To agree further research and consultation; to recommend to Council revisions to the timetable for preparation of the Local Development Framework; and to recommend to Council interim arrangements in respect of the Local Transport Plan.

The Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation presented the report along with the Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing.  Cabinet was advised of the following points:

• The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is aligned to the Local Development Framework (LDF), both of which are budget and policy framework items requiring approval by Council.
• The Council is required to adopt the LTP by 1 April 2011.  Due to additional research, the impact of the Localism Bill and the issue that the LTP is aligned to the LDF, it is proposed that the current LTP 2 is adopted as the interim LTP3 until planning issues are addressed and the LDF is finalised.
• That the Economic Development Strategy is considered by Council at the same time.
• Parish Councils to be consulted in July with a deadline date of October 2011 for comments.
• Noted that delegated authority has been given to the Leader of the Council and relevant Cabinet Member in order to take into consideration the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee without the calling of an additional Cabinet meeting.
• Significant consultative work on the proposals has already been carried out with local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce.
• Whilst the authority must, currently, comply with the Regional Strategy, it is due to be revoked by Act of Parliament later in 2011. This will allow flexibility, especially with regards to housing targets and distribution, in the LDF.
• In response to a question on house building, Cabinet was advised that the current rate of house building was currently low and that the level of growth in the county needed to be taken into account.
• There was concern by some Members that the report did not fully reflect the views of the public.  It was noted however, that there had been a move towards consensus across a large part of the county.

RESOLVED:

            THAT:

1.        Additional research and  advice on the impact of the Localism Bill along with further consultation, including an advisory community poll, be undertaken to inform the development of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, and a further report on the detail of this consultation be brought to Cabinet in June;

2.         It be recommended to Council that:

(a)                    the Local Development Framework timetable be revised as set out in the table at paragraph 11 below;

(b)                   the linkage between the Local Development Framework and Local Transport Plan, and the consequent impact on the Local Transport Plan timetable be noted;

(c)                    the existing Local Transport Plan 2 be adopted as the Council’s interim Local Transport Plan3 pending finalisation of the Local Development Framework submission; and

3.         Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members, to take account of any views the Overview & Scrutiny Committee may express on the proposals above in drawing up Cabinet’s final recommendations for consideration by Council.