Agenda and minutes

No disclosures were made.

The Leader made the following announcement:

Virtual Meetings/Livestreaming

“We have spent the last 12 months using virtual meetings/livestreaming.  There remain a few council meetings still to be held before the deadline of 6th May 2021 when the official permission to do so expires.  Most committees and full Council have found virtual meetings to be a positive experience and there have probably been more people able to access and watch the meetings than previously. It would be a great shame to no longer have the option of virtual meetings moving forward.  The outcome of the current court case, understood to be supported by the Secretary of State, may provide more freedom in the future.  Otherwise, this may be the last Cabinet meeting held in the current format.  The more known on the matter over the next few weeks the better”.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

The deadline for questions is noon on Monday, 29th March 2021.

No questions had been submitted.

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking approval of the revised Local Development Scheme so that the programme for the preparation of planning documents for Charnwood was agreed (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Seaton, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, presented a report setting out the Commission’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).  The Scrutiny Commission was thanked for its pre-decision scrutiny of the matter.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration assisted with consideration of the report.

RESOLVED

1.         that the revised programme for the preparation of local development documents, as set out in the Local Development Scheme attached to the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, be approved;

2.         that the Local Development Scheme comes into effect and is published on 16th April 2021;

3.         that authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Planning to make any minor typographical/graphical amendments to the Local Development Scheme prior to its publication;

4.         that the report of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

Reasons

1.         To ensure that the Local Development Scheme provides a realistic programme for the preparation of development plan documents.

2.         To meet the requirements of Section 15 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004), as amended by the Localism Act 2011 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 (as amended by the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (amendment) Regulations 2008, 2009 and 2012.

3.         To enable the timely publication of the revised Local Development Scheme.

4.         To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Scrutiny Commission.

A report of the Monitoring Officer, for recommendation to Council.

Considered, a report of the Monitoring Officer setting out proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution following the annual review, for recommendation to Council (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Democratic Services Manager assisted with consideration of the report.  In response to questions, she confirmed that:

(i)        terms or wording taken from the national model constitution written in 2000 upon which the Council’s Constitution was based but which were not suited/appropriate to Charnwood would be looked at as part of next year’s review;

(ii)       reference agenda page 44, paragraph 33, delegation to Head of Service in respect of complaints regarding high hedges.  Exceptions there listed would instead be determined by Plans Committee.  A note would be included to make that clear as part of next year’s review.    

RESOLVED that it be recommended to Council that the changes to the Constitution set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Monitoring Officer be made, to be effective from 1st May 2021.

Reason

To ensure the Constitution is kept up to date and fulfils its intended purposes.