Agenda item

Members’ views are sought on the attached letter which the Chairman would like to send to Neil Parish MP regarding the Axminster Urban Extension Masterplan and HIF monies for the Relief Road.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management updated Members on the progress made since the last Strategic Planning Committee on 9 December 2019 and sought Members views on the wording of the draft letter to Neil Parish MP to seek assistance to progress matters and to secure money in an acceptable way from Homes England.

Ward Members discussed the following:

·         Councillor Hall said it was imperative to seek assistance from the local MP for the delivery of the relief road and sought Members support for the letter.  He said he wanted Axminster to become a resilient town in the future and raised concerns for the need for extra employment land to bring much needed jobs to the area and the climate declaration. 

·         Councillor Jackson disagreed with the wording and content of the letter raising concerns with the land valuations and questioned whether Members had seen the Land Valuations and the Viability Assessments highlighting that Members should not vote without knowing all the information.  Cllr Jackson raised concerns about discrepancies between the original valuation and the independent valuation.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that the fundamental issue with the HIF fund was the disagreement with values of the land.  He explained that this needed to be addressed in the letter to explain that Homes England believed the HIF money could be repaid by paying a lower value for the land, however the Council’s independent valuation showed that their valuation was wrong. The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development said Members were welcome to view the valuations but did not see a need as it was the principle that was important. 

·         Councillor Moulding advised the delivery of the Axminster Masterplan and relief road was essential for the future of Axminster and essential for East Devon District Council as the five year land supply could be compromised and supported the draft letter to Neil Parish MP.

Points raised during discussion included:

·         General support was shown to send the letter to Neil Parish MP to get his support.

·         Clarification sought on who authorised the independent valuation to be done.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised it had been done under officer’s delegated powers.

·         Concerns raised about the valuation and content of the letter and if it had been done by officers how can an agreement be reached by Members if they had not seen the reports.  In response the Chief Executive advised officers were entrusted to take the necessary steps to implement the Masterplan and to deliver the relief road.

·         Clarification sought on who would be invited to attend a meeting with Neil Parish MP.  In response the Chief Executive suggested the Chairman of the Committee, the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management and the three Ward Members.

·         Concerns raised that the information contained in the letter was inaccurate.

·         The need to recommend to go to Part B or defer the decision until the information on the viability and land value had been seen by Members.

·         Councillor Arnott advised that if the letter was sent today he would personally send a letter to Neil Parish MP reflecting what had been discussed today and advised it would be published.

Councillor Hayward requested a recorded vote.  The Chairman put to Members that a recorded vote take place. This was agreed by a show of hands.

The Chief Executive read out the names of all councillors present to record who voted for or against the motion, or abstained from voting.

The Councillors against the motion comprised; Paul Hayward, Geoff Pratt, Tony McCollum, Dan Ledger.

The Councillors in support of the motion comprised; Sam Hawkins, Fabian King, Mike Allen, Olly Davey, Andrew Moulding, Mike Howe, Philip Skinner, Susie Bond.

There was two councillor abstaining from the vote, Eleanor Rylance and Nick Hookway.

The Chairman stated the outcome of the recorded vote as being 8 in favour, 4 against and 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED:

That the draft letter to be sent to Neil Parish MP be agreed.