Issue - meetings

Members considered recommendations arising from the meeting of the Executive Committee held on Tuesday 15^th October 2024.

Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy

Members noted that the strategy had been subject to pre-scrutiny at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 14^th October 2024.  There had been general support for the strategy at both this meeting and at the meeting of the Executive Committee.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Monica Stringfellow and seconded by Councillor Jen Snape.

Redditch Borough Council Response to Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and Other Changes to the Planning System

Members discussed the Council’s response to the Government consultation in respect of proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework.  It was noted that the consultation process and response had been discussed in detail at meetings of the Planning Advisory Panel (PAP) and all Members had had an opportunity to contribute to this debate.

The consultation process was discussed and some Members raised concerns about the amount of time that had been made available to Councils to respond to the Government in this process.  Reference was made to the importance of the green belt to the Borough and Members commented that it was important to preserve this as much as possible moving forward.  However, it was also noted that a significant proportion of land in the country remained agricultural land which was not due to be developed for housing.  There was also the potential for housing development to have a positive impact on the local economy.

During consideration of this item, Members also commented on the need for more housing, particularly social and affordable housing, in the country.  It was noted that unfortunately, there were properties in the country that were in a poor state of disrepair and the conditions in these properties could impact on people’s health and wellbeing.  New properties, built to meet higher building standards than in the past and to a standard that could be rated as Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above would result in both health benefits and financial benefits to residents in a cost of living crisis.  The suggestion was made that any houses that were developed in Redditch needed to take into account carbon reduction measures and should ideally be built on brownfield sites, wherever possible.

Consideration was given to the debate in respect of this matter that had occurred at the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 15^th October 2024.  Members commented that it had been highlighted at this point that Officers had already submitted a response to the Government by this stage as the Government’s deadline for responses had already passed prior to the date of the Executive Committee meeting.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Joe Baker and seconded by Councillor Sharon Harvey.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 15th October 2024 be received and all recommendations adopted.