Council and democracy

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 2, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL

Contact: Rhiannon Whiteley, Senior Democratic Services Officer 

Media

Items
No. Item

18.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Local Development Plan Task Force meeting held on 26 September 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Local Development Plan Task Force Meeting held on 26 September were approved as a correct record.

19.

Items of Urgent Business

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

20.

Declaration of Interests

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no interests declared.

21.

Local Plan Update Presentation pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Local Plans Manager provided members with a presentation with an update on the local plan.

 

The Local Plans Manager advised that they are struggling to book venues for the Local Plan information events.

 

The Chair queried whether there was enough engagement with members as she noted they seemed to be engaging more with the Youth Cabinet.

 

The Local Plans Manager clarified that the Youth Cabinet meet twice a month for a meeting and a workshop session, the Local Plans Manager has been engaging with them for 20 minutes of their workshop session to discuss a small issue each time eg Safety.

 

Councillor Collins joined the meeting at 19.17.

 

Councillor Collins raised that a flood risk assessment will need to be completed before any decisions are made about developing an area.

 

The Local Plans Manager confirmed that a strategic flood risk assessment is being completed. The Consultants completing this could attend the next task force meeting to provide an update.

 

The Assistant Director for Planning and Growth confirmed that constraints on potential sites will be looked at in detail in the site assessment work.

 

Councillor Collins highlighted that the sewage system is also at capacity and this needed to be considered.

 

The Chair highlighted that it will be important for the character of the villages in Thurrock that they are not made too big as they will close their sense of Community and character.

 

The Local Plans Manager agreed that you cannot just look at the sites in isolation and they need to consider the bigger picture and the effect it will have on the area as a whole and also neighbouring areas.

 

Councillor Pearce stated that there are problems with infrastructure already as it is taking weeks to get a doctor’s appointment.

 

The Chair raised that there was no point putting in surgeries if Doctors still do not want to come to the area.

 

The Local Plans Manager agreed that new facilities would be needed to support new developments and also existing communities. The Local Plans Manager confirmed that they work with providers to better understand the issues for example they have been looking at key worker housing.

 

The Local Plans Manager clarified that they do look at how many children a scheme would generate and therefore whether there are enough school places in the area, if there aren’t enough spaces they will look at where a new school may be best placed.

 

Councillor Arnold stated that he his asked by residents whether there could be another Waste and Recycling centre as there is only one located on the west side of the borough.

 

The Local Plans Manager stated it would depend on where growth areas will be.

 

Councillor Arnold queried if there is any dialogue with neighbouring Local Authorities about developments near or on the boundary.

 

The Local Plans Manager confirmed that there are regular meetings with neighbouring Local Authorities and they make them aware of things happening on their border.

 

 

22.

Infrastructure Delivery Plan - Baseline Presentation pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The presenters were not available to attend the meeting and therefore this item has been deferred to the next meeting on the 30 January 2023.

23.

Climate Change Strategy Presentation pdf icon PDF 303 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members agreed to review the update provided in the presentation slides paperwork for this item as the presenter was not well enough to present the item. Any questions would be submitted in writing to the presenter following the meeting.

 

The Local Plans Manager advised that ARUP are completing the Climate Change Strategy before Christmas and an update will likely be provided at the next meeting in January 2023.

24.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Infrastructure Delivery Plan – Baseline Presentation will be deferred to the next meeting on 30 January 2023.

 

An update on the Climate Change Strategy by ARUP will be provided at the next meeting and also an update on the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.