To inform the Committee of how matters have progressed on the issues reported to Cabinet in July 2012 and to set out the consultation process to be undertaken by the Council. This report does not detail the content of the Core Strategy itself.

The Committee were informed of how matters had progressed since the report to Cabinet in July 2012 and considered the consultation process to be undertaken in progressing the Local Development Framework.

The Cabinet Member (Environment, Housing & Planning) commented that the Local Development Framework (LDF) was entering a new phase.  He was keen to ensure that all information pertaining to the questionnaire, included in the agenda, was available to ensure that respondents had an opportunity to make an informed and reasoned response.  He appreciated the high level of Member involvement, quality of discussion and feedback.   To ensure its clarity the draft questionnaire would be submitted to the Plain English Campaign to achieve the Plain English Crystal Mark.  While the LDF timetable was tight, he offered the Committee the opportunity to receive a report on the response to the questionnaire and the executive’s response to any issues raised. The Committee noted that all information would be available via a dedicated Council website.

The Assistant Director Economic, Environment and Cultural Services reported that Council at its meeting in July 2013 was scheduled to consider the revised LDF for adoption and he outlined the process leading to the formal Inspectorate examination in spring 2014 and adoption by the end of 2014.

During the course of discussion the following principal points were noted:

·         A Member expressed concern regarding the soundness of the evidence base and whether alternatives had been adequately explored for example to test a ‘no relief road’ option.

·         In relation to river water quality issues the Committee noted that high phosphate levels needed to be addressed.  A Water Steering Group had been established at an operational level.  That Group advised the broader Strategic Water Steering Board which also undertook the Council’s liaison with neighbour authorities and major agencies.  The preparation of a Nutrient Management Plan had been committed to by Natural England and the Environment Agency.

·         Questions arose concerning the availability of agendas/minutes from the Water Steering Group.

·         Members were being updated through the regular publication of LDF newsletters.  A dedicated Council web site would host all the evidence being used in the LDF process.

·         A large amount of work had been undertaken since the November 2011 consultation.  Issues or options had been raised and where necessary the plan had been refined.  In the last 6-9 months’ work had been undertaken to clarify the detail. A significant proportion of that work had necessitated establishing a good relationship and negotiating with third party agencies. 

·         In relation to the consultation timetable it was considered that drop in sessions would attract greater parish council engagement than formal workshops. Attendees would also receive information about the Local Transport Plan and Neighbourhood Plans.

·         Analysis of the 2011 consultation responses were available on the web site.

·         Feedback on the 2011 consultation had led to a pause in the timetable to allow time for technical work to be undertaken.

·         It was important that every Councillor was up to date with the timetable and proposals so that they were able to confidently engage with their electorate.

·         Responding to questions on land availability identified in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, particularly the identification of small scale developments in rural areas, the Committee were informed that the Core Strategy set out the strategic number of houses for rural areas but did not identify specific sites.  These may be identified in Neighbourhood Plans, on which parishes were making good progress in developing.

·         The Cabinet Member (Environment, Housing & Planning) commented that a number of comments had come forward from rural Members and he anticipated that many of the rural issues’ would be addressed in the report to Cabinet.

·         A proposal was made that the Economic Viability Assessment should be subject to independent review to test the robustness of the evidence, however, on being put to the Committee the proposal was lost.

·         Questioning the financial implications (paragraph 13 of the report) the Committee noted that there were risks if the plan did not proceed as intended.  However, a budget was in place to get it through the plan period.

RESOLVED: That

1.    The Committee noted the Hereford Local Plan – Core Strategy (draft) Questionnaire as set out in the agenda;

2.    It be recommended to Cabinet that:

a.    To enable the public to make a considered response to the questionnaire all evidence be made available via the dedicated web site for the LDF/consultation; and

b.    The agenda and minutes of the Water Steering Group also be published to the dedicated web site for the LDF/consultation.