To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on 16th November, 14th and 21st December, 2006 and 18th January, 2007.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor R.J. Phillips, presented the report of the meetings of Cabinet held on 16th November, 14th and 21 December, 2006 and 18th January, 2007.

In relation to Item 1.1 Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - In response to a number of questions about councillors ability to vote on planning issues, having already voted on the UDP, the Chief Executive advised that the two issues involved separate processes.  The UDP was an overall plan to decide what development should or should not be permitted; the planning process would address individual planning applications within the context of the UDP.  Even though Councillors had voted on the UDP they would still be able to vote on the detailed planning applications.

A number of Members voiced concerns about the proposed housing development at Bullinghope, in particular: the lack of additional infrastructure to support the proposed number of houses; the eventual sell-out price of the housing and the absence of affordable housing; that the number of houses eventually built on the site could be up to 2,000; increase in traffic on the Ross Road and Belmont roundabout; alternative options for funding the Rotherwas Access Road.

The Leader reminded Council, that although there were no plans for affordable housing on this particular site, he had been the one who had proposed a recommendation to amend the UDP to increase the amount of affordable housing to 40%.  He said that the affordability of homes was a national problem that needed to be addressed by central government and that the Council needed to contribute to those discussions. 

He stated that the Council should secure appropriate contributions from the developers by way of Section 106 agreements.  Too often in the past the Council had granted permission for large housing schemes but had not secured as much as it should to support the additional public infrastructure required.  He said there would never be enough public money for Herefordshire to solve its transport issues and so the Council needed to maximise its income in the best way possible.

He acknowledged that Herefordshire had a low wage economy and high housing costs but said the county needed to attract better paid jobs.  It was important that the 2,000 jobs at Rotherwas be protected and the Council needed to do what it could to support existing businesses as well as attract new ones.  He spoke of the redevelopment of the Edgar Street Grid, but said that in order to maintain the economic viability, of Herefordshire, the Council would also have to look at development of sites other than brownfield sites.  All future developments in the County would need to take account of and reduce the impact of climate change and travel.

He said that Herefordshire was not a big part of central government's agenda and would need to look after itself.  If it failed people would have neither houses nor jobs.  He finished by saying he felt that adopting the UDP was the best option for the County.

In relation to Item 9.1(i) Policy Statement for the Use of the Rivers Wye and Lugg - In response to a question as to whether the Council was continuing to protect the fishing rights passed on by the City Council, Councillor Wilcox advised members to consider the consultation paper and make appropriate representations.

In relation to Item 10.1(i) The Council's Investment in the Maylords Shopping Centre - In response to a request that the City Council be informed of any matters of considerable importance to the City before they were reported in the Hereford Times, the Leader advised that the matter had been reported in the Cabinet papers which were available to all Members.  However, important confidential papers, exposing the Council's negotiating position had been leaked to the press.  He invited any Councillor with knowledge of how this leak might have occurred to contact him outside the meeting.

In relation to Item 11.1(i) Hereford Livestock Market - In response to queries about the size of the site identified for the new market and what would eventually be built on the site; whether a covenant prohibiting housing on the site could be lifted in the future, and whether the football ground would be moving from Edgar Street,  the Leader said there would be no supermarket on the site, no housing and the football ground would not be relocating.

He went on the confirm that the site had been agreed in line with the UDP, and that development of the site would be restricted to a livestock market and agriculture-related businesses.  He advised that the additional acreage had been subject to a Scrutiny review and that there had been across party political support for the identified site.

In response to further comments that the Council did not need an additional 40 acres of land for the storage of water for the Edgar Street Grid which had its own canal basin, and that many farmers had stopped using the cattle market in favour of the internet, The Leader replied that the water storage facility would be beneficial to the Edgar Street Grid.  He said that the County relied on its landscape for tourism and the landscape was dependent on animals.  He acknowledged that some farmers had stopped using the livestock market but hoped that they would return to the new facility.  He commended Councillor Mayson for his efforts in identifying the site which had been acceptable to all political groups.

In response to a further query he agreed that there would be full consultation with the public and interested parties at the pre-planning stage.

Councillor T.M. James, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, corrected some misinformation about the market.  He said that the vast majority of cattle traded at the market was for breeding livestock and store stock.  He said there was no internet market for these animals.  He also said that it was appropriate for the Council to purchase the additional land for water storage to facilitate the development of the Edgar Street Grid.  He said this would be a good medium term investment for the Council.  He also said that in his opinion the site would never be used for housing as the Environment Agency would not allow it.

Councillor A.C.R. Chappell, the Leader of the Labour Party also supported the Leader in the acquisition of the site for the livestock market.  He said that this was the best site for the market and would also be of great benefit to the city as a holding area to relieve flooding.

In relation to Item 12.1(i) - Future Social Care Needs for Older People and Adults with Learning Disabilities in Herefordshire - The Councillor for Kerne Bridge passed on praise for the officers in the Adult and Community Services Directorate who had dealt with a complaint about a residential home on behalf of a family in his ward.  The family of the man who had died felt that the officers investigation had been exemplary.

Councillor Chappell referred to his written question which had not been answered earlier in the meeting.  He advised that one carer had made 17 visits during an eight hour shift and he was aware of other carers in South Wye making similar numbers of visits.  Councillor Mrs. Barnett, Cabinet Member (Social Care Adults and Health) said that the matter was being investigated and she would report back to Councillor Chappell.  She said that she shared his concerns and patients welfare must come first. 

The Leader referred to the expected increase in people over the age of 85 in the community and said that the Council would need to be prepared for the future, but that it was also a national problem.  The sector was generally low paid but a large degree of trust was required.  People were not being attracted into the business.

One councillor said that not all old people wanted to remain in their own homes.  Many were happy to live in residential homes where they had additional support.  She said the Council should be canvassing people about their future needs.

In relation to Item 12.1(iii) - Homelessness Update - One Councillor felt that the Homelessness Strategy needed to be linked to the planning process.  Many elderly people were being supported at home while many were living in poorly designed, inefficient, old people's homes.  He also said young people needed to be encouraged to stay in the community as society would be relying on them in the future to look after the elderly.

The Leader moved the report.

Councillor Chappell requested that a separate vote be taken on the UDP.  The Chief Executive advised that the opportunity to move an amendment or separate vote arose when the relevant item was called.  The motion before the Council was to accept the report as a whole.

Councillor Chappell supported by Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes again asked for a separate vote citing the unusual circumstances earlier in the meeting.

The Chief Executive again advised that the proper time to make an amendment to the report was when it was being discussed. 

28 Members voted in favour of the whole report with 11 voting against.

RESOLVED:  That the reports from the meetings of Cabinet held on 16th November, 14th and 21 December, 2006 and 18th January, 2007 be received and the recommendations set out below be adopted:

That   (a)       the responses and recommendations set out in the  Schedules attached to the report, regarding duly made representations to the UDP Proposed Modifications and the Statement of Decisions and Reasons be approved;

(b)no further Modifications materially affecting the content of the Plan need to be made, and a further Inquiry is not required; 

(c)the minor changes set out in the report be included within the Plan without the need for further modifications;

(d)a Statement of Decisions and Reasons be published in respect of the Council’s consideration of the representations;

(e)the UDP be adopted and that the requisite statutory procedures be undertaken to give notice of intention to adopt the Plan;

(f)the UDP be adopted on the day after the expiry of the period given by the Council in the notice of intention to adopt, provided that no direction to modify or call in the Plan has been made by the Secretary of State; and

(g)              notice of adoption be given in accordance with the statutory procedures.