Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote Meeting

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

EC.46

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

 

 The Chair confirmed that Councillor Trevor Hall had resigned from the committee and will be replaced by Councillor Steven Lydon. In accordance with usual practice this would be reported to the next meeting of Council for information.

 

The Chair indicated that this was his last meeting after nine years as Chair of the committee, and thanked all Councillors and Officers who had helped him over the last 30 years. A number of Councillors thanked Councillor Pickering for his leadership over many years, and the depth of knowledge, skills and experience he had contributed.

 

There were none.

EC.47

Declaration of Interests

To receive declarations of interest.

 

Minutes:

There were none.

 

 

EC.48

Minutes pdf icon PDF 279 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2021

Minutes:

RESOLVED                That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2021  are approved as a correct record

EC.49

Public Question Time

The Chair of Committee will answer questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF QUESTIONS

Noon on XXXX, XX XXXX 2020

 

Questions must be submitted to the Chief Executive, Democratic Services, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud and can be sent by email to democratic.services@stroud.gov.uk

 
 

Minutes:

There were two public questions. The first from Dr David Thombs and the second from Mr Andy Davis, who both joined the meeting to ask their questions. Answers were delivered by the Chair. Supplementary questions were also answered. (Refer to Item 4 and the Recording of the Meeting).

 

EC.50

Tree Strategy pdf icon PDF 152 KB

To remind the Committee of the link to 2030 Strategy and Master plan in particular commitment NE11 to support the countrywide approach and advocate continued efforts for nature recovery through tree planting in collaboration with the Local Nature Partnership for an efficient and expert led approach to trees in Stroud District.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dr Gareth Parry, Director for Nature’s Recovery, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust had sent apologies and the 2030 Strategy Manager delivered presentation slides on his behalf, which gave a broad overview of the Gloucestershire Tree Strategy.

 

The 2030 Strategy Manager then introduced the report which gave a high-level overview of why tree planting should be undertaken in order to mitigate emissions, adapt to climate change by promoting shade and soil stability, help to manage floods through reduced water run-off, and improve habitats. It was a complex consideration to ensure that the right tree was in the right place for the right reasons. The Local Nature Partnership’s (LNP) Strategy was in line with the Council’s 2030 Strategy principles to work in partnership with experts, to engage expertise and address the natural environment theme in a ‘nature knows no boundaries’ approach. The report recommended adopting the LNP’s Gloucestershire Tree Strategy as an efficient and expedient way of starting action planning and delivery and illustrated how the action linked to the Council’s current practice and approach. It proposed some early considerations that could frame the next steps. Five action areas of Influence, Invest, Identify, Improve and Interact were suggested as a basis for the Stroud District local action plan. It was recommended that a local action plan be developed without delay in order to continue with the Council’s 2030 progress.

 

Councillor Kay asked how quickly the local action plan could be developed and whether it would be available for the committee at its next meeting. The 2030 Manager explained that the process was likely to take a little longer. The 2030 Strategy governance systems would be used to work with the 2030 Recovery Board to gain initial input, and would then be presented to the Environment Committee. Councillor Kay highlighted the importance of involving Parish Councils in any action plan produced and reiterated the need for the plan to be produced as soon as possible.

 

Councillor Rathor raised a number of questions including how local people, and especially young people, could be involved in this work; how plans could be developed so the people of Stroud had more investment in and ownership of them, and what more could be done when faced with the reality of a future catastrophe. The 2030 Strategy Manager emphasised that whilst there was a lot to be done, the Council has already achieved a great deal and had the ability to achieve more as was evident in the 2030 Strategy. A large amount of tree planting had already taken place in partnership with the Environment Agency, and a new development was planned with Salmon Springs. This development was a good example of engaging people in this work with the aim of the site becoming a training ground forcommunity volunteers to upskill. Attention was drawn to the Youth Council’s commitment in the Strategy and their keenness to engage other young people in a proactive manner. The Strategy was comprehensive, and not just a Carbon Neutral 2030 Strategy, but a climate and  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC.50

EC.51

Recycling - Developments for the Future pdf icon PDF 502 KB

To outline potential improvements, which would better insulate Stroud District Council from the fluctuations of markets in the sale of recyclates.

Minutes:

The Community Services Manager introduced the report which outlined what improvements could be made to insulate the Council from global recycling markets. He detailed the two main problems with the current recycling system. Paper and cardboard were collected by a box containment method which produced wet recyclate, affecting quality and generating additional costs. One option was the introduction of a wheelie bin containment method for this recyclate to keep it dry. The introduction of wheelie bins would need stringent modelling, as while there would be an expectation of this option that residents would recycle more, the consequence could be increased demand on fleet personnel and vehicles. The Community Services Manager explained that each of the proposals in the report were complex and whilst some rudimentary costs were provided, each would require comprehensive modelling. He noted that an alternative option was to introduce a larger tipping bay. This would allow for the rotation of paper and cardboard on site so it would be sent for processing in a dry state. This was not possible at present as the recyclate had to be moved daily due to space constraints.

