Issue - meetings

Report seeking agreement to consult on a Strategic Grown Statement and approval of costs associated with the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan.

The Strategic Growth Statement for Leicester and Leicestershire was presented to Council. It was moved by Councillor Surtees and seconded by Councillor Hall that the recommendations within the report be approved.

During discussion on the motion, concern was expressed that awareness with regard to the need for housing should be raised – it was noted that the Scrutiny Commission had asked for the Communications team to work with the other Leicestershire authorities on this matter. Members highlighted the positive aspect of Neighbourhood Planning which would allow some control for parishes.

Some members felt that they had not had adequate opportunity to review the document and there was insufficient detail within the document upon which consultation could take place. Members were advised that the document had been presented to the Planning Policy working group and had been endorsed by the Scrutiny Commission on 16 June 2016.

Councillor Bill proposed an amendment to the motion but it was confirmed that the amendment was considered significant and therefore, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.6(b), should have been submitted in writing by 5pm. The amendment was therefore not pursued.

Councillor Bill, along with four other Councillors, stood to request that voting upon the original motion be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:

Councillors Bessant, Camamile, Cook, Hall, Kirby, Ladkin, Morrell, Nickerson, Richards, Rooney, Smith, Surtees, Sutton, Wallace, Ward, Williams and Wright voted FOR the motion (17);

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch and Witherford voted AGAINST the motion (7);

Councillors Allen, Lay, Nichols and O’Shea abstained from voting.

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            Consultation on the Strategic Growth Statement for Leicester and Leicestershire starting in late July 2016 be approved;

(ii)           The costs related to the production of the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan be approved.

To consider and support commencing consultation on the Strategic Growth Statement.

The Scrutiny Commission was consulted on the Strategic Growth Statement for Leicester and Leicestershire. It was noted that this would engender a more strategic approach to meeting future development needs across the county and ensure that the countywide infrastructure could support growth.

A member expressed concern that the public was not aware of the need for development and it was agreed that this should be communicated on a continuous basis to raise awareness of why additional houses, employment and infrastructure were necessary.

The poor rail infrastructure in Leicestershire was highlighted, and it was noted that the County Council had commissioned a draft rail strategy and that cross border communications between transport authorities were improving. Officers agreed to obtain a copy of a report going to the County Council’s Cabinet in relation to this and to invite a representative to the Scrutiny Commission to present it.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The Strategic Growth Statement for Leicester and Leicestershire for consultation starting in July 2016 be endorsed;

(ii)           The costs related to the production of the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan be noted;

(iii)          Continuous communication take place to raise awareness of the need for development;

(iv)         The County Council be invited to present the draft rail strategy to the Scrutiny Commission.