Agenda item

The Director of Place presented the Place Directorate Plan 2024 – 2028.   Formed relatively recently, the Directorate brings together four key service areas which work together to deliver the Council Plan.  The Director highlighted key areas for service delivery moving forward.

The Assistant Director Countryside & Leisure introduced key areas of work for the ecology, trees and countryside teams and emphasised the need for partnership working with other organisations.  The Assistant Director also highlighted key priorities for culture service delivery.

The Assistant Director Planning & Development Management introduced key projects including developing a talent management strategy and greater engagement with town and parish councils. Delivery of services and infrastructure at Cranbrook remained a priority.

The Assistant Director Place & Assets outlined key priorities for the service area: establishing an assertive delivery model for the second new town; placemaking for towns; developing and implementing a new asset management plan.

Questions, clarification and responses included the following:

·        Concern was expressed regarding the effectiveness of planning enforcement.  Scrutiny of this area would be discussed to determine the most appropriate way of addressing the concerns.  The review of systems and processes of planning enforcement was included in the service plan for the coming year.

·        Delivery of the Tourism Strategy continues to be a key piece of work for the service.

·        A rolling programme of replacement and renewal of children’s play parks is included in the investment plan for the year.

·        Concern was expressed regarding the additional capacity requirements for the District Heating Network.  It was noted that the District Heating Stakeholder Forum had been established previously to address such concerns.  The project design had allowed for scaling up of capacity to deal with future expansion and development.

·        Concerns regarding the safeguarding of ancient woodland would be addressed by the Strategic Planning Committee as part of its consideration of the new Local Plan.

·        The Regulation 19 version of the new Local Plan has to include the Master Plan for the proposed new community and it was confirmed that the timeframe for the Master Plan, as stated in the Directorate Plan, would be met.

·        Concern was expressed regarding the need for a step change in provision of planning enforcement, particularly given the proposed development of the second new town.  It was noted that a step change would only be achieved through increasing staff capacity, which may not be a realistic option, however, the planned review of enforcement systems and processes would provide a good starting point in delivering a better service.

·        Regarding potential changes to local government structures, it was noted that there is a high level of complexity and ambiguity currently.  It was hoped that the imminent devolution white paper would provide some clarity.  It was crucial for the Council to work collaboratively with its peers and partners going forward.

·        With regard to the delivery of the proposed second new community, it was noted that the delivery plan would be bold, having learnt lessons from the delivery of Cranbrook.

The Chair thanked the Director and his team for attending and for their excellent and comprehensive Directorate Plan.