 

The Community Services Manager detailed the third option for Dry Mixed Recycling. At present this recycling was sorted through a material recovery facility so the aim would be for the Council to take responsibility for the sorting rather than being reliant on a third party. He explained that whilst indicative costs were set out in the report, there was a need to look at future Government policy following the current consultation, particularly in relation to the deposit return scheme and extended producer responsibility.

 

Councillor Lydon asked what the possibilities were of aligning the collection and disposal of waste across all districts in the county to achieve important economies of scale. The Community Services Manager indicated that county wide discussions took place through the Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership. However, whilst it may be possible to standardise what can be collected, the methods of collection were difficult to align due to geographical differences and local priorities.

 

Councillor Hurst asked whether consideration had been given to using wet cardboard in a different way, mixing it with the composting system rather than drying it out for sale. The Community Services Manager explained that at present mixed loads of paper and cardboard were sorted by the processor so there was no way of separating cardboard.

 

Councillor Townley suggested that having an additional wheelie bin would be a real disadvantage for those people with limited space, and questioned whether local collection points could be used more widely. The Community Services Manager agreed that this was an option and that any proposal to introduce a wheelie bin scheme would require consultation with residents and appraisal of wider implications.

 

RESOLVED              a) To note the report contents;

b) To instruct officers in consultation with the Chair,
     to
continue exploring opportunities to work with

                                         neighbouring authorities, and

c) To bring a further report to Committee when there
     is
greater clarity on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC.51

EC.52

Pre-Submission District Local Plan pdf icon PDF 535 KB

To approve a Draft Stroud District Local Plan (Draft Local Plan) for publiciation in accordance with Regulations 19 and 20 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair reminded Members that the guidance from the Local Government Association was clear, that the planning process should continue during the pre-election period. Government expected all Local Planning Authorities to update Local Plans at least every five years, and since the Council adopted the current Local Plan in 2015, parts of it were now out of date. Government had urged all Local Authorities to continue with plan reviews despite the ongoing pandemic, and wished to see up-to-date Local Plans by 2023.

 

The Head of Planning Strategy introduced the report. The draft Local Plan was the product of four years’ work including taking account of extensive public consultation. It sought to manage the development needs of the District for the next 20 years whilst delivering on the commitment for the district to become carbon neutral by 2030, adapting to the impact of climate change, and providing resilience for the future. The Local Plan’s biggest contribution to the district’s CN2030 commitment was to reduce the need for travel by private car and the development strategy’s design took this into account. The aims of the development strategy were outlined including:

·         to concentrate housing growth at the main centres of population

·         to support the regeneration of the canal corridor through the Stroud valleys and at Berkeley/Sharpness

·         to maximise the use of previously developed land

·         to focus strategic employment at accessible locations within the Rail/A38/M5 corridor.

 

Whilst the strategy was based on concentrated development it included an element of dispersal to meet the needs of rural communities, by providing lesser levels of development in smaller towns and larger villages and allowing small scale development on the edge of smaller villages to support social sustainability. It prioritised the conservation and enhancement of the Cotswolds AONB, whilst supporting limited housing development to meet needs arising from within the AONB.

 

The Head of Planning Strategy detailed that the Council needed to comply with an increased minimum housing requirement set by government of 630 houses per year for the next 20 years. The range of housing sites within the Plan would give the Council the greatest ability to meet the challenging national requirement. The Local Plan sought to identify sufficient employment land to meet the job requirements of the local population and to reduce some of the current out-commuting. Requirements for the local economy would need to be reviewed once the longer-term impact of Covid 19 and Brexit became apparent. Sites for allocation had been rigorously assessed using the results of the Council’s Strategic Assessment of Land Availability work, transport and infrastructure work and Sustainability Appraisal. Sites had been selected which performed relatively well through the assessment process and which could deliver the Local Plan development strategy. Gloucester City had identified a shortfall of c.6000 dwellings to meet future housing needs. To meet the Council’s legal duty to cooperate requirements, a site at Whaddon had been safeguarded as the most appropriate site to help with addressing the shortfall, although it was expected that other neighbouring authorities would also  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC.52

EC.53

Member Reports

EC.53a

Planning Review Panel

Minutes:

The report had been circulated. Councillor Studdert-Kennedy indicated that despite considering the new Local Plan in great detail, it was not possible for the Panel to achieve unanimous support for it. He conveyed thanks to all past and present Members of PRP and all Officers involved for their work on the new Local Plan over many years.

EC.53b

Stroud Regeneration Committee pdf icon PDF 341 KB

Minutes:

The report had been circulated to Committee Members. There were no questions.

EC.53c

Performance Monitoring pdf icon PDF 358 KB

Minutes:

The report had been circulated to Committee Members. There were no questions.

EC.54

Member Questions

See Agenda Item 4 for deadlines for submission.

Minutes:

There were none.

 

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