Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have in respect of the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2019.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last Decision Session held on 9 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Executive Member.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on 16 October 2019.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting. Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officers (contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at:

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, the speakers have registered to speak on items 4 and 6 [Developing the York Economic Partnership and Strategy] and [Permitted Development Rights for solar panels].

Michael Hammill noted that his application for solar panels had been rejected. He requested that the Executive Member make sure planning policy was in line with dealing with a Climate Emergency.

Gwen Swinburn supported the comments of Michael Hammill, suggesting that similar applications in such circumstances be automatically referred to Planning Committee. In regards to the York Economic Strategy, she raised concerns that it was not strategic enough for the city.

This report asks the Executive Member to approve a broad outline of the new Economic Strategy and agree to the establishment of a York Economic Partnership and a York People’s Panel consultation.

Resolved: That;

                             i.        The broad outline of the new Economic Strategy, as set in the report be noted;

                            ii.        The establishment of a York Economic Partnership and a York Peoples’ Panel consultation, as set out in the report, be approved.  

Reason:     To support inclusive economic growth in York.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out York’s current Economic Strategy and what the Council’s new Economic Strategy will be seeking to achieve. The Head of Economic Growth gave an overview of the report. The Strategy will seek to continue growth seen in recent years, but with a renewed effort to enable all of York’s communities to benefit from that growth. As well as an objective to work with low-paid sectors to improve productivity and help them provide better jobs.

The Executive Member stated that it is important that we are clear what will benefit York, it’s residents, and business’, particularly small business who employ the majority of people in the city. He thanked the officer for capturing his own views on a York People’s Panel, noting the importance of receiving the actual experiences of people in the city.

Resolved: That;

                             i.        The broad outline of the new Economic Strategy, as set in the report be noted;

                            ii.        The establishment of a York Economic Partnership and a York Peoples’ Panel consultation, as set out in the report, be approved.  

Reason:     To support inclusive economic growth in York.

The Executive Member is asked to note the progress of the Supplementary Planning Documents, and endorse both the scope of the Green Infrastructure SPD and the scope of the Carbon Reduction, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design and Construction SPD.

Resolved: That;

                             i.        The progress of the Supplementary Planning Documents be noted;

                            ii.        The scope of the Green Infrastructure SPD be endorsed to allow the draft document to progress;

                          iii.        The scope of the Carbon Reduction, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design and Construction SPD be endorsed, to allow the document to progress as the next priority SPD.

Reason:     So that work on interim draft Supplementary Planning Documents can be progressed prior to adoption of the York Local Plan.

                          iv.        A report be taken to the Local Plan Working Group and Executive regarding the production of an Affordable Housing SPD and the implications of national policy changes.

Reason:     So that Members are aware of potential implications of the NPPF (2019) on affordable housing policy and consequential implications for the production of an SPD.

                           v.        A future report on Green-blue Infrastructure Strategy be taken to Executive to endorse the scope, timetable, and resources required for a GBI strategy and action plan.

Reason:     So that work on a draft GBI strategy and action plan can commence.

                          vi.        A response to the government’s consultation on whether to implement changes to Part L of the Building Regulations be taken to a joint Decision Session of the Executive Members for Environment and Climate change, and Economy and Strategic Planning.

Reason:     So that the Council can submit a formal response to the Government led consultation on Building Regulations.

The Executive Member welcomed the report and the Development Officer provided an overview of the report, outlining the progress update and scoping details of the prioritised Supplementary Planning Documents for Green-Blue Infrastructure and Affordable Housing. As well as recognising Members commitment to Carbon Reduction, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design and Construction SPDs.

The Executive Member noted it was good to see that Passive House was now the standard for all houses that are about to be constructed. He noted that Blue Infrastructure is a term known mainly to the council, therefore any communication should make clear what is Blue Infrastructure in relation to flood prevention and how we live with water. The Executive Member also stated that he was happy to see the report is factoring in Northern Forest as a natural Carbon Reduction tool.

The Development Officer provided an overview of the report. In response to questions from the Executive Member, officers confirmed that:

·        The Council will have a consultation strategy for when the draft SPD is brought back to Local Plan Working Group and Executive.

