Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2022.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 7 December 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests that they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director Planning and Place Making.

The report sets out the Current Draft Stockport Local Plan position, workstreams and timeline of work.

The Development Plan Working Party is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Steve Johnson 0161 474 3509 | steven.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director Planning and Place Making submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the Current Draft Stockport Local Plan position, workstreams and timeline of work.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that they would like to see consideration of environmental measures and preferably to have a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on this.  In response, the Working Party was advised that an Officer was looking at this issue.

·         Members received confirmation that community involvement via social media would be addressed.

·         Members queried the SPD and how it was not a rewriting of policy, how would this work in practice particularly in the intervening period and would this have enough ‘teeth’ to assist with the planning process in the intervening period?

·         It was agreed that Officers would send members of the Working Party copies of previous agendas so that they could access and review previous plans and policies.

·         Members raised concerns relating to progress and being able to see the detail as to what progress has been made.

·         Members commented that within Stockport, the right schemes needed to be in the right places and that new homes needed to be put in places where the infrastructure exists.

·         A short discussion took place relating to consulting on the SPD’s and consulting on actual policy.

·         Members asked whether the SPD’s could come to the working party before they go out to consultation? In response the Working Party was advised that approval of SPDs was at Cabinet level and was a relatively quick turnaround.

·         A Stockport Affordability Standard in relation to housing would be useful.

·         Members asked whether the documents were merely advisory or technical documents or were they something that Councillors needed to take accountability for?

·         Some Members felt that the SPD’s should come to the Working Party before they go before the Area Committees.

·         Members considered that there needed to be a clear process in relation to the SPDs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director Planning and Place Making.

The report details the proposed Education Contributions supplementary planning document (SPD) and consultation approach.

The Development Plan Working Party is requested to note the proposed Supplementary Planning Document and the intended period of consultation.

Officer contact: Hannah Mitchell 0161 474 3771 | hannah.mitchell@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director Planning and Place Making submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which detailed the proposed Education Contributions supplementary planning document (SPD) and consultation approach.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked how large the consultation would be and in response, the Working Part was advised that it would be around 30 pages long.

·         Concerns were expressed relating to birth rate variations and the differences in different parts of the Borough.

·         In response to a Member question, the Working Party was advised that there was a standard consultee list that would be contacted.

·         In general, Members welcomed the work that was being done in this area and the public response would be very interesting.  Members were encouraged to promote the consultation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director Planning and Place Making.

The report sets out the purpose of the government consultation on plan-making reforms and the time frame for response.

The Development Plan Working Party is requested to note the report and that the council’s response be finalised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Housing.

Officer contact: Steve Johnson 0161 474 3509 | steven.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director Planning and Place Making submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated which set out the purpose of the government consultation on plan-making reforms and the time frame for response.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In response to concerns raised about lack of detail, the Working Party was advised that as the documentation was developed Members would be informed.

·         Members were encouraged to send any comments or suggestions should be forwarded to the relevant officer.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that the council’s response be finalised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Housing.