Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the STRATEGIC PLANNING JOINT ADVISORY PANEL held on 24 April 2007 at The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Councillors:

Hampshire County Council:

Portsmouth City Council:

Southampton City Council:

District Council representative also in attendance:

Councillor: D. Swanbrow (Fareham Borough Council)

K. Wood (Winchester City Council)

50. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

It was reported that, since more than a year had passed since the last meeting, Hampshire County Council's previous chairmanship of the Panel had expired. It was therefore

RESOLVED:

That Councillor J.K. Glen of Hampshire County Council be reappointed Chairman of the Panel for the ensuing year.

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COUNCILLOR J.K. GLEN IN THE CHAIR
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51. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should declare their personal interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the constituent Councils' Codes of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, any declarations to be made at the time of the debate.

No such declarations were made under this item.

52. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 16 March 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

53. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman informed the Panel that this meeting was likely to be the last meeting of the Panel as it would be superseded by the South East Plan. However, were the South East Plan to be delayed, another meeting may be required at a later date.

54. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been received.

55. RELEASE OF STRUCTURE PLAN RESERVE PROVISION

The Panel considered the report of the Hampshire Director of Environment, Portsmouth Strategic Director of Environment and Transport and Southampton Executive Director of Development and Sustainability (Item 6 in the Minute Book). Members were supportive of the conclusions of the report, and welcomed news that the existing land supply would be sufficient to enable the RPG target to be comfortably met and therefore there was no need to augment the supply through the release of reserve housing sites. The Panel expressed concern that developments, particularly in urban areas, tended to be flats rather than family homes, and noted that these concerns were best raised in other forums.

RESOLVED:

1 That the points made by the consultees with relation to the structure plan reserve provision for housing be noted.


2 That no reserve sites be released at the present time.


3 That the three Strategic Planning Authorities write to all consultees to thanks them for their comments, enclosing a copy of the report and its appendices and informing them of the decision made by the Panel.

56. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Panel considered the report of the Hampshire Director of Environment, Portsmouth Strategic Director of Environment and Transport and Southampton Executive Director of Development and Sustainability (Item 7 in the Minute Book). Members agreed that steps would need to be taken to increase the level of affordable housing available to meet the target of 35% contained in the South East Plan. The Panel felt that there was a particular need to increase the provision of affordable family homes. The Panel was of the view that funding for affordable housing would have to be increased to enable local authorities to deliver the level of affordable housing required within Hampshire. The Panel agreed that closer working between local planning authorities would better facilitate the delivery of affordable housing on a consistent basis across Hampshire.

RESOLVED:

1. That a high priority is placed on maximising affordable housing completions, whilst having regard to the type of affordable housing and size of dwelling needed in their area.

2. That every opportunity to lobby Government, MPs and the South East England Regional Housing Board to increase the amount of funding for affordable housing in Hampshire and South East England.

3. That Best Practice be encouraged through sharing information and experience widely between Hampshire authorities in respect of delivering affordable housing (e.g through scrutiny processes)