5 November 2009 - Agenda

                                                                 Members

Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton
Ms J A Jenkins

Mr R E Kemp
Dr M R Miller
Mr N A Ridley
Mr C M Spence
Mrs S M Wigglesworth

ITEM

BUSINESS

1

SUBSTITUTES AND APOLOGIES

Any Member attending as an approved substitute to report giving his/her name and the name of the Member being substituted.

To receive apologies for absence.

2

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

3

MINUTES

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2009 as a correct record.

4

PETITIONS

The Director of Corporate Services to report, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.13, the receipt of any petitions submitted to the Chief Executive.

5

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

The Chairman to answer any questions on any matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District and which fall within the terms of reference of the Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.15.4 (a) and (b).

6

ISSUES ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES

None received.

Paper
J123

7

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

(a)    Consultation on Response to the new Planning Policy Statement for the Historic Environment (PPS15) – Planning for the Historic Environment (Development Committee Minute No. 57 )

The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper J123) providing Members with an opportunity to agree a response to the Governments invitation to comment on a new integrated national planning policy document on the Historic Environment.

The Development Committee was being asked to make a recommendation to Strategy Committee on this matter.

Recommended to Strategy Committee

That the proposed response to the Department of Communities and Local Government as set out in Appendix A to Paper J123 be approved as the District Councils formal response to the consultation on the new planning policy statement for the Historic Environment (PPS15 – Planning for the Historic Environment).

Paper
J124

(b)    Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report 2008/09 (Development Committee Minute No. 58)

The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper J124) outlining the purpose and key findings of the Annual Monitoring Report for the year 2008/09.  A full copy of the Annual Monitoring Report 2008/09 had been made available in the Members room and via the website.

It was noted that a review of the Local Development Framework Programme will also be carried out.

The Development Committee was being asked to make a recommendation to Strategy Committee on this matter.

Recommended to Strategy Committee

That subject to the Head of Natural and Built Environment being authorised to make minor revisions resulting from current work, the Annual Monitoring Report attached as an Appendix to Paper J124 be approved for submission to Go East.

Paper
J125

8

WORK PLAN

Report by the Director of Corporate Services attached.

Paper J126

9

CURRENT CONSULTATION ON REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY REVIEW 2011 – 2031

Report by the Head of Natural and Built Environment attached.

Paper
J127

10

CAPITAL PROGRAMME – NON-COMMITTED SCHEMES

Report by the Head of Contract and Asset Management attached.

Paper
J128

11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RATING ACT 1997 – RATE RELIEF RURAL SETTLEMENT LIST

The Head of Customer Services to report that the Council is required to conduct an annual review of the rural settlement list it uses for the purposes of awarding mandatory and discretionary rate relief, under sections 42A(1), 43 and 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, to confirm that the list remains appropriate for the coming financial year.
 

The criteria for inclusion on the list is effectively self regulating, as it requires a population of less than 3,000* and specific designation as a “rural area” (Housing – Right to Acquire etc. Order 1997) to potentially qualify as a “rural settlement”.  The Council can, however, sub-divide and amalgamate rural areas, when determining “rural settlements”.  [*Estimates of population provided by Environment and Transport Directorate - Suffolk County Council]

Sudbury and Pinewood are not designated as rural areas and cannot be included in our rural settlement list.

Glemsford, Great Cornard, Hadleigh and Long Melford are rural areas but have populations over 3,000. There is no obvious logic for breaking these areas down into smaller units, so these parishes also cannot be included. The existing rural settlement list is therefore derived from the remaining 70 parishes in the District.

The rural settlements defined in that list are estimated to have populations of less than 3,000. There is no prospect of this situation changing prior to 31 March 2010.

It is therefore recommended that the existing rural settlement list as shown in Paper J128 attached remain in force for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.