Minutes:
The Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Diane Close referred Members to the recent prominent articles and news stories relating to the remit of the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee (for copy see file of minutes). The articles included: Hitachi being impressed with the calibre of workers available in the region; the County Durham Taskforce which had said that the opening of the Hitachi development would be a catalyst for manufacturing in the region; a job boost in Consett with Surgical Dynamics creating around 40 jobs in the next few years; and the North East being reported as having the second highest tourism visitor growth in the country, noting increased visitors to attractions such as Beamish and Hamsterley Forrest.
The Chairman noted the positive stories, especially in light of the ongoing issues at Redcar in respect of the steel works.
The Chairman reminded Members that the Judicial Review concerning the Inspector’s Interim Report on the County Durham Plan (CDP) had been reported in the media and welcomed the Spatial Planning Team Leader, Regeneration and Economic Development, Michelle Robinson to give the Committee an update as regards the matter.
The Spatial Planning Team Leader thanked Members for the opportunity to provide an update and asked the Committee to recall that the Inspector’s Interim Report was received in February this year and had been very critical of the CDP’s ambition, one comment being that the CDP was “too aspirational” in respect of job creation. It was explained that the Council had asked for the debate regarding the CDP to be reopened but this request was refused by the Inspector. Subsequent to taking legal advice, the Council asked for a Judicial Review. Members noted that last week the High Court made a resolution that the Inspector’s Interim Report be quashed and accordingly, the CDP would now be withdrawn, updated in terms of evidence and then submitted back to Cabinet, going out for consultation in the New Year. It was explained that as the evidence base was as at 2013, it was good practice to update the evidence, prior to consultation early 2016. The Spatial Planning Team Leader concluded by noting that subsequent to consultation, the updated CDP would be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for their consideration.
The Chairman thanked the Spatial Planning Team Leader and noted a further update would be received at the meeting of the Committee to be held 29 October 2015.
Councillor E Adam asked as regards the timescales in terms of consultation and consideration by the Planning Inspectorate. The Spatial Planning Team Leader noted that once submitted the onus would be on the Planning Inspectorate to avoid any further delays, carry out the examination quickly and report back in order to allow the CDP to be in place as soon as possible.
Resolved:
That the verbal update by the Spatial Planning Team Leader be noted with Members receiving a further progress update at the meeting on the 29 October, 2015.