Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Collett with Councillor Cook substituting in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2021.

It was moved by Councillor Webber-Jones, seconded by Councillor Cook and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June be confirmed as a correct record.

No interests were declared.

To provide a briefing on recent DEFRA consultations and potential implications for HBBC.

Members received a briefing on recent DEFRA consultations and potential implications for HBBC. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The benefits of some of the initiatives in combatting climate change

·         Concern regarding the financial aspects of delivering the changes and what costs would be met by the government

·         The timing being incompatible with the contract for our current fleet

·         The importance of retaining comingled recycling

·         The need to collect food waste weekly to avoid pest control issues.

RESOLVED – representations be made as follows:

(i)            The emphasis on recycling be welcomed;

(ii)          The emphasis on improving services for residents be welcomed;

(iii)         Local councils should be tasked with finding the solution rather than the methods being imposed upon them due to the council knowing the area and its residents better than the central government;

(iv)         The changes should be funded by the government in a sustainable manner;

(v)          A meeting be arranged with the MP to express members’ concerns.

Councillor Lynch left the meeting at 7.18pm.

To inform members of the requirement of an Infrastructure Funding Statement.

Consideration was given to the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2019-20. During discussion, the following matters were raised:

·         The likely impact of planning reforms

·         The need for all authorities that collect S106 contributions to produce a similar statement

·         The importance of considering benefits of S106 contributions to those communities that had had development in their area;

·         The need for a breakdown of CCG spending of developer contributions.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The report be noted;

(ii)          Infrastructure funding statement produced by other public bodies locally, including Leicestershire County Council, be brought to the Scrutiny Commission.

To update members on progress with the development of a new local plan.

A progress update was provided with regard to the development of the new local plan. During discussion, the following comments were made:

·         The risk of confusion in consulting on the local plan at the same time as some areas were undertaking the neighbourhood development planning process

·         The importance of broadband installation and climate change mitigation policies within the new local plan

·         The need to communicate clearly to the public that there were several stages to the process with later stages containing more detailed information about site allocations and housing numbers and the need to retain their engagement throughout the lengthy processes

·         The number of other consultations taking place in relation to planning towards the end of 2021.

A member expressed concern that a consultation event was not taking place in Barwell or Earl Shilton given that the sustainable urban extensions in those areas had not yet been delivered and residents should have the opportunity to see how this was impacted by the local plan. In responses, officers stated they were happy to meet with individual town and parish councils and would consider the request to hold events in further areas.