Apologies were received from Cllrs Barrell, Mrs Middlehurst, Morrissey and Mrs Squirrel.

No declarations of interest were made at this point.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Mrs McKinlay, will give a presentation.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Mrs McKinlay delivered a presentation to update Members on the Brentwood Town Centre Project and responded to Members’ questions.

Cllr Russell MOVED and Cllr Mrs Murphy SECONDED that the presentation be noted and it was RESOLVED accordingly.

Report to follow.

The Council was required to produce a new Local Plan for the Borough.  A significant amount of work had gone into preparing this plan to date, and more would be required as the Council reached the final stages.  As part of this process there was a need to undertake further Regulation 18 preparation and consultation.  This process was summarised in Appendix A to the report.

As part of this a range of evidence was being undertaken and updated where relevant.  Recently completed evidence studies relating to market housing and specialist need, Green Belt, and economy were attached in Appendices B-G.

Working with adjoining authorities who were also preparing for growth and considering the wider area to which the Borough contributed required strategic leadership and representation. 

Cllr Mrs McKinlay MOVED and Cllr Hirst SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

Cllr Aspinell MOVED an AMENDMENT to the MOTION but it was declared illegal as it would negate the MOTION. Members were directed by officers advising the Mayor that the same effect would be achieved by voting against the MOTION, and that debate on the MOTION should therefore proceed forthwith.

A full discussion took place where concerns were voiced regarding the impact of the listed sites for possible development in the Borough particularly in relation to highways issues, education and health.

In summing up Cllr Mrs McKinlay reiterated that Members and public concerns were valid but any objections to sites put forward in the proposed Local Development Plan needed to be evidence based for the Plan to be accepted by the Secretary of State.  Lack of evidence would result in the Plan being rejected and central government dictating where development would take place in the Borough.

A recorded vote was requested in accordance with Rule 9.5 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

Members voted as follows:

FOR:  Cllrs Bridge, Cloke, Hirst, Mrs Hones, Hossack, Kerslake, McCheyne, Mrs McKinlay, Mrs Murphy, Parker, Poppy, Mrs Pound, Reed, Ms Rowlands, Russell, Ms Sanders, Mrs Slade, Trump, Tumbridge and Wiles (20)

AGAINST:  Cllrs Aspinell, Barrett, Chilvers, Clarke, Mrs Davies, Mrs Fulcher, Keeble, Kendall, Mynott and Newberry (10)

ABSTAIN:  Cllr Mrs Hubbard (1)

The MOTION was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED to

1.    Approve preparation of work set out in Appendix A of the report to commence further Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation.

2.    Note the update provided on evidence base as set out in Appendices B, C, D, E, F and G of the report for the LDP Scrutiny Working Group to scrutinise content.

3.    Approve the formal designation of the Deputy Leader of the Council as Chair of the LDP Member Working Group, to assist the Leader of the Council to carry out tasks relating to strategic leadership and Duty to Cooperate representation.

(During the debate Cllr Kendall declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of being an Essex County Councillor).

Reasons for recommendations:

It was necessary to undertake further public consultation as part of the plan-making process to thoroughly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

Report to follow.

It had been intended for the Chief Executive to make an announcement regarding the Section 151 Officer, but relevant information was not available. 

However, Mr Ruck was pleased to announce that the Staff Appointments Committee had unanimously approved the appointment of Steve Summers as the Council’s Chief Operating Officer.

To consider any matter which, by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes of the meeting, the Mayor considers should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

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