Minutes:
The Full Council considered report PES/367of the Head of Economy and Planning which sought Full Council approval of the submission of the draft Local Plan for a further publication consultation, and followed by the submission of draft Local Plan for Submission to the Secretary of State for Examination by an independent Planning Inspector, (subject to minor amendments deemed necessary following consultation for the purposes of clarity) and the approval of the publication and submission of the supporting documents for the Local Plan. The item had been previously considered at the Cabinet on 25 November 2020.
Councillor P Smith introduced the recommendation to the Full Council noting that it was a legal requirement for a Council to have a Local Plan in place which needed to regularly reviewed. The current Local Plan had been approved by Full Council in December 2015. It was noted that the development of the proposed Local Plan had occurred in a cross-party manner to ensure that the proposals were in the best interest of the borough and its residents. Officers were thanked for their hard work on producing the proposed Local Plan. Councillors Lamb and P Smith jointly moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Purdy, in so doing he commented his support for the proposal.
Councillor Burrett moved and presented the Pound Hill North and Forge Wood Councillors Amendment, namely:
That the Local Plan be agreed as proposed but with all reference to the Gatwick Green employment site allocation having been removed.
The amendment was seconded and supported by Councillor McCarthy.
A single debate occurred on both the recommendation and the proposed amendment. Councillors Crow, Lanzer, B Burgess, Jaggard and Guidera all spoke during the debate.
Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process on the amendment. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote. However the Conservative Group confirmed that there would be no Group block vote on the amendment and as such Conservative Councillors would be voting individually.
For the amendment: Councillors Ascough, T Belben, Burrett, Eade, Jaggard, and McCarthy (6)
Against the amendment: Labour block vote of 14 votes and Councillors
R Burgess, Crow, Guidera, Lanzer, Millar-Smith, Mwagale, Peck, Pendlington and Purdy (23)
Abstentions: Councillors A Belben, B Burgess, and Sudan. (3)
The Mayor declared that the proposed amendment had fallen – votes in favour 6, and votes against 23 with 3 abstentions.
Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process on the recommendation 2. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote. However the Conservative Group confirmed that there would be no Group block vote on recommendation 2 and as such Conservative Councillors would be voting individually.
For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 14 votes, and Councillors
A Belben, T Belben, R Burgess, Crow, Guidera, Jaggard, Lanzer, Millar-Smith, Mwagale, Peck, Pendlington, Purdy and Sudan (27)
Against the recommendation: None (0)
Abstentions: Councillors Ascough, B Burgess, Burrett, Eade, and McCarthy (5)
The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 27, and votes against 0 with 5 abstentions.
RESOLVED
That Full Council:
a) Approves the submission draft Local Plan and Local Plan Map for a further Publication consultation (a statutory six-week period of public consultation).
b) Approves the submission draft Local Plan for Submission to the Secretary of State for Examination by an independent Planning Inspector, subject to amendments deemed necessary following consultation and updated evidence for the purposes of clarity.
c) Notes that the final Local Plan will be brought back to Full Council following its independent examination for adoption.
d) Approves the Local Plan Five Year Policy Assessment to confirm that each adopted Local Plan Policy retains full weight for Development Management decisions.