Agenda and minutes

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living) which provided information on the progress made in respect of the Mobility and Wheelchair Housing SPD and its accompanying Sustainability Report.

Officers advised that the title of the document was subject to change and confirmed that the content and appearance of the document had been improved since the agenda had been printed.

In response to a question from a Member, officers advised that, ideally, accommodation for wheelchair users would be situated on the ground floor to minimise any risks associated with identifying a means of escape in the event of an emergency.  Officers were requested to consider further this aspect of the SPD.

Some Members queried the accuracy of the data contained in the table showing ‘Population of Harrow with Limiting Long Term Illness or Disability’ (page 47 of the agenda), as the figures did not add up.  A Member queried how it was possible to ascertain from the information provided in this table how many people would require wheelchair housing.  Officers advised that this was not possible, but that the table helped provide an indication of the general scale of a variety of disabilities.

Officers agreed to investigate the building control specification for door widths, in relation to design of buildings for wheelchair users.

Officers advised that the Mobility and Wheelchair Housing SPD complemented the Access for All SPD which had been considered at the meeting of the Panel on 13 July 2005.  It was the officers’ intention to bring the results of the consultations on both SPDs to the Special Meeting of the Panel being held on 8 November 2005.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Housing)

That (1) officers be authorised to commence the initial work on the engagement with the four statutory consultation authorities with environmental responsibilities in line with the European Directive 2001/42/EC Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (SEA) and the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) process under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act;

(2) following (1), subsequent consultation be undertaken with relevant authorities, the public and key stakeholders on the scope of the Mobility and Wheelchair Housing SPD and its accompanying Sustainability Appraisal.

[REASON: To ensure that access considerations form an integral part of the development process and to ensure that local services and facilities are accessible to everyone].

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living) which provided information on the responses received in respect of the initial consultation undertaken as part of the process for developing the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

A Member noted that the ‘Purpose of the Consultation’ (page 63 of the agenda) did not state that respondents’ views would be taken into consideration.  Officers confirmed that one of the aims of community involvement (as set down in the SCI) was to provide better feedback than had previously been given, and assured Members that respondents’ comments would be used to inform the content of the SCI.

Officers stated that, to date, the responses received had not highlighted any new issues of particular significance, but that the consultation had been necessary to identify whether this was the case.  In response to a question from a Member, officers confirmed that the cost of the consultation had been absorbed within the normal salary costs, and that the only additional expenditure had been printing and postage; this expenditure would have been incurred in any exercise to update contact details of individuals and organisations on the database.

Some Members expressed concern that a number of organisations had asked to be deleted from the database of consultees.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Housing)

That it be agreed that officers proceed to formal public consultation on the SCI.

[REASON: The Council has a statutory duty to prepare an SCI.  Submission of the SCI to the Government Office for London according to the agreed timetable and the Inspectorate (PINS) for examination by March 2006 will ensure the Council’s ability to attract the appropriate level of Planning Delivery Grant].

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living) which provided an update on the Council’s position is respect of its response to the draft alterations to the London Plan policies on Housing Provision Targets and Planning for Waste.

Officers advised that it was proposed that the Council undertake discussions both internally and with colleagues in other West London boroughs, with a view to making representations as part of the three month public consultation programmed to commence in October 2005.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Housing)

That (1) it be agreed that the Council respond at the formal public consultation stage in October 2005;

(2) the Mayor of London be advised accordingly. 

[REASON: The Council has a fundamental interest in the draft alterations because of the implications for the production of the Local Development Framework, and would therefore wish to submit fully considered comments on them].

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             after notifying the Chair at the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED: To note the following declarations of interest made by Members present relating to business to be transacted at this meeting:

Agenda Item 9 – Statement of Community Involvement (SCI): Initial Consultation Responses

Following a number of declarations of personal interest made by Members, the Panel agreed to record that, due to the Borough-wide nature of the consultation, all Members of the Panel had a personal interest in a number of the organisations listed in the officer’s report.  Accordingly, all Members remained in the room and took part in the discussion and decision-making on this item.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the Chair be given authority to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2005, those minutes having been circulated at the meeting, as a correct record of that meeting, once printed in the Council Bound Volume.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 18, 15 and 16 (Part 4B of the Constitution) respectively.

Report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living).

See Recommendation 1.

Report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living).

See Recommendation 2.

Report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living).

See Recommendation 3.

Some Members expressed concern that some of the actions requested of officers at previous meetings had not always been followed through to completion.  An example was given of the request, made at the meetings of the Panel held on 1 March 2005 and 16 March 2005, that Members be provided with individual copies of PPGs, PPSs and any consultation documents.

RESOLVED: That an Action Plan be produced after each meeting and circulated to Members and officers to provide a reminder of actions agreed at meetings.