Up to 15 minutes are allowed for public participation.  Participants are restricted to 3 minutes each.

There was no public participation.

(a)          Meeting of the Prosperous Communities Committee – 14 July 2020.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Prosperous Communities Committee held on 14 July 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

(b)          Concurrent Meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources and Prosperous Communities Committees – 16 July 2020.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Concurrent Meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources and Prosperous Communities Committees held on 16 July 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 12 October 2020.

Members gave consideration to the Matters Arising Schedule which set out the current position of all previously agreed actions as at 12 October 2020. 

With Members indicating their contentment at the position, the Matters Arising were duly NOTED.

Members may make any declarations at this point but may also make them at any time during the course of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made at this point in the meeting.

The ‘Planning for the future’ White Paper was published in early August and included significant changes at both Policy and Development Management stages.

A workshop had been offered to all Members to attend to discuss the implications of the White Paper for West Lindsey, its communities and residents.  This had been held on 7 October and all discussion points and comments had been collated and added to the West Lindsey response.  Members were provided with a final opportunity to add further comment to the response as drafted and highlight to Officers where they considered the response could be more emphasised or strengthened.

Debate ensued with the following areas being identified: -

Affordable Housing – the need for affordable products that meet local needs, not a nationally prescribed product that doesn’t assist locals, particularly our young people to access.

Climate Change - the White Paper  wasn’t considered radical enough, Members were of the view that consideration should be being given to all aspects of sustainability, not just carbon neutrality.

Regeneration and renewal – Members considered there was too much emphasis within the White Paper about the new; new development, new design and not enough focus on the benefits of re-use, regeneration and renewal.

Lack of public / Member engagement afforded within the proposals – This was something of real concern to Members.  Some were of the view that the system was already heavily weighted in favour of developers. The democratic engagement of communities and a system where Members were at the heart of the decision making process was key.   The proposals appeared to be the direct opposite of what the public would expect, already often requesting that they be more involved and receive more notification of proposals.  Digital consultation in rural communities was also a matter of concern, given connectivity issues.  Inclusivity seemed to be lacking.

Officers undertook to make necessary adjustments in line with Members’ comments, with the final consultation response being signed off under delegated powers in consultation with the Chairman.

The Chairman thanked Members for their participation and encouraged Members to make individual responses to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Members gave consideration to the Committee Workplan.  A Committee Member enquired whether the Strategic Visitor Economy Strategy could be brought forward, currently planned for March 2021.  The Assistant Director for Planning and Regeneration indicated the Council’s work programme was aligned to the work of the Tourism Action Zone and as such bringing the Strategy forward earlier may not be feasible.  Officers undertook to bring forward a position update in the absence of the full Strategy.

RESOLVED that the workplan as set out in the report be received and noted.