Agenda and minutes

There were none. 

The record of the meeting held on 28 September 2010 was agreed and signed by the Leader as correct.  

There were none. 

This report set out details of the first draft of a new Core Strategy and proposed that this pre-publication version be approved for public consultation, which would end in December 2010.

It was noted that the Council was required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to prepare and subsequently keep under review a Local Development Framework for Medway. This consisted of a portfolio of documents that included a Core Strategy, which set out an overall vision and strategy for the area up to 2028 and addressed the strategic issues facing it.

Members were advised as to the content of the Core Strategy, the consultation undertaken and the next steps leading up to the final adoption of the Core Strategy in 2012.

Copies of the draft Core Strategy had been circulated separately from the main agenda, together with two schedules of representations received on the Issues and Options report and a Sustainability Appraisal.

The role of the Local Development Framework Cabinet Advisory Group was noted and Members were advised that the Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered this report on 29 September 2010. Details of the comments and questions raised at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting, along with the officer responses, was set out in the report.

Reasons:

To comply with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and ensure that there is an up to date spatial planning framework for the area.

This report considered the cessation of funding by the Homes and Communities Agency from 31 March 2011 and sought authorisation to commence formal consultation with staff on the closure of the Medway Renaissance Unit as no future funding had been identified.

Members considered the various schemes that the Medway Renaissance Unit had helped deliver or significantly progress since its establishment. Whilst noting the contribution that the unit had made to regeneration in Medway without any guarantee of funding it was necessary to consult on closing the unit from 31 March 2011.

The proposed timetable for consultation with staff and trade unions was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and a diversity impact assessment screening form was attached at Appendix 2.

Reasons:

To respond to the cessation of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

This report set out the outcome of consultation on the proposals for the Amherst Hill Design Brief.

The Amherst Hill Design Brief had been produced by Medway Council to satisfy the Local Plan requirement that a detailed design brief must guide the development of the Amherst Hill site in a manner appropriate to its setting adjacent to Fort Amherst and its prominent location. 

Cabinet had approved a six-week programme of consultation on 29 June 2010 and details of the comments received along with the proposed Council response to them were set out in Appendix 1 to the report. It was proposed that the draft Design Brief be amended to reflect points that resulted from the consultation.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 29 September 2010 and its comments were set out in section 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to carry out a full impact assessment.

Reasons:

Adoption of the Design Brief as a Supplementary Planning Document will provide the council with a clear policy framework to guide the development of the site and to provide guidance to developers on the site capacity and development quality expected. It will provide landowners and developers with greater certainty as to what is expected by the Local Planning Authority.

This report set out the outcome of consultation on the proposals for the Supplementary Planning Document for the Interface Land, Chatham Maritime.

The Supplementary Planning Document would guide future development for the Interface Land, which forms the last mainly undeveloped site in the former Royal Navy Dockyard, providing a legal planning framework for the development of the area and bringing together the Council's aspiration for the Interface Land to both national and Council planning policy.

It was noted that a four-week programme of public consultation on the development framework for the Interface Lands area of Chatham Historic Dockyard had been completed and the results were set at Appendix 1 to the report.

It was noted that the Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered this report on 29 September 2010 and the comments and recommendation was set out in section 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to carry out a full impact assessment.

Reasons:

To ensure there is an up-to-date planning framework for this important part of Chatham Historic Dockyard that will guide investment and planning decisions.

This report set out details of the proposed Medway Housing Design Standards Supplementary Planning Document and Building for Life assessment tool.

It was reported that the proposed Medway Housing Design Standards Supplementary Planning Document would provide developers, landowners and their advisors with clear advice on minimum layout and space standards that would be expected in the design of new housing and the conversion of existing properties. Compliance will be a consideration in the consideration of planning applications.

Members were advised that Building for Life has been developed by CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), and the Home Builders Federation. The score derived from the Building for Life assessment tool would be used as a basis for judging the quality of submissions for residential planning permission in Medway.

Cabinet approval was sought to consult with developers, designers and planning agents on both the draft Medway Housing Design Standards and the adoption of the Building for Life document in Medway.

It was noted that the Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered and recommended the Building for Life assessment tool on 29 September 2010.

Reasons:

To allow progress towards adoption of the draft Medway Housing Design Standards as an Supplementary Planning Document and to support implementation of the Building for Life assessment tool.

This report reviewed and assessed progress with the delivery of the Housing Strategy, which had been originally agreed by Cabinet on 5 August 2008.

The report detailed the five strategic aims contained with the Housing Strategy and performance against the priority actions:

·                          Maximising the supply of suitable and affordable housing and meeting

·                          housing need

·                          enabling vulnerable people to live independent lives

·                          improving the quality and energy efficiency of homes

·                          developing sustainable communities and promoting neighbourhood renewal

·                          promoting better and fair access to housing services.

It was noted that there had been significant progress across the strategic aims, with a total of 30 actions having been completed and 37 being on target to be delivered by August 2011.

Reasons:

The Housing Strategy and its Action Plan sets the strategic direction for Housing Services in Medway, contributing to the Council’s core values and strategic priorities and giving context for the attraction and investment of resources.

This report presented information on vacancies that officers had requested approval to commence recruitment for, following the process agreed by Cabinet on 7 January 2003 (decision number 9/2003).

Appendix 1 to the report provided details of the posts and included supporting Portfolio Holder comments.

Reasons:

The posts presented to Cabinet support the efficient running of the Council.

This report set out the options appraisal for the establishment of a preferred supplier list for temporary staff to ensure effective use of council resources and to put in place a monitoring regime for use of temporary staff.

The report had been considered by the Procurement Board on 29 September 2010 and its views were set out in paragraph 10 of the report.

Reasons:

This arrangement will enable the Council to better manage the spend on external agencies, ensure the quality of temporary staff and better safeguard the authority on employment issues.