Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B. Jones and G. B. Thomas and Executive Board Members L.M. Stephens (Deputy Leader), P.M. Hughes (Public Protection) and P. Hughes-Griffiths (Culture Sport and Tourism).

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS

Minutes:

Councillor

Minute Number

Nature of Interest

S.L. Davies

5 – Annual Monitoring Report 2016/17 Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan – Page 73 – GA2/h35 -Cefncaeau, Llanelli (280 units – S/34991)

Has previously expressed opposition to the planning application

S.L. Davies

5 – Annual Monitoring Report 2016/17 Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan – Page 73 – GA2/h45 – Genwen Farm, Bynea (240 units S/22242)

Has previously expressed opposition to the planning application

D. Cundy

5 – Annual Monitoring Report 2016/17 Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan – Page 73 – GA2/h45 – Genwen Farm, Bynea (240 units S/22242)

Has previously expressed opposition to the planning application

 

3.

DECLARATION OF PROHIBITED PARTY WHIPS

Minutes:

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED)

Minutes:

No public questions had been received.

5.

ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2016/17 CARMARTHENSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN pdf icon PDF 304 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(NOTE: Councillors D. Cundy and S.L. Davies had earlier declared non- pecuniary interests in this item in relation to the references on page 73 to planning applications S/34991 and S/22242)

 

The Committee received for consideration the 2016/17 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) on the operation of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan produced in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Local Development Plan (LDP) Regulations 2016. It was noted that the report was the second produced by the Authority, following the LDP’s formal adoption on the 10th December, 2014, and was to be submitted to the Welsh Government by the 31st October 2017.

 

The Committee noted that following completion of the AMR, it was being recommended that the Council undertake a review of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan which would need to:-

 

-        Consider and address the shortfall in available housing land supply and the interventions necessary,

-        Prepare further evidence on the implications and veracity of the 2014 sub-national Household and Population projections, and consider them in light of the review,

-        Consider the distribution and delivery of housing and the success or otherwise of the strategy, or its components in meeting the identified housing requirements.

 

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·        Reference was made to the fact the Council was due to debate the report in September, prior to its submission to the Welsh Government, and clarification sought on how elected members could submit observations on both the AMR and any review of the LDP.

 

The Forward Planning Manager confirmed that, in relation to the AMR, whilst elected members would have the opportunity to debate that at Council they could also submit observations direct to the department either individually or, on a party political basis. With regard to the recommendation to review the LDP, should that be adopted by the Council, a widespread public consultation exercise would be undertaken. The role/observations of elected members would be central to the review process along with those of other interested parties including developers, public sector bodies, town and community councils and the public.

 

The Head of Planning in referring to the AMR advised that whilst its content was factual, the role of elected members in its adoption was to question the statistics on which it had been produced. With regard to the proposed LDP review, the participation and involvement of elected members was critical to the whole review process.

·        In response to a question on land availability for housing development and the inclusion of sites within the LDP, the Committee was advised that the criteria for a sites inclusion was more stringent than previous with owners/developers of land having to prove intent to facilitate development. Accordingly, if that intent was not forthcoming, the inclusion of a site in the current, or previous development plans, would not be sufficient to warrant its inclusion under the review.

·        Reference was made to the findings of the 2017 Joint Housing Land Study indicating the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

CARMARTHENSHIRE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY - UPDATE AND PROGRESS REPORT pdf icon PDF 438 KB

Minutes:

Further to Minute 8 of its meeting held on the 29th September, 2016, the Committee received a progress report on the preparatory works undertaken on the process for the adoption of a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for Carmarthenshire, in accordance with Council’s decision on the 13th January 2016.

 

The Forward Planning Manager drew the Committees attention to the national position with regard to the CIL, whereby the UK Government was considering the findings of an independent national review thereof which included a recommendation for its replacement with a hybrid model with the approach of adopting a combination of a low level Local Infrastructure Tariff (LIT) and Section 106 for larger developments. Whilst that was the position in England, in Wales, the situation was different as, under the provisions of the Wales Act 2017, the decision on CIL’s became a devolved matter, with powers in respect thereof to be transferred to the Welsh Government in April 2018, which would also require the publication of a Transfer of Functions Order to enable Welsh Ministers to modify existing legislation. Should the Ministers then consider it appropriate to rewrite the CIL Regulations, it was possible further regulations would be required to facilitate those amendments.

 

The Forward Planning Manager advised that as the Welsh Governments approach to CIL’s was unclear on whether it wished to proceed with their adoption, as set out within regulation, amend or abandon them, it was considered the preparation of a CIL for Carmarthenshire should be held in abeyance pending Welsh Government clarification on its position. Should Council endorse that approach, the current requirements in relation to Section 106 Agreements and developer contributions remained relevant and continue to be implemented to ensure compliance with LDP policy thereby ensuring developers, communities and the public would have clarity on the contributions to be sought from any development. Such contributions would also be sought in accordance with the CIL Regulations, including that in respect of pooling limitations.

 

It was noted that a further report would be submitted to Council when a clear direction was available on the future of the CIL, its replacement, or any changes to the CIL Regulations.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COUNCIL THAT:

6.1

The current position on the future of Community Infrastructure Levy, both within a national and Welsh context be noted.

6.2

Progress on the preparation of a Carmarthenshire CIL be held in abeyance pending the outcome of future considerations of the Welsh Government as a result of the Wales Act.

6.3

A further report be presented when there was a clear indication on the future of the CIL, any changes to the CIL regulations or proposals for a replacement tariff

6.4

The progress to date be noted and the representations received be utilised to inform any future work on the CIL or, any replacement

 

7.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 30TH MARCH, 2017 pdf icon PDF 258 KB

Minutes:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 30th March 2017 be signed as a correct record.

 

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