Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from William Upton QC.

There were no declarations.

To receive the resolution of the Planning & Transportation Committee on 26 April 2022, appointing the Sub Committee and approving its terms of reference.

RESOLVED – That the Sub Committee receive its terms of reference, as agreed by the Planning & Transportation Committee at its meeting on 26 April 2022.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

At this point, the Sub Committee queried whether those Members of the Sub Committee designated as ex-officio Members were eligible to vote in the elections of a Chairman and Deputy Chairman. After considering advice from the Town Clerk and discussion, the Sub Committee agreed that in the absence of any clear agreement to the contrary, the ex-officio Members of the Sub Committee should not be permitted to vote in the election of the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, in accordance with Standing Orders 29(7) and 30(9), also noting that the designation of Members appointed by other Committees to the Sub Committees of the Planning & Transportation Committee as ex-officio may not be appropriate.

Members expressed their clear dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity on this point, and asked that both the matter of eligibility to vote, and the ex-officio designation on the Sub Committees of the Planning & Transportation Committee, be clarified following the meeting, and reviewed if deemed necessary by the Grand Committee.

The Sub Committee then proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29. Expressions of interest were sought from Members and Martha Grekos and Deputy Shravan Joshi both expressed a willingness to serve.

A ballot was therefore necessary.

A ballot having been taken, votes were cast as follows:-

Martha Grekos                                                -            2 votes

Deputy Shravan Joshi                                    -            9 votes

RESOLVED – That Deputy Shravan Joshi be elected Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29 for the year ensuing.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Sub Committee then proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30. Expressions of interest were sought from Members and Natasha Lloyd-Owen and Deputy Alastair Moss both expressed a willingness to serve.

A ballot was therefore necessary.

A ballot having been taken, votes were cast as follows:-

Natasha Lloyd-Owen                                      -            5 votes

Deputy Alastair Moss                                     -            6 votes

RESOLVED – That Deputy Alastair Moss be elected Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30 for the year ensuing.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director providing an update on the City Plan and proposing broad policy directions for a revised version, considering consultation responses and other issues, also including an updated timetable for progressing the Plan to a further public consultation and onward to public examination and adoption.The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to the key points, principally the overall strategy, and the key policy shifts set out within the report. The Chair then suggested that the Sub Committee first frame the parameters for policy direction before going into detailed discussion on each distinct policy area.

In response to an initial question from a Member, the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director confirmed that there had been four responses to the public consultation on a Housing Call for Sites proposing sites, adding that this could be brought as a topic to the next meeting to discuss taking this matter forward.

The Chair then invited Members to suggest areas for focus not covered across the list of key policy shifts. Members suggested that housing, retail provision, the reuse or conversion of Grade B & C office space, a river strategy, increasing accessibility, protection of heritage assets were areas for focus during the process. A Member added that meaningful engagement with residents was a key part of the process and should be given appropriate weight. Several more specific comments were made in respect of housing, which the Sub Committee agreed would need to be a key area for review, both in itself and on its impact on other areas such as retail and the local economy.

The Sub Committee noted that the City Plan had to work within the framework set by the wider City

There were no questions.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2022.

A Member advised that they had several minor amendments to the minutes which they would provide for the Town Clerk following the meeting. The Sub Committee resolved to agree the minutes, pending the Chairman’s approval of these amendments.

RESOLVED – That, subject to agreement of these amendments, the public minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2022 be agreed as a correct record.