Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Paul Carpenter.

(Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 20th August were approved as a correct record of the decisions taken. 

No interests were disclosed.

Report number PLA945 by the Portfolio Holder for Grow the Economy and Economic Development.

(Enclosure)

Decision:

Cabinet approves the draft Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document (appended to report PLA 945) for the purpose of public consultation.

Considerations/Reasons for decision:

(1)            Report PLA945 by the Portfolio Holder for Grow the Economy and Economic Development.

(2)            The National Policy on renewable energy was set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. It indicated that local planning authorities should take a positive approach to renewable energy projects and that there was a responsibility on all communities to contribute to energy generation from renewable or low carbon sources.

(3)            The local policy framework against which proposals in the District for wind energy developments would be assessed were set out in policies EN1 (Protection and Enhancement of the Character of the District) and EN3 (Renewable Energy Generation).

(4)            The purpose of the Wind Energy SDP was to support the implementation of the above policies and provide guidance to planning officers, elected Members, developers, local communities and the public. 

(5)            The drafting of the SPD had been supported by Land Use Consultants (LUC) who had been appointed following a procurement process and had particular experience in renewable energy issues. 

(6)            Informal consultation had been carried out with Parish Councils, Statutory Consultees (English Heritage, Natural England etc) and local interest groups by LUC from 21st May to 15th June 2012 on key issues/topics to be included in the SPD together with Members and Planning Policy Officers including the Communities PDG.

(7)            The preparation of the SPD would help to provide greater certainty and consistency when considering proposals for wind energy development regardless of the scale and this would help local communities, their representatives and developers to better understand the key issues in the determination of these applications.

(8)            Comments made by Members with reference to the political statement made by the County Council on the subject of wind turbines which was not a policy document.

(9)            Thanks were expressed to all the Officers and Members who had had an input in to putting the document together.

Other Options considered and assessed:

Not to proceed with the preparations of a SPD – the alternative would be to rely on prospective developers to submit a planning application and hopefully engage in pre application and post application negotiations. The preparation of a SPD was more positive in that it would provide guidance to developers, SKDC officers and the general public on the key issues and impacts to consider in assessing or submitting a planning application for wind energy.

Report Number HOF206 by the Head of Finance.

(Enclosure)

Decision:

Cabinet approves the draft fees and charges strategy. The use of the strategy is to be incorporated into the medium term financial planning of the Council.

Considerations/Reasons for decision:

(1)            Report HOF206 by the Head of Finance.

(2)            Work undertaken by the Resources Policy Development Group (PDG).

(3)            Work commissioned by the Resources PDG for Deloittes to look at income review benchmarking which compared fees and charges across a number of East Midlands Councils. As well as other local authorities charging regimes outside of the geographical boundaries of the East Midlands.

(4)            The strategy established a number of key principles to be considered in charging for services in a transparent and consistent manner.

(5)            The introduction and implementation of fees and charges was an integral element of the medium term financial planning of the Authority and should be used as a key driver for the delivery of the Council priorities.

(6)            Comments made by Members at the meeting with regard to individual Equality Impact Assessments and the charging regime for the District, specifically car parks.

(7)            Thanks made by the Portfolio Holder Strategic Resources to the Resources PDG and the Officers who had worked together to prepare the strategy.

Other Options considered and assessed:

It is appropriate to introduce a fees and charges strategy in order to maximise the opportunities for the Authority to deliver its priorities.

Decisions CO20  and CO21 as made on Monday 1st October 2012 can be implemented by Wednesday 10th October 2012 unless subject to call-in by the Scrutiny Committee Chairman of any five members of the Council from any political groups.