·        The consultations will be published in advance of the statutory period, using social media, press releases, and council wide newspaper.

The Executive Member requested that officers brief all relevant departments and relevant committee chairs, to allow for submissions to be ready for the consultation on the Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy SPD’s.

Resolved: That;

i.             The progress of the Supplementary Planning Documents be noted;

ii.            The scope of the Green Infrastructure SPD be endorsed to allow the draft document to progress;

iii.      The scope of the Carbon Reduction, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design and Construction SPD be endorsed, to allow the document to progress as the next priority SPD.

Reason:     So that work on interim draft Supplementary Planning Documents can be progressed prior to adoption of the York Local Plan.

iv.      A report be taken to the Local Plan Working Group and Executive regarding the production of an Affordable Housing SPD and the implications of national policy changes.

Reason:     So that Members are aware of potential implications of the NPPF (2019) on affordable housing policy and consequential implications for the production of an SPD.

v.       A future report on Green-blue Infrastructure Strategy be taken to Executive to endorse the scope, timetable, and resources required for a GBI strategy and action plan.

Reason:     So that work on a draft GBI strategy and action plan can commence.

vi.      A response to the government’s consultation on whether to implement changes to Part L of the Building Regulations be taken to a joint Decision Session of the Executive Members for Environment and Climate change, and Economy and Strategic Planning.

Reason:     So that the Council can submit a formal response to the Government led consultation on Building Regulations.

This report provides an update on Permitted Development Rights for Solar and Photovoltaic (PV) Panels.

Resolved: That;

                             i.        The City of York Council support steps to reduce

carbon emissions within this city;

                            ii.        The content of the report be noted and that officers continue to review options for suitable products for solar power in conservation areas and on historic buildings and to update the council website accordingly and take appropriate steps to publicise changes to permitted developments;

                          iii.        Comments made at this meeting be included in consultation on the Carbon Reduction, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design and Construction SPD.

Reason:     To recognise the importance of the commitment to tackle climate change and maintain transparency to the public, and the feed comments made at the meeting into ongoing SPD’s.

The Executive Member considered a report outlining current  Permitted Development Rights for Solar and Photovoltaic (PV) Panels. The Head of Development Services introduced the report, stating that in most cases, given the provision of permitted development rights, residents and businesses in York would be able to install Solar and Photovoltaic Panels without requiring formal planning permission. Utilisation of Permitted Development rights to install PV panels is something the Council is keen to encourage the usage of. There are a number of factors in which permission might be required. Each application is considered on its own merits and its impact on both the property and surrounding area which will vary on a case by case basis.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, the Head of Development Services confirmed:    

·        That there was a correction to the report page 80 paragraph 8 (of the agenda pack). ‘In 2018 the Council received 16.no applications which included Solar or Solar PV equipment either as a standalone proposal or which were incorporated into a larger proposal. Planning permission was granted for 14 of these applications, 1 planning application and 1 Listed Building Consent (at the same site) were refused due to the impact of the proposal on a heritage asset.’

·        The process undertaken when an application is made in a conservation area. Confirming if amendments could be made that would allow the application to be accepted then discussions will be held with the applicant, if this is not the case then the application will be rejected.

·        For household applications there is a 8 week decision target for applications. This can be extended if agreed with the applicant.

·        Development Managers track applications including to make sure they are remaining within the 8 week decision target deadline.

·        The department continue to monitor new products in a variety of ways, including ones that maybe more sympathetic in conservation areas.

·        That relevant guidance and examples of best practice could be included on the council’s website.

The Executive Member welcomed the report and noted that it is important to show the council’s commitment to tackling climate change. He also noted that the historic nature of a house does not preclude renewables.  

Resolved: That;

                             i.        The City of York Council support steps to reduce

carbon emissions within this city;

                            ii.        The content of the report be noted and that officers continue to review options for suitable products for solar power in conservation areas and on historic buildings and to update the council website accordingly and take appropriate steps to publicise changes to permitted developments;

                          iii.        Comments made at this meeting be included in consultation on the Carbon Reduction, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design and Construction SPD.

Reason:     To recognise the importance of the commitment to tackle climate change and maintain transparency to the public, and the feed comments made at the meeting into ongoing SPD’s.