To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 21 August 2012.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 August 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Chairman advised Members that Agenda item 14 ‘Adoption of Neighbourhood Plans’ would be taken after Agenda item 11 ‘Statement of Community Involvement’.

The Chairman acknowledged the recent success of Central Bedfordshire pupils in Key Stage 1 and 2, which meant that the area’s lower and primary schools were among the best performing in the country.   The Key Stage 2 results indicated that 94% of schools in Central Bedfordshire had improved.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that Flitton Moor had won the overall trophy at the Biffa Awards 2012 for their action on biodiversity, reflecting the involvement of the local community as well as their environmental efforts.

The Children in Care Awards took place on Friday 28 September 2012 where 90 awards were presented to the children who were in the care of the Council.  The evening had been a great success and the Chairman thanked the children, foster carers and social workers.

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions were received.

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013 be noted.

To adopt the Framework Plan as technical guidance for Development Management purposes.

That the Houghton Regis North Framework Plan be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that set out the framework plan which would be used to guide development in the north of Houghton Regis.  The Plan set out the vision and the aims which the urban extension was intended to deliver.  The recommendation from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 September 2012 that was tabled; the Committee had endorsed the framework plan unanimously. 

The Executive Member highlighted the economic benefits that the development in Houghton Regis, the Woodside Link and the A5-M1 Link road would provide to residents in the south of Central Bedfordshire. 

In response to queries about the density of development it was explained that this would be addressed within the individual planning applications and would take account of the Local Development Framework (LDF).  Also new developments would have to comply with the Council’s Design Guide. 

Reason for decision:  To provide planning guidance to the development of the Houghton Regis Strategic Allocation, proposed to be allocated in the Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire.

RESOLVED

that the Houghton Regis North Framework Plan be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes.

The report sets out progress in delivering a new road from Houghton Regis to the proposed new Junction 11a of the M1. It examines the costs and benefits of delivering such a scheme and seeks Executive’s approval to progress it.

1.         That the submission of a planning application for the construction of the Woodside Link road be agreed and consultation on the proposed scheme commence in November 2012.

2.         That officers continue preparatory work on the acquisition of the land required for the scheme, including compulsory purchase if that proves necessary.

3.         That the addition of £450,000 to the 2012/13 capital programme be agreed to cover the costs of design and planning application development for the scheme.

4.         That the scheme be included in the review of the capital programme which is currently taking place and which will be recommended to Council.

5.         To instruct officers to do all they can to secure funding for the scheme.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Sustainable Planning and Economic Development that set out progress in delivering a new road from Houghton Regis to the proposed new Junction 11a of the M1.  The report examined the costs and benefits of delivering such a scheme and sought the Executive’s approval to progress it.

The Executive Member advised that dialogue was taking place with the Planning Inspectorate to establish whether the scheme would qualify as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. 

Reason for decision:  The detailed design for the Woodside Link road and consultation on the proposals was required to meet with the timescales of the Highways Agency and developers of the land to the north of Houghton Regis.

RESOLVED

1.      that the submission of an application for the construction of the Woodside Link road be agreed and consultation on the proposed scheme commence in November 2012;

2.      that officers continue preparatory work on the acquisition of the land required for the scheme, including compulsory purchase if that proved necessary;

3.      that the addition of £450,000 to the 2012/13 capital programme be agreed, to cover the costs of design and planning application development for the scheme;

4.      that the scheme be included in the review of the capital programme which is currently taking place and which will be recommended to Council; and

5.      to instruct officers to do all they can to secure funding for the scheme.

The report recommends that the Executive adopt the development brief as technical guidance for development management purposes.

That the development brief for land at Biggleswade Road, Potton be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that set out the development brief for land at Biggleswade Road, Potton.  The development brief provided the background and policy context for the site and its allocation for residential development.  The brief also set out the aims for the development identifying the particular constraints and opportunities of the site and confirmed the range of technical work which any planning application would need to address, including a Section 106 Agreement covering community facilities. 

The recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 September 2012 that were tabled at the meeting. 

The Executive Member responded to questions regarding traffic congestion, parking issues, a new community hall and the percentage of properties being allocated as affordable dwellings.  It was noted that the brief would be updated to include reference to adequate parking space in accordance with Policy CS4, the Central Bedfordshire Parking Strategy and the Design Guide. 

Reason for decision:  To meet the housing requirements for Central Bedfordshire (North) for the period up to 2026 as set out in the Core Strategy and Development Management Development Plan Document (adopted November 2009).

