Attached.

Interim Corporate Plan

RESOLVED:

That the current draft interim Corporate Plan 2010-2011 be endorsed.

Local Development Framework;

Development Management DPD – For publication

(a) In accordance with notice given, Councillor Elengorn asked the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning:

“How many properties in the borough which were originally single family dwelling houses but have since been converted into flats are potentially affected by the changes to policy DM HO 1 facilitating reversion to single family use and how many smaller units could therefore be lost?”

Councillor Morris replied in the following terms:

“The LDF recognises the contribution conversions can make to meeting housing needs however precise data on the number of units provided through conversions from single family dwellings is not available. 

Most importantly DMHO1 continues to include a presumption against the loss of these units.  The amendment to the policy does however recognise that there may be some occasions when loss of units may be outweighed by environmental, street scene, transport or parking benefits that could not be achieved without the reversion. 

This approach will not lead to a significant loss of converted units but it will provide the opportunity for Planning Committee to take into account the environmental and transport benefits of the reversion to the wider residential area.”

(b) In accordance with notice given, Councillor Coombs asked the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning:

“Would the Cabinet Member explain the reason for the deletion of reference to Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in policy DM HO 1 and how many tenants' accommodation is potentially at risk?”

Councillor Morris replied in the following terms:

“I recognise that HMOs provide an important source of housing particularly for young and transient groups.  The deletion of the reference to HMOs was omitted from the LDF because The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2010, which came into force on 6th April 2010, permits a change of use of a building from Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation between 3 – 6 people) back to Class C3 (dwelling house). 

As planning permission will generally not be required for the change of use of a house in multiple occupation back to single household occupation and it is not appropriate to include a Development Management policy.  There is no absolute record of the number of HMOs in the Borough - around 460 are currently licensed.“

(c) In accordance with notice given, Councillor Elloy asked the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning:

“How she proposes to amend the third sentence of paragraph 5.4.25 of the LDF Development Management DPD  - which at present reads "Although the standards set are maximum parking levels as required by the London Plan, car parking provision should not be at a level less than these standards, unless a wholly exceptional circumstance." -

(a) so that it ends grammatically

(b) so that it is consistent with the more flexible wording at the end of the main policy DM TP 8 and in paragraph 5.4.30 and complies with policy CP 5.F of the LDF Core Strategy adopted in 2009.”

Councillor Morris replied in the following terms:

“The amendment to the third sentence of paragraph 5.4.25 of the LDF Development Management DPD clearly makes the point that car parking provision should except in exceptional circumstances not be at less than the maximum standards. 

In my view the meaning is clear, it is consistent with the other LDF sentences cited and with policy CP 5.F of the LDF Core Strategy therefore I am not intending to bring forward any further changes.”

An amendment to the recommendations was moved by Councillor Elengorn, seconded by Councillor Coombs to,

“Refer the Housing section back to Cabinet for further consideration as the content of this section was not sound or evidence-based”.

Following a debate, the amendment was put to the vote and declared to be lost.

The amendment therefore FELL.

Following a debate on the recommendations, these were put to the vote and declared to be carried.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Development Management Development Plan Document be agreed for formal publication and submission.
2. That theuse of the formal publication of the Development Management Development Plan Document for development control purposes be agreed (with the exception of Policy DM HO 6 Delivering Affordable Housing).

Treasury Management Annual Report 2009-10 and Update

RESOLVED:

1. That the Treasury Management Annual Report and Prudential Indicators in Appendix A for 2009/10 be approved.
2. That the revised Investment Criteria in Appendix B be approved.