target on the delivery test last year

•The career graduate programme had been successful and positive feedback had been received. The risks highlighted were linked to recruiting officers with five or more years experience and to senior roles

•A full report on the Local Plan Review would be provided to members before it went to public consultation

•It was clarified that the total funding for the Heritage Action Zone was £1.8m

Councillor LJ Mullaney left the meeting at 6.50pm

Members noted the report and thanked officers.