Agenda and minutes

The committee must appoint a district councillor to chair the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Terry Mullard

Seconded by Councillor Frank Hobbs

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs Jenny Hollingsbee is appointed chairman for the meeting. 

Affirmation received from all members. 

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a) discloseable pecuniary interests (DPI)

b) other significant interests (OSI)

c) voluntary announcements of other interests

There were no declarations of interest. 

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 were submitted and approved.  The chairman, Councillors Mrs Hollingsbee, agreed that her electronic signature could be added to the minutes. 

A presentation will be provided to members. 

Mrs Jess Harman, Community Safety Specialist, along with Inspector Andrew Brittenden from Kent Police, showed a presentation on the work that the Community Safety Partnership and Unit carries out.  The presentation is attached to these minutes. 

Overall, members were extremely grateful and thanked the Partnership for the services they deliver within the district.

Members asked, at a parish level, what they could be involved with or promote.  It was suggested that since the roll out of the Covid-19 test and trace programme, all business are required to display QR codes, and it would be helpful if Parish councils could encourage this at a local level.  

Other points noted by members were: 

·         The CSP and CSU cover the whole district, however concentration of work is more likely to be in Folkestone

·         Engagement meetings are a good way of providing information and the CSU will look at any problem areas upon request.

·         Covid-19 Marshalls to help ensure social distancing rules.  Funding for these is not available at present and details are still awaited. 

·         Napier Barracks.  It was confirmed that there will be police involvement required.  Community engagement and residents’ safety is paramount.  Members were reminded of the virtual meeting to address questions on Friday 25 September at 3pm.   

Overview and impact on the changes to planning policy and regulations.   A presentation will be provided to members. 

Mr Adrian Tofts, Strategy, Policy and Performance Lead Specialist, gave a presentation on the MHCLG’s planning White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’. The presentation is attached to these minutes. 

He advised members that the consultation closes on 29 October 2020.  The district council is preparing a response for Cabinet’s consideration on 21 October. 

Mr Tofts showed in his presentation the three ‘pillars’ to reforms. 

Members noted the following: 

• Neighbourhood Plans.  Timescales for production of these is extremely tight as the district council have only 30 months to produce a Local Plan, although the Government sees a continued role for parishes within the new system.   Government would need to provide more advice on Neighbourhood Plans and how they are incorporated into the updated Local Plan. 
• AONB – planning applications would be decided by policies within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 
• Increase in housing targets.  This hasn’t been confirmed and there would be constraints to consider, ie green belt and AONBs.  A further consultation may come forward. 
• Design Codes, these would be used to decide detailed planning applications, however questions arise as to how this would work where they cover towns and villages with buildings from different eras.
• Proposed infrastructure levy would see payments being made at occupation and not when development starts. More details needed as it seems to be more of a shift to local authorities who may have to forward fund infrastructure against the levy.    
• Members were pleased to see enforcement strengthening.  The White Paper argues that  proposals to speed up the planning process could potentially release more officers to carry out enforcement duties and there are proposals to increase the level of fines that could be charged to people who develop without planning permission.

Members thanked Mr Tofts for a very informative presentation.