To elect a Chairman for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

The Sub-committee were invited to make nominations for Chair of the Luton & South Beds Joint Sub Committee for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

Cllr R Davis was the only candidate nominated and seconded.  He was therefore appointed Chair for 2011/12.

RESOLVED

that Cllr R Davis be elected as Chair of the Luton & South Beds Joint Sub-committee for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

The Chair of the Luton & South Beds Joint Sub-committee invited nominations for the Vice-Chair of the Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

Cllr N Young was the only candidate nominated and seconded.  He was therefore appointed Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

RESOLVED

that Cllr N Young be elected Vice-Chair of the Luton & South Beds Joint Sub-committee for he Municipal Year 2011/12.

To receive from Members any declarations and the nature in relation to:-

(a)    personal interests in any agenda item

(b)    personal and prejudicial interests in any agenda item

To seek amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee received and considered a report which sought amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Sub-committee.

It was noted that at the meeting of the Luton & South Beds Joint Committee held on 24 June 2011, the creation of the Sub-committee was agreed along with Terms of reference. 

Minor changes were proposed to the Terms of reference to ensure continuity and support for the Sub-committee.  The following changes were agreed:-

Paragraph H – the removal of the wording ‘on an alternating basis’.

Paragraph I - the second sub paragraph 3 to be renumbered 4.

                        The last sentence in the renumbered sub paragraph 4 to replace

‘invited to’ with ‘notified and may’.

RESOLVED

that the amendments, to the Terms of Reference of the Sub-committee as set out in Appendix A to the report, as identified in the preamble above be approved.

To provide an initial background report on future liaison on plan-making to prompt discussion by the sub-committee.

The Sub-committee received and considered a report which provided information on future liaison for plan-making.  It was noted that the Core Strategy had been withdrawn by the Secretary of State on 9 September 2011.

It was noted that the Localism Bill was continuing through Parliament and would be subject to further change prior to receiving Royal Assent.  The Localism Bill contained a duty to co-operate within clause 98 which stated the following:-

·        that Councils will be expected to demonstrate that they have co-operated on cross-boundary issues where relevant to their respective Plans.  This currently has been expressed as a duty; “to engage constructively, actively and on an on-going basis…”

·        that Councils; “must have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State about how the duty is to be complied with.”

Officers had provided Members with three possible scenarios for joint working.  The Sub-committee were in agreement that joint working should continue where timescales allow.  It was felt that it was premature to agree to a level of commitment until the final guidance from Central Government had been received through the Localism Bill.  The current mechanism would continue for the interim.

The Sub-committee also asked Officers to ensure that due to budgetary constraints at Local Authorities, joint working for technical evidence gathering be encouraged.

To present to the Sub-Committee the proposed planning policy documents outlined for Central Bedfordshire.

The Sub-committee received and considered a report which provided a copy of the Central Bedfordshire Council Executive report on the new Plan-making Programme for Central Bedfordshire.  The report set out the scope and timetable for the production of future development plans for the Central Bedfordshire area, including specific reference to a new “Development Strategy” document and a Gypsy and Traveller Plan.

Formal responsibility for plan-making across Luton and southern Central Bedfordshire would revert to Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council for the respective areas with effect from 1 April 2012.  Until 1 April 2012 the Joint  Committee remains the plan-making authority for the southern part of Central Bedfordshire and were asked to formally consider and agree the Plan-making Programme for the area.

The Programme of Plan-making would be submitted to the DCLG and come into effect four weeks after submission provided the Secretary of State does not request additional time or intervene.  Officers have requested that delegated authority be given to the Authorised Person in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair to agree any minor changes requested by the Secretary of State.

The Chair confirmed that Luton Borough Council Officers would bring a similar document to a future meeting of the Sub-committee for consideration.

RESOLVED

1.            that the proposed Plan-making Programme insofar as it relates to southern Central Bedfordshire be agreed.

2.            that delegated authority be given to the Authorised Person, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Joint Sub-committee, to make any minor changes necessary to the Programme, both prior to and following submission.

The Chair asked the Sub-committee to consider the future dates of meetings.  The following was agreed:-

·        no immediate work for the main Joint Committee to consider. 

·        the 4 November 2011 Joint Committee meeting would be cancelled

·        the Joint Committee meeting on the 2 December 2011 would be used for a meeting of the Sub-committee to be held in Dunstable at 2.30pm.

·        It was agreed that a calendar of inclusion with surrounding Local Authorities to be confirmed.  The Assistant Director Planning confirmed he had begun to meet with neighbouring Local Authority Planning Officers.

·        Progress reports on cross border working be brought to future meetings of the Sub-committee.