RESOLVED

that the development brief for land at Biggleswade Road, Potton be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes.

To adopt the Statement of Community Involvement.

That the Statement of Community Involvement be adopted, subject to minor amendments being approved prior to publication by the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that set out the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). 

The recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 September 2012 that were tabled at the meeting.  The Executive Member confirmed that he would remove the reference to asylum seekers in the Statement and insert a table displaying the stages in determining applications.

The Executive Members for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development moved an amended recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

“the Executive is asked to adopt the Statement of Community Involvement, subject to minor amendments being approved prior to publication by the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development.”

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the community were involved in planning matters as set out in the document produced in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

RESOLVED

that the Statement of Community Involvement be adopted, subject to minor amendments being approved prior to publication by the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development.

The report sets out the process how the Council adopts Neighbourhood Plans to be part of the Development Plan for Central Bedfordshire.

1.         That the process for adopting Neighbourhood Plans as part of the Development Plan be endorsed.

2.         To delegate the designation of a Neighbourhood Area to the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that set out the process by which Central Bedfordshire Council would adopt Neighbourhood Plans to be part of the Development Plan for Central Bedfordshire.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that Neighbourhood Plans would be adopted as part of the Development Plan in accordance with the Localism Act 2012.

RESOLVED

1.      that the process for adopting Neighbourhood Plans as part of the Development Plan be endorsed; and

2.      to delegate the designation of a Neighbourhood Area to the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development.

To approve expenditure of capital programme funds to commence implementation of improvements at Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre and Tiddenfoot Leisure centre in 2012/13.

1.         That the expenditure in the approved capital programme to the new profile set out in the exempt Appendix 1 to the report – Tables 2 and 3 be approved and be reflected in the next version of the capital programme.

2.         To delegate to the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources, the award of the building contract for Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre in 2012/13.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services that sought the Executive’s approval of expenditure of capital programme funds to commence implementation of improvements at Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre and Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre in 2012/13.

In a response to a question about the funding for the planned works at Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre, the Executive Member explained that the original figure £650,000 had been an estimate, but he would provide a fuller written response to the relevant Member. 

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development acknowledged the request to open up the access road to Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre to enable a direct route to the Leisure Centre from the bypass.  The suggestion would be considered as part of the Local Area Transport Plan.

Reason for decision:  To enable priorities for investment to commence from 2012/13

RESOLVED

1.      that the expenditure in the approved capital programme to the new profile, set out in the exempt Appendix 1 to the report – Tables 2 and 3, be approved and be reflected in the next version of the capital programme; and

2.      to delegate to the Director of Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources, the award of the building contract for Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre in 2012/13.

To consider how Central Bedfordshire Council managed parking across the district, recognising the needs of shoppers businesses, residents and new developments.

1.      That the Parking Strategy be endorsed, as amended to include the recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with the exception of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation 2 that parking on grass verges not be permitted, as the published approach to parking in Central Bedfordshire.

2.      That the parking standards set out in the Parking Strategy be endorsed as interim technical guidance for development management purposes.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services that sought the approval for the Council’s Parking Strategy. 

The Executive Members for Sustainable Communities – Services moved an additional recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

“that the Executive endorse the parking standards set out in the Parking Strategy as interim technical guidance for Development Management purposes.”

The Executive Member responded to questions relating to parking on pavements, the dimensions of new garages, enforcing penalty notices and the number of parking spaces in Biggleswade.  The Executive congratulated the Members and Officers involved in compiling the Strategy.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the adopted Parking Strategy would be considered in decisions on planning applications while work is undertaken to formally incorporate it into the planning system as a Supplementary Planning Document.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Parking Strategy be endorsed, as amended to include the recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with the exception of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation 2 that parking on grass verges not be permitted, as the published approach to parking in Central Bedfordshire; and

2.      that the parking standards set out in the Parking Strategy be endorsed as interim technical guidance for development management purposes.

To receive the annual report of the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Adult Safeguarding Board.

That the Annual Report of Bedford and Central Bedfordshire Adult Safeguarding Board as attached in Appendix A to the report be noted.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that set out the annual report of the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Adult Safeguarding Board. 

Reason for decision:  To note the contribution of the Safeguarding Board towards the Council’s priority of promoting health and wellbeing and protecting the vulnerable.

RESOLVED

that the Annual Report of Bedford and Central Bedfordshire Adult Safeguarding Board as attached in Appendix A be noted.

The appendix sets out a summary of anticipated costs and budget requirements for the proposed schemes and the estimated return on investment.

See minute E/12/57 for details.