Agenda item

Report of the Director of Planning and Regeneration

1.      The broad thrust and direction (more particularly as set out in Recommendation 2.2 below) of the Recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 are supported and accepted and thanks are given to the Committee for their report on this important matter.

2.      Cabinet is going to respond to Overview & Scrutiny Committee 1 as follows:  (numbers relate to groupings i. to vi. as set out in para. 3.1.1.)

1. That recommendation 1 (Appendix 1) is accepted and that Cabinet  instructs officers to prepare a comprehensive and constructive response to the Secretary of State on the review of WNDC to take place during 2009, in accordance with the terms of reference of that review; the objectives set down by Overview and Scrutiny Committee and having regard to Paras 3.2.5 to 3.2.8. of this report.

2. That Cabinet recognises that there has been an improvement in the working relationship and partnership arrangements between NBC and WNDC.  However, that this improved relationship is still maturing and should not be taken for granted and that officers be instructed to prepare an annual review and report on the achievements of the two organisations working in partnership.

3. That the improvement in communications between the two organisations be noted and that this should be covered in the annual review and report to Cabinet.

4. Cabinet are asked to note that:-

a)     Officers are already working with our partners in West Northamptonshire to produce a Joint Core Strategy and a report outlining the emergent strategy will be presented to the West Northamptonshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee on the 6th July for the purpose of public consultation.  Overview and Scrutiny Committee One’s concerns in this respect are already being met.

(b)  Cabinet instruct Officers to write to WNDC to record our appreciation for their involvement in the plan making process to date and request that they continue to ensure senior representation at strategic plan making meetings.

5. That Cabinet and Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committee One will receive a further briefing on the Environmental Health Consultancy service to WNDC in due course.

6. That Cabinet notes the improvements that have taken place to date in the consideration of WNDC planning applications and the way in which WNDC considers the corporate response to these applications by the Planning Committee.  This will, however, also be kept under review and will be included in the annual review and report.

At this point, Councillors Woods and Church left the meeting and Councillor B Hoare assumed the Chair for the duration of the item.

Councillor B Hoare then presented the report and explained that officers had worked through and responded to the 23 recommendations set out in the original report, presented on 25 February 2009. He then read through the recommendations commenting that the 5-year review of WNDC had commenced.  Cabinet was to receive a further report, written in conjunction with Overview and Scrutiny, at a special meeting early in September prior to the response deadline to CLG.

Councillor B Hoare then highlighted the concern in paragraph 3.2.5 of the report about the suitability of WNDC, with its limited lifespan, to deliver investment and growth in Northampton over the next 20 years.  He also drew attention to the points in 3.2.8 of the report that outlined proposals for the change in role of WNDC.

Referring to recommendation 2.2 in the report, Councillor B Hoare suggested that Cabinet endorse Overview and Scrutiny’s proposals.

RESOLVED

1.      That the broad thrust and direction (more particularly as set out in paragraph 2 below) of the Recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 be supported and accepted and that thanks be given to the Committee for their report on this important matter.

2.      That Cabinet respond to Overview & Scrutiny Committee 1 as follows:  (numbers relate to groupings i. to vi. as set out in para. 3.1.1. of the report)

1. That recommendation 1 (Appendix 1) is accepted and that Cabinet  instructs officers to prepare a comprehensive and constructive response to the Secretary of State on the review of WNDC to take place during 2009, in accordance with the terms of reference of that review; the objectives set down by Overview and Scrutiny Committee and having regard to Paras 3.2.5 to 3.2.8. of this report.

2. That Cabinet recognises that there has been an improvement in the working relationship and partnership arrangements between NBC and WNDC.  However, that this improved relationship is still maturing and should not be taken for granted and that officers be instructed to prepare an annual review and report on the achievements of the two organisations working in partnership.

3. That the improvement in communications between the two organisations be noted and that this should be covered in the annual review and report to Cabinet.

4. Cabinet are asked to note that:-

a)     Officers are already working with our partners in West Northamptonshire to produce a Joint Core Strategy and a report outlining the emergent strategy will be presented to the West Northamptonshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee on the 6th July for the purpose of public consultation.  Overview and Scrutiny Committee One’s concerns in this respect are already being met.

(b)  Cabinet instruct Officers to write to WNDC to record our appreciation for their involvement in the plan making process to date and request that they continue to ensure senior representation at strategic plan making meetings.

5. That Cabinet and Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committee One will receive a further briefing on the Environmental Health Consultancy service to WNDC in due course.

6. That Cabinet notes the improvements that have taken place to date in the consideration of WNDC planning applications and the way in which WNDC considers the corporate response to these applications by the Planning Committee.  This will, however, also be kept under review and will be included in the annual review and report.