To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors JM Bartlett, MT McEvilly and NE Shaw.

Agenda item 5:  Local Transport Plan

Councillor A Seldon declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Director of Bromyard Community Transport.

To receive questions from members of the public relating to items on the agenda. The deadline for public questions for the extraordinary meeting has been extended to 10am on Monday 16 May.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To recommend the Weston-under-Penyard neighbourhood development plan to Council for adoption as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; to recommend to Council the adoption of the policies map which accompanies the Herefordshire Local Plan together with the required consequential amendments in connection with the adoption of the Weston-under-Penyard neighbourhood plan; and to recommend to Council arrangements for efficient adoption of future neighbourhood development plans and policies map amendments.

Council was asked to adopt the Weston-under-Penyard neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; to adopt the policies map which accompanies the Herefordshire local plan together with the required consequential amendments in connection with the adoption of the Weston-under-Penyard neighbourhood plan; and to approve arrangements for future efficient adoption of future neighbourhood development plans and policies map amendments.

Councillor H Bramer, local ward member, congratulated Weston-under-Penyard Parish Council and its Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Steering Group on their thorough and professional work to produce the NDP, which at the referendum on the Plan had commanded the support of 96% of respondents.  He also thanked Herefordshire Council and its officers for their support.

Councillor Powers, speaking on behalf of It’s Our County Group, added his congratulations to Weston-under-Penyard Parish Council and the NDP Steering Group.  He did, however, comment that some other NDP Steering Groups had expressed reservations about the capacity of the Council to provide timely advice to them.  He sought an assurance that there was capacity to support the many other NDPs in progress and avoid unnecessary delay in progressing them. He added that it would be critical to ensure that a 5 year housing land supply was in place to enable the NDPs to recognise their full value.

A number of other members congratulated the Parish Council on completing the NDP.

The cabinet member – infrastructure commented that there was capacity within the planning service to support the NDP process.  Capacity would also be needed within the Council to manage the associated referendums.  He clarified that any community infrastructure levy money raised through development could only be spent by parish councils on infrastructure and infrastructure projects but noted that money could be shared with neighbouring parishes for such purposes.

Councillor Price moved the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Bramer.

RESOLVED;

(a)        to ‘make’ the Weston-under-Penyard neighbourhood development plan, as published on Herefordshire Council’s website as referenced at paragraph 14 of the report, and adopt it as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire;

(b)       the Herefordshire local plan policies map, as published on Herefordshire Council’s website as referenced at paragraph 16 of the report, be adopted; and

(c)        authority be delegated to the cabinet member infrastructure to undertake future adoption of neighbourhood development plans, and to approve any consequential amendments to the countywide policies map.

To adopt the local transport plan (2016-2031).

Council was asked to adopt the local transport plan (LTP) (2016-2031).

Councillor PD Price, cabinet member – infrastructure presented the report.  He commented on:

·        The purpose of the Local Transport Plan and its importance, including its role in the direction of resources and attraction of additional funds.

·        Key points about the Plan, including: its co-ordination with the core strategy and support of the strategy for economic growth – including new homes and jobs; its proposals for key enabling infrastructure required for housing and growth and employment land development; and its proposals and policies for the market towns and wider rural area.

·        How the Plan had been finalised including a summary of improvements resulting from consultation.

In the debate the following principal points were made:

·        There was significant congestion on the A465 Belmont road to the detriment of local residents. It was important to provide a link between the A465 and the A49 joining to the Rotherwas Relief Road via a new bridge.  Any road infrastructure needed to be supported by Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs).  An assurance was sought that the South Wye transport package would deliver improvements supported by TROs.

The cabinet member – infrastructure gave an assurance that the intention was to secure improvement and deliver sustainable travel in the location and obtain the necessary funding.  However, provision of sustainable travel in the City was dependent on removing freight and through traffic from the City.

·        The cabinet support member – business development highlighted the concerns businesses had about traffic congestion and the support of the business community for a Hereford Bypass and City link road. 

The cabinet member – infrastructure commented that he was aware of that support.  Growth in Herefordshire was dependent on providing supporting infrastructure.

·        In relation to securing the provision of a 5 year housing land supply the cabinet member – infrastructure commented that the provision of road infrastructure would enable the Council to develop its strategic housing sites and secure a 5 year housing land supply within a reasonable timescale.

·        Insufficient account had been taken of the large reduction in traffic in the City during school holiday times.  Sustainable travel to schools should be given greater weight in the LTP.

The cabinet member –infrastructure commented that he had sought to encourage the education sector to consider sustainable travel options.  The provision of infrastructure to move traffic outside the city centre would free up space for sustainable travel measures in the City.

·        The importance of maintaining the existing highway network should not be overlooked.  The cabinet member – infrastructure commented in response that the council would continue to maintain the existing network.  An asset management tool was being used to prioritise maintenance and it also provided a good evidence base for seeking additional funding from government if resources became available.

·        The cabinet member – transport and roads acknowledged concerns about the TRO process and the wish to speed it up.  He commented that a policy of packaging TROs was being developed within the City.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.