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Apologies were received from Cllr Lewis and Cllr Fryd was substitute.

The minutes of the Policy, Resources & Economic Development Committee which took place on 8^th February 2023 were agreed as a true record.

A presentation will be given to the Committee.

The Chair, Cllr Hossack, presented to Committee highlighting all that had been achieved for the municipal year 2022-23.

This report provided a quarterly update on progress of the One Team Transformation Programme.

Mr Campbell presented the report.

Members welcomed the update.

The Government is currently consulting on a range of short and long-term changes to national planning policy which would impact upon how the council manages development in the borough, both through the plan-making and decision-making (planning application) processes.  By responding to the consultation, the council can help to ensure that its interests, and those of its communities, are taken into account prior to these changes being introduced.

Mr Drane presented the report.

Members welcomed this report and thanked officers for their hard work.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED that the recommendations be approved. 

Members voted UNANIMOUSLY and it was RESOLVED to:

1.     Approve the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to national planning policy, as set out in Appendix A.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Government’s consultation proposes a range of measures that may impact on the council’s interests, both positively and negatively, insofar as they relate to discharging its responsibilities in plan-making and decision-making.  There is a risk that some of these measures may have impacts that are perceived to be negative.  By responding to the consultation, the council can help ensure that any concerns and wider comments are factored in before the Government introduces these policy changes.

This report updates Members on the progress which has been made in preparing a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule for the borough since the previous updates in March and September 2022.

The draft CIL Charging Schedule was published for Regulation 16 consultation in October 2022.  This report presents the outcomes of that consultation and recommends minor amendments to address issues identified through representations received.

Mr Quilter presented the report.  Members thanked the Planning Policy Team for this report.

Following discussion Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Mynott SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

Members voted UNANIMOUSLY and it was RESOLVED to:

1.     Note the outcomes of the Regulation 16 consultation on the draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule.

2.     Approve the submission of the updated draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule (Appendix A) and supporting documents (Appendices B-G), to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination in accordance with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) and the Planning Act 2008.

3.     Delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, to make modifications to the submission documents during, and as a result of, the Examination in Public as advised to be necessary by the appointed Planning Inspector.

Reasons for Recommendation

The council has identified a corporate priority to adopt a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for the borough.  CIL will help secure infrastructure investment alongside new development identified in the council’s local development plan.  Resource to progress CIL to submission has been prioritised following local plan adoption in March 2021. 

The recommendations have been made to deliver CIL to the borough, noting the outcomes of the Regulation 16 consultation, which informs the draft CIL Charging Schedule to be submitted for examination.  Delegated authority is sought to make amendments that the planning inspector may require through the examination process, much in the same way as was approved for the local plan examination.  Subject to approval of the committee and a successful conclusion to the CIL examination, outcomes will be reported to the council ahead of any decision to adopt the CIL Charging Schedule and how it should be implemented with regard to administering, monitoring and spending the levy,

[Cllr White declared a non-pecuniary interest for reasons that his employer, Network Rail, were listed within the report].

There were 2 items of urgent business for decision considered by Committee.  The reports are appended to the Minutes.

1.       King’s Coronation – Free Parking 8^th May 2023

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. During the ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Her Majesty The Queen Consort. Across the country events will be taking place to mark this historic occasion.

Brentwood Borough Council will offer free parking in all its Council owned car parks on Monday 8^th May 2023.

Miss Barnes summarised the report.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations.  Members voted UNANIMOUSLY and it was RESOVED to:

1.     Approve that the parking fees on Monday 8th May 2023 are waivered and Council owned car parks offer all day free parking on this day.

Reasons for Recommendation

Supporting events across the borough being held on the bank holiday for the King’s coronation .

2.       Fees & Charges – Term Time Season Tickets

The Council introduces a term time car parking season ticket for King George’s Playing Field, made available to students and school employees should they wish to purchase one.

Miss Barnes presented the report.

Following a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations.  Members voted UNANIMOUSLY and it was RESOVED to:

1.     Agree the introduction of a term time season ticket for King George’s Playing Field from 1st April 2023 at a cost of £950 per annum.

Reasons for Recommendation

To support residents and employees who work in the schools an incentive to park at a reduced cost to the current day rates, utilising spaces in an under used car park so town centre car parks can support local businesses and shoppers within the town centre.

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved

The Chair closed the meeting to press and public and continued the meeting in private session. 

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

A Motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to agree the recommendation in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED. 

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

A Motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to agree the recommendation in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED.

[Cllr Russell declared a pecuniary interest and left the meeting prior to the item being debated and did not vote.]