Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision:  

The report covered the draft Planning and Climate Change Portfolio Plan 2013-14, which sets out the strategic objectives for the portfolio for the year ahead, describes the context in which the portfolio was being delivered and detailed the activities required to deliver the outcomes and the vision.  Performance measures and risks are also shown for each strategic objective.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

            i.     Approve the draft Planning and Climate Change Portfolio Plan 2013-14.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change regarding Portfolio Plan for 2013-14.

Concerns were expressed about inherent tensions between the aspirations to preserve the character of the city and the quality of the designs being agreed by the planning system. The Executive Councillor disputed this and asked for details on specific schemes where there were concerns. It was agreed that this would be discussed outside this meeting. The Director of Environment stated that officers were committed to getting the best possible outcomes for the city within the realities and constraints of the planning process.

In response to questions from the committee members the following points were confirmed:

            i.      The district heating scheme project was making good progress and a Memorandum of Understanding was due to be agreed with Cambridge University in the near future. 

          ii.     No progress had yet been achieved towards a Co-operative Energy Scheme.

        iii.     Officers were not present to explain why there was no set target for CO2 reduction and an answer would be circulated to members shortly.

        iv.     Work was on-going with the County Council to mitigate the impact of additional buses required for the fringe developments. The County Council’s transport strategy would pick this issue up and the City Council would have an input into any decisions.

         v.     It was conceded that the carbon management programme was based on questionable baseline data.

The Committee resolved by 4 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.