Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council welcomed everyone to the meeting.

He thanked those that had taken part in the events related to the 80^th anniversary of D-Day.

The Leader also thanked Inspire Plus for inviting him and the Chief Executive to the ‘Mini-Olympics’, a fantastic event where over 700 young children had taken part in a sports event at Grantham Meres Stadium.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Paul Stokes.

Councillor Virginia Moran was welcomed to her first Cabinet meeting.

To reconfirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2023, as resolution 6 had not been recorded for the Turnpike Lane depot item.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2023 were re-confirmed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2024 were also confirmed as a correct record.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The Contract Award for New Build Housing Scheme for 21 units at Larch Close, Grantham was DEFERRED until a future meeting of Cabinet in order that the value for money proposal could be revisited.

The Leader explained that it was vital to ensure a scheme of such scale and cost provided value for money to the Housing Revenue Account whilst also meeting the needs of those in housing need.

Purpose of report

To ask Cabinet to approve the revised Local Development Scheme (2024-2027) which included a change to the Local Plan timetable.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the revised Local Development Scheme 2024-2027 (attached as Appendix A to the report).

Alternative options considered and rejected

The alternative of not reviewing the Local Development Scheme was discounted. Failing to keep the Local Development Scheme up to date would have contravened the statutory requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Planning Act 2004 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011) and Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 12.

Reasons for decision

Following the adoption of the Local Plan in January 2020, the Council embarked on a Local Plan review to take it up to 2041. In line with the Local Development Scheme Regulation 18 the draft Local Plan was published for an 8-week consultation in February 2024. The consultation attracted c1500 responses from members of the public and relevant stakeholders. To ensure each comment was carefully considered the timetable had been revised to allow the Council to properly process these representations and incorporate any prudent changes into the Local Plan.

The Council had reviewed the scheme and ensured that the timetable was realistic and achievable.

The reason for the decision was to ensure the Council was providing an up-to date position and an accurate timeline for the production of development plan documents. This would ensure that the Council was acting in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). Maintaining an up-to-date Local Development Scheme would ensure a transparent process. This was important because the local community and others with an interest in the district could be kept aware of development plan production and stages of consultation.

Supporting the continuity of the planning function in South Kesteven would aid the recovery of the local economy and the economic resilience of the district by providing greater certainty and confidence for future investment and development.

The revised scheme indicated that the next regulatory consultation stage was scheduled for winter 2024/2025, with a submission to the Secretary of State by 30 June 2025, ensuring that the Local Plan was considered under the existing legal framework.

The revised scheme was to be published on the South Kesteven District Council website, and all town and parish councillors in the district would be notified.

Part of the process being undertaken now by Planning officers was the gathering of any petitions on sites in the Local Plan.

There was one error in the report – the Consultation on the Draft Local Plan was completed on 25 April 2024, not 2025.

This report highlights matters on the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The following updates were provided to members:

·       On 12 June the Council would release a video on Grantham being ‘open to business’.

·       A decision on Mallard Pass by Lincolnshire County Council had been deferred due to the General Election taking place. A decision would not be taken before 4 July 2024.

·       Summons for the next Cabinet meeting on 9 July would go out on 1 July, therefore all reports would be marked ‘to follow’ to ensure that no reports could significantly influence the election on 4 July.

The Forward Plan was noted.

There were none.

The meeting closed at 2:17pm.