Agenda item

This report advises of discussions officers have been having with representatives of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) about securing financial contributions from development to address the impacts of developments on the services provided by the trust.

The Chair welcomed David Tarbet, Business Development Director, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust who was available to answer any specific specialist questions raised by Members.

The report presented by the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management updated Members about securing financial contributions from large scale residential development to address the impact of those developments on health care services in the area.  He referred to a land swap application at Exeter Science Park in 2019 which, although there was not sufficient evidence to justify seeking a contribution at that time, had set the path for working with the Trust to develop a robust methodology to enable funding to be collected from future major residential developments.

The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred to the Wolborough Barton case decision on page 29 where the Secretary of State felt that contributions towards health care could only be justified where developments were not planned for at the stage of infrastructure developments.  He also referred to the Herefordshire case which slightly contradicted the Secretary of States previous decision and broadened the scope where contributions could be sought.

As a result of a clear evidence base for seeking contributions and a clear methodology for calculating those contributions based on activity data that the Trust hold, the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised there was now a robust calculator and referred Members to the calculation of contributions as detailed in the report.

He drew Members’ attention to the recommendations requesting Members’ to note the discussions that had taken place between officers and Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and agree the proposed approach.

Committee Member discussions covered:

·         Support was shown for the report.

·         Clarification sought on whether funding was retrospective to the time of year a person moved in and whether there was a lag between the time and numbers. It was suggested there was a need to lobby Central Government.   In response, the Business Development Director advised that there was a shortfall of a period of 12 – 18 months from when a person moves into the healthcare area and takes occupation of a property.  He referred to lobbying and advised that all NHS Trusts lobby to get a proper fair settlement

·         Support was shown for figure 74 where the diagram shows where residents had moved from.

·         The need for the Healthcare Service to be properly funded, particularly in an area with a rising average age.

·         The need for a mandatory check list.

Councillor Ben Ingham supported the recommendations except for two words in the second recommendation.  He referred to the wording in recommendation 2 and suggested that the words ‘(where requested)’ be deleted as the trust should not have to request the funding, it should be automatic.  In response the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that it was necessary for the trust to make a submission and request the contributions because their contributions would be calculated on a case by case basis and needed to be justified in each case.  The Business Development Director confirmed that it was the trust’s intention to submit every time there was a development over ten dwellings.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Ingham and seconded by Councillor Bailey to read:

‘Agree that health care contributions calculated based on the methodology set out in this report be sought from major new housing developments subject to viability testing where relevant.’

During a debate on the amendment, comments included the following:

·         Planning applications should not be put on hold while waiting for a response from the trust.

·         Support was shown for the recommendation as written.

·         Support was shown for the consideration of supplementing the health service on the basis of infrastructure requirements.

·         Support was shown to see East Devon District Council and NHS Trust working together.

·         Cannot support the amendment to change the wording.

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Blakey and seconded by Councillor Skinner:

‘Agree that health care contributions calculated based on the methodology set out in this report be sought (where requested) from major new housing developments subject to viability testing where relevant.

The Chair requested a vote on the amended motion and was carried with five votes in support, 1 vote against and three abstentions.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the discussions that have taken place between officers and the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust with regards to developer contributions to health care services be noted.

2.      That health care contributions calculated based on the methodology set out in this report be sought (where requested) from major new housing developments subject to viability testing where relevant be agreed.