Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Planning, Highways and Street Scene Services, held on (i) 7th July, 2014 and on (ii) 17th July, 2014 be approved as correct records for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Ecology Development Officer, concerning this Council’s Local Wildlife Good Practice Guidance which is designed to support developers when considering the natural environment, particularly wildlife habitats and species, within development proposals. The information, which covers the planning application process and detailed development design, can be used by developers, agents or consultants throughout the planning process and can apply to single dwellings or larger developments.

The Council’s Local Wildlife Good Practice Guidance is published to accompany the consultation on the emerging Sites and Policies Document 2014.  Consultation will commence on the draft Sites and Policies Document and its accompanying Integrated Impact Assessment later in 2014 and will last for a period of six weeks.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the preparation of robust Good Practice Guidance to guide the preparation and decision-making of future planning applications and setting out clear requirements for applicants when submitting their proposals be noted.

(3) That the publication of the draft Local Wildlife Good Practice Guidance notes, to be made available alongside the consultation on the emerging Sites and Policies Document later in 2014, be supported.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Scientific Officer, containing a brief summary of the Air Quality and Emissions Good Practice Guidance. This guidance is intended to deal with the pollutants covered by the Local Air Quality Management regime and will provide an improved template for integrating air quality considerations into land use planning and development management policies with the aim of reducing the emissions from road transport.  The draft Air Quality and Emissions Good Practice Guidance will be published to accompany the consultation on the emerging Sites and Policies Document 2014. Consultation on the draft Sites and Policies Document and its accompanying Integrated Impact Assessment will commence later in 2014 and will last for a period of six weeks.

Members requested a further briefing about the various initiatives planned and already taking place to improve air quality in the Rotherham Borough area.

It was noted that there will be further consideration of the way in which the guidance is presented, for the benefit of the determination of future applications for planning permission.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the preparation of robust Good Practice Guidance to guide the preparation and decision-making of future planning applications and setting out clear requirements for applicants when submitting their proposals be noted.

(3) That the publication of the draft Air Quality and Emissions Good Practice Guidance notes, to be made available alongside the consultation on the emerging Sites and Policies Document later in 2014, be supported.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation Officer, providing an overview of the good practice guidance document which has been drafted to encompass existing advice to developers on transport issues in support of the Rotherham Local Plan.  The Transport Assessments, Travel Plans and Parking Standards Draft Good Practice Guidance is published to accompany the consultation on the emerging Sites and Policies Document 2014.  Consultation will commence on the draft Sites and Policies Document and its accompanying Integrated Impact Assessment later this year and will last for a period of six weeks.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the preparation of robust Good Practice Guidance to guide the preparation and decision-making of future planning applications and setting out clear requirements for applicants when submitting their proposals be noted.

(3) That the publication of the draft Transport Assessments, Travel Plans and Parking Standards Good Practice Guidance note, to be made available alongside the emerging Sites and Policies Document later in 2014, be supported.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the local authority)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial/business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Streetpride, stating that approval has been received from the Environment Agency to commence the Aston, Aughton and Swallownest Phase 2 Flood Reduction Scheme (i.e. Property Level Protection Scheme), in 2014/2015.

Accordingly, an exemption was being sought from standing order 48 (requirement to invite three written tenders for a contract with an estimated value of over £50,000) to undertake the property level protection works at the Aston, Aughton and Swallownest Phase 2 Flood Reduction Scheme.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That an exemption from standing order 48 (requirement to invite three tenders for a contract with an estimated value of greater than £50,000) be approved and that the contracts be offered to UK Flood Barriers Limited for the property level protection works and to Phoenix Adam Limited, Consultants for the independent property survey works, in accordance with the details contained in the report now submitted.