Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Preston and Shaw.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were received:-

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Planning and Economic Regeneration Director explained that copies of a petition to address the Committee submitted by objectors to the application had been misplaced. Consequently, Officers were unaware of the request to address the Committee and likewise objectors were unaware that the application would be considered at this meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the application be deferred to provide objectors and the applicant time to prepare their presentation and exercise their right to address the Committee.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the development of an electricity generation facility on part of the existing metals recycling facility, comprising the erection of steel clad main processing building, turbine and boiler building, un-processed materials storage building, conveyer belt system, associated plant and machinery and perimeter fencing be approved, subject to the conditions and reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mrs.Thompson on behalf of objectors against the proposed development and a response from the applicant’s agent, Mr.Williams.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the condidions referred to in the report and Late Representations.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the layout of a road involving the erection of 5 pairs of semi-detached two storey dwellinghouses and one detached bungalow (11 in total) with associated car parking and landscaping after demolition of existing premises and outbuildings at 1A Virginia Street be approved subject to the conditions and reasons stated or referred to in the report.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mrs.Lewis on behalf of objectors against the proposed development and a response from the applicant’s agent,Mr.Armstrong.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions refferred to in the report.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director recommending that the above application for the layout of a Park & Ride facility, including bus transport facilities and altered site entrance be approved, subject to the conditions and reasons stated or referred to in the report and Late Representations.

Prior to consideration of the application, the Committee received a petition from Mr.Hill on behalf of objectors against the proposed development.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions referred to in the report and Late Representations.

RESOLVED:

That the following applications be approved, subject to:-

(1)      the conditions (if any) and for the reasons stated or referred to in the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director’s report and/or Late Representations 1 and 2; and

(2)            the applicants entering into any legal agreements indicated in the report or Late Representations:

The Planning and Economic Regeneration Director informed the Committee that this application had been withdrawn by the applicant.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director which advised that the undermentioned sites had been inspected by the Visiting Panel on 8 February, 2010.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the sites inspected by the Visiting Panel be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Chair, Councillor Moncur, declared a prejudicial interest in respect of this report, he vacated the Chair and left the room for the duration of consideration of this item. Councillor Veidman, the Vice-Chair, took the Chair for consideration of this item.

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that outlined the progress on the preparation of the joint Merseyside Waste Development Plan Document (DPD) and seeking approval and endorsement of the Preferred Options Report, which would include consultation on specific sites that had the potential to accommodate the additional waste management facilities that would be required in the future.

The report was submitted in accordance with a decision of City Region Cabinet that all the authorities participating in the preparation of the joint plan should receive a common report to explain and recommend approval of the Preferred Options Report.

Councillor Maher, as Ward Councillor, spoke in support of the removal of Site F1029: Site off Grange Road, Dunnings Bridge Road, Bootle: Proposed District Site Allocation.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet be recommended to approve:-

(1)            That the Waste DPD Preferred Options Report be noted;

(2)            That the commencement of a six-week long public consultation process on the Waste DPD Preferred Options Report during 2010 be agreed;

(3)            At this stage Sefton MBC invite the Planning Inspectorate to advise the Council on the soundness of the Waste DPD Preferred Options Report;

(4)            That Site F1029: Site off Grange Road, Dunnings Bridge Road, Bootle: Proposed District Site Allocation be removed from the Waste DPD Preferred Options Report; and

(5)            That a further report on the outcomes of the Preferred Options consultation be submitted to this Committee in due course.

Councillor Veidman vacated the Chair and the Chair was re-taken by Councillor Moncur

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that advised of a recent consultation by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council on an outline planning application for ‘the creation of a new city neighbourhood’ at East Float, Birkenhead and to sought the retrospective endorsement of officer comments submitted by the extended 4 February consultation deadline.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Wirral Waters: Creation of a New City Neighbourhood at East Float, Birkenhead Planning Application – Neighbouring Authority Consultation

report be noted; and

(2)      the Officer comments, submitted to Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council by the 4 February deadline, be endorsed.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that advised of the content of the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper on Improving the Use and Discharge of Planning Conditions.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Improving the use and Discharge of Planning Conditions report be noted; and

