RESOLVED: That Councillor Bill Evans be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited those present to introduce themselves.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor K Iddon (Lancashire County Council), Councillors Martin Boardman (Chorley Council) and Peter Moss (Preston City Council).

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgement of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

None.

To confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Central Lancashire Strategic Services Joint Advisory Committee held on 29 January 2019, as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 29 January 2019 be signed as a correct record by the Chair.

A verbal report will be given on this item.

Ms Claire Fallon, Principal Consultant and Director at Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP), and Jonathan Gaukroger, Consultant at Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP), presented a verbal report on the Central Lancashire Open Space Sports Recreation Study (OSSRA).

The study assessed the need for open space and outdoor sports provisions across Chorley, Preston and South Ribble. The committee was informed that KKP undertook consultations and site visits and established a steering group as part of the study and that their findings were produced in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

The presentation highlighted the high quality and quantity of parks across Central Lancashire but identified shortfalls in allotments across the area.

It was acknowledged that issues with drainage, lack of maintenance and unauthorised access were having an impact on the quality of sports pitches across Central Lancashire. However, demand for sports facilities remained high.

The committee was informed that site-by-site action plans had been created for each authority which provided thorough recommendations for sustaining and, where applicable, improving quality.

The report was noted.

A verbal report will be given on this item.

Mr Michael Bullock, Partner at Arc4, presented a report on the Central Lancashire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA).

The committee was informed of current figures for gypsy and traveller pitches and households in Chorley, Preston and South Ribble and the locations of these sites. Preston had the highest number of occupied sites whilst South Ribble had none.

It was explained that future need for sites was assessed in two ways. The first method identified need on a five-year basis and found an overall shortfall across Central Lancashire. The second method assessed the number of travelling children to ascertain long-term need for site provisions.

A collective response across Central Lancashire to address future transit need was encouraged. The potential location of this site was queried by the committee and it was suggested that assessing trends in the location of unauthorised sites would be a suitable method of determining a location.

The report was noted.

Report attached.

The committee received a report of the Central Lancashire Planning Policy Officers which provided an update on the progress of the Local Plan review.

The report provided updates on issues around flood risk, transport, call for sites exercises and greenbelt assessment. The committee was informed that the post of Local Plan Coordinator had now been filled.

It was acknowledged that issues with flood risk data formatting had led to delays in accessing such information.

The committee was notified that 494 submissions had been received through two Call for Sites exercises, although some of these were duplicate submissions.

The report was noted.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground 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.

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

A verbal report will be given on this item.

The committee received a verbal report on the Issues and Options Consultation which will seek views on key issues facing Central Lancashire, such as housing, the economy, climate change and heritage.

It was reported that these topics would likely form the framework of the plan and could serve as chapter headings.

The consultation will be mainly be undertaken digitally, through a digital questionnaire, social media posts and through the online platform ‘Citizen Space’. Member Learning Sessions and drop-ins will also be held and a bespoke youth questionnaire will be available to allow young people to give their opinions.

It was reported that site suggestions and materials and a draft Cabinet report would be presented to the committee at the next meeting in September 2019.

The report was noted.

Members are requested to note the following dates, times and venues of upcoming meetings:

Tuesday, 3 September 2019 – 6:30pm – Chorley Council

Monday, 28 October 2019 – 6:30pm – Preston City Council

Tuesday, 28 January 2020 – 6:30pm – South Ribble Borough Council

Tuesday, 24 March 2020 – 6:30pm – Chorley Council

The committee noted the change in times and locations of future meetings.