Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure asked Cabinet to consider the Worcestershire Minerals Plan with a view to recommending that the draft Plan and the process for consultation and adoption, be considered by Full Council. The plan gave a list of where minerals exist, which would assist District Councils by identifying where minerals could be exploited in the future; this would in turn ensure that sites were not sterilised by permitting building on those sites.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment highlighted the environmental benefits which were being gained through improving the biodiversity around sites.

The Cabinet made various comments:

·       The document and the proposed public engagement was welcomed

·       The plan provided the opportunity to tidy up some sites which had been removed from the plan

·       The strategic document provided certainty to Councils as well as residents about what would happen to specific sites

·       A member from outside the Cabinet, was concerned that the consultation would be taking place throughout August when Parish Councils may not have a meeting. He hoped the consultation period could be extended. The Head of Strategic Infrastructure responded that the consultation was the last step in the process and details of the plan had been consulted on and publicised at each stage of the plan’s development so it wasn’t felt that an extended consultation period was necessary. The Chairman asked that Parishes be contacted to alert them to the consultation

·       Paul Middlebrough declared an interest in that he was Chairman of two liaison groups but queried whether ‘encouragement’ to have Liaison Groups was strong enough, as he felt that for large developments liaison groups should be insisted upon. The Cabinet Member responded that on significant sites, engagement was important but could not be insisted upon.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL:

(a)         approves the Publication Version of the Worcestershire Minerals Local Plan for Regulation 19 consultation;

(b)         authorises the Director of Economy and Environment to carry out such Regulation 19 consultation;

(c)         authorises the Director of Economy and Infrastructure to approve any minor amendments to the Publication Version of the Minerals Local Plan arising from the Regulation 19 consultation, prior to submission to the Secretary of State for Examination;

(d)         approves submission of the Publication Version of the Minerals Local Plan, amended as appropriate, to the Secretary of State for formal Examination following Regulation 19 consultation;

(e)         authorises the Director of Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility, to undertake consultation as necessary on any modifications arising from that Examination; and

(f)           agrees that the Minerals Local Plan is returned to Full Council with the Inspector's recommendations with a view to final decision on its adoption.