(2)      the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director’s responses to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper, as detailed within the report, be endorsed.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that advised of the Government proposals to modernise the building control system with the aim of addressing the perceived weaknesses in the current system, improving compliance with the Building Regulations and further reducing the burdens associated with the system.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Department for Communities and Local Government - Implementation Plan for the Future of Building Control report be noted; and

(2)      the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be requested to present an update report for consideration by this Committee when further advice is received in respect of the Implementation Plan and in particular the proposed revisions to the Inspection and Charging Regimes.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that advised of the content of the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper on Permitted Development Rights for Small Scale Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technologies, and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on the Permitted Development Rights for Small Scale Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technologies, and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure report be noted; and

(2)      the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director’s responses to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper, as detailed within the report, be endorsed.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that reported the key findings of the Joint Employment Land and Premises Study, which was one of a number of key evidence gathering studies that were being undertaken to inform the Core Strategy process and to guide advice and decisions on individual employment proposals and planning applications.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the key findings of the Joint Employment Land and Premises Study for Sefton be noted; and

(2)      the key findings of the study to inform the emerging Core Strategy process and advice and decisions in relation to individual proposals and planning applications, be endorsed.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that informed of the consultation on the Draft Part 1 of the forthcoming Northwest Regional Strategy and sought delegated authority from the Cabinet for the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director to provide partial comments on behalf of Sefton and to contribute towards a joint Liverpool City Region response.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the key elements of the North West Regional Strategy 2010: Draft Part 1 Consultation and agree the suggested (partial) consultation response set out in the report be noted; and 

(2)      the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be authorised to send the above, and any necessary further consultation comments, to the DCLG as part of the Council’s formal response to this consultation exercise.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that sought approval for the renewal of the Mersey Forest Agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council (2010/11 to 2014/15), which would include a commitment to continue partner contributions over the next five years. The report also requested delegated authority for the Legal Director and Planning and Economic Regeneration Director to agree minor changes to the agreement if required. The report provided an update on the work of the Mersey Forest team who continue to demonstrate best value for the Council.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the draft Mersey Forest Agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council 2010/2011 to 2014/2015 be approved;

(2)      a fixed contribution of £18,609 per annum for the next five years be approved;

(3)      the Legal Director and Planning and Economic Regeneration Director be authorised to agree any minor amendments to the draft Agreement, and subject thereto, to enter into the Agreement; and

(4)      the report and the continuing best value of the Mersey Forest team be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the six-monthly report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the progress towards the Planning Department meeting its Service and Corporate Plan objectives and targets for the period to September 2009.

RESOLVED:

That the Planning and Economic Regeneration Department – Performance Report April to September 2009 be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that sought approval to increase fees and charges levied within the Planning Portfolio.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the content of the Proposed Increase in Fees and Charges report be noted; and

(2)      the Cabinet be recommended to approve the proposed increases in fees and charges for 2010/11, and the revised financial contributions to be set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that informed of the Planning Enforcement workload for the October to December 2009 quarter. The report also provided an update on the progress of cases where formal action had been taken/authorised. The report went on to review the work of the Enforcement Team during the year 2009.

Attached as an annexe to the report was a list of Outstanding Enforcement Cases be noted.

RESOLVED:

That the report and attached annexe of Outstanding Enforcement Cases be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that provided an update on the Regulatory Services development in 2009 and agreed the priorities for the coming year.

RESOLVED:

That the Regulatory Service Development report and the attached schedules be noted and the priorities for 2010, as detailed within the report, be agreed.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that advised the Planning Department's performance in dealing with planning applications, appeals, and related matters for the fourth quarter of 2009.

RESOLVED:

That the Development Control Performance report be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director that provided the forecast position, based on information as at the 31 December 2009, in relation to the Portfolio’s 2009/10 Revenue Budget.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the progress on the Planning Portfolio’s revenue budgets that are subject to risk-based monitoring be noted; and

(2)      the provisional Local Authority Business Growth Initiative Grant allocation of £207,000 be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Committee considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the results of the undermentioned appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the results of appeals and progress on appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate be noted.