Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

All Panel members were in attendance.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 23^rd September 2024.

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd September 2024, be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Panel.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were asked.

To update members on the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system which took place between July – September 2024 and to identify potential implications for the Kirklees Local Plan update.

Contact: Johanna Scrutton Group Leader Planning Policy and Strategy.  Tel: 01484 221000

Johanna Scrutton, Group Leader Planning Policy and Strategy advised the Panel that consultation on the reforms came out between July to September 2024, and there were 106 questions across the topics within the current National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  The Panel was then presented with highlights on some of the key implications for the Local Plan.

In summary, the Panel was informed that the government has maintained its focus on having a Local Plan, which must be produced at pace, and must be kept up to date.  For local authorities in the same position as Kirklees, there is a December 2026, submission requirement.  That is in advance of Kirklees’s published local plan development time to scale, which was already ambitious for March 2027.

The Panel was informed that a new standard housing method has been introduced, which will increase local housing figures, and if the standard method is introduced within the National Planning Policy, it will increase the figures by thirty percent. There will be a greater focus proposed on strategic planning for those who are part of the core strategy. Originally, similar to the regional spatial strategy, there will be a body for West Yorkshire guiding strategic decisions and local authorities.

When requirements are being looked at for land, there is also a need to look at the land take required to deliver economic growth and the numbers will depend on local ambitions. The reforms also introduce Brownfield First and a new land allocation called Grey Belt.

The government’s objectives for the planning reforms which is included in their consultation document, is all about delivering specifically 1.5 million homes over the next five years.  There is also a focus on supporting the economy, and within that getting high quality places and affordable homes. The key message is getting Britain building again. There is also a big focus on climate change renewable energy sources and clean energy.

The Panel was informed that in terms of setting the scene on how the government plans to achieve these objectives, the initial proposals are that:

-     there will be a revised NPPF in December 2024, or early next year.

-     Some of the reforms reversed the changes that were introduced in 2023, and some are additional changes.

-     this is the first step in a number of consultations.

-     Following the finalised NPPF there is an intention to produce the planning and infrastructure bill, and then the publication and consultation on national development management policies. That will be a suite of national policies that all local authorities will be required to follow.

-     There have also been some indications that they may revise the planning policy for waste and for travellers’ site.

-     While there is an indication of some of the jigsaw puzzle pieces the complete picture has not yet been revealed, and therefore there will be an expectation to report back to the panel.

The Panel was informed that there are transitional arrangements for other authorities based on where they are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.