Agenda and minutes

The roles of Chair/Vice Chairs of the Joint Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning rotate between the three authorities on an annual basis. As this is the first meeting of the 2013/14 municipal year, it is necessary to appoint a Chair and Vice Chairs. The Chairs for the previous two municipal years were appointed from Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council respectively, therefore the Chair should be appointed from Blackburn with Darwen Council on this occasion, with Vice Chairs appointed from Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council for the remainder of the 2013/14 municipal year.

The Clerk reported that the roles of Chair and Vice Chair of the Joint Advisory Committee rotated between the three authorities on an annual basis. As this was the first meeting of the 2013/14 municipal year, it was necessary to appoint a Chair and Vice Chairs. The Chairs for the previous two municipal years were appointed from Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council respectively, therefore the Chair was due to be appointed from Blackburn with Darwen on this occasion, with Vice Chairs appointed from Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council for the remainder of the 2013/14 municipal year.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council, was proposed as Chair by Councillor Dave Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council, seconded by County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council.

County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council, was proposed as Vice Chair by County Councillor Janice Hanson, Lancashire County Council, seconded by County Councillor Bill Winlow, Lancashire County Council.

Councillor Fred Jackson, Blackpool Council, was proposed as Vice Chair by County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council, seconded by Councillor Dave Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  Councillor Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, be appointed Chair of the Joint Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning for the remainder of the 2013/14 municipal year;

(ii)  County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council, and Councillor Fred Jackson, Blackpool Council, be appointed Vice Chairs of the Joint Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning for the remainder of the 2013/14 municipal year.

At this point, Councillor Bateson assumed the Chair.

At the invitation of the Chair, Jill Anderson, Senior Solicitor, Lancashire County Council, outlined the role of the Joint Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning and referred to previous arrangements whereby a Joint Committee, comprising of the relevant Cabinet Members, met immediately following the Joint Advisory Committee to consider the recommendations. Subsequently, due to legal implications, it was now felt appropriate for recommendations to be taken back to each of the joint authorities for individual consideration. It remained the case that adoption of the Minerals and Waste Development Framework, was reserved to the Full Council of each of the joint authorities.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council and County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council.

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary or Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None declared.

Resolved: - That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Richard Sharples, Planning Officer, Lancashire County Council, attended and presented a report setting out proposals for a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to assist developers and the public in interpreting existing planning policy contained in the Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, as it would apply to onshore oil and gas developments, including those using hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

It was proposed that a targeted consultation with key stakeholders on the proposed scope of the SPD would take place in June 2014. Further consultation with statutory consultees might be necessary after which a report to the Joint Advisory Committee and the authorities would recommend approval of a draft SPD for consultation. It was envisaged that a six week public consultation would take place during September and October 2014 with a report to the Joint Advisory Committee anticipated in January 2015 recommending, subject to approval by the joint authorities, adoption of the SPD.

In response to queries raised by Councillors, it was clarified that applications submitted prior to approval of the SPD, would be subject to the existing guidance and, even after the adoption of the SPD, any applications would have to be considered with regard to the existing policy. The SPD, therefore, helped to clarify the existing policy. It was emphasised that, only through a revision to the policies of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan which will be undertaken as part of the proposed review, that it will be possible to amend any policy. Reference was made to the need for rigorous inspection processes and it was confirmed that these would be included in the SPD. It was felt that, for the second period of consultation scheduled to take place during September and October 2014, an eight week consultation period would be beneficial rather than the six week period outlined in the report.

Reference was made to two applications for fracking which were expected and that the County Council's Cabinet would be asked, at its meeting on 8 May 2014, to approve proposals for Health Impact Assessments to be undertaken. Cuadrilla would also be undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments. It was suggested that the Health and Safety Executive be included as a consultee during the scoping stage, together with public health bodies.

It was noted that, as far as officers were aware, no other local authorities had proposed the adoption of a SPD.

Resolved: - That the Joint Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning recommends to the joint authorities that officers commence the preparation of an Onshore Oil and Gas Supplementary Planning Document and that it be recommended that the public consultation period on the draft SPD be extended from six weeks to eight weeks.

Louise Nurser, Planning and Development Manager, Lancashire County Council, attended and presented a report setting out proposals for a review of the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy and Site Allocations and Development Managements Policies Local Plan.

It was reported that both the Core Strategy and the Local Plan ran until 2021 but that the Inspector of the Local Plan, which had only been adopted in September 2013, suggested that an update should occur as soon as possible to ensure the most up to date policies were in place.

The minerals and waste industries made a significant local and national contribution to the economy but also generated significant public concern and it was therefore important to have rigorous and up to date policies in place. The Local Plan allowed local aspects and considerations to be taken into account when determining applications, rather than relying solely on national policies and guidance. The local plan was subject to statutory procedures requiring consultation with the public, industry and regulators.

It was proposed that the life of the plan runs until 2031 with adoption proposed for late 2016.

Resolved: - That the Joint Advisory Committee for Strategic Planning recommends to the joint authorities that approval be given to review the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy and Local Plan.

There was no urgent business to be considered.

To be arranged.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee would be held on a date to be arranged.