Agenda and draft minutes

07 December 2023

It was moved by Councillor Anthony Bates, Seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community and Environment Committee held on 7 December 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To receive the minutes of the following Sub-Committee meetings:

-       Local Plan Sub-Committee – 30 November 2023

-       Local Plan Sub-Committee – 20 December 2023

-       Local Plan Sub-Committee – 01 February 2024

It was moved by Councillor Peter Slack, seconded by Councillor Gareth Gee and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the minutes of the following Sub-Committee meetings be received:

-        Local Plan Sub-Committee – 30 November 2023

-        Local Plan Sub-Committee – 20 December 2023

-        Local Plan Sub-Committee – 01 February 2024

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

There was no public participation.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

Item 9 – Planning Appeal: Leys Farm, Wyaston Road, Ashbourne

Councillor Peter Dobbs declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 9 as being named as the Councillor fronting the Council’s case.

Item 10 – UK Shared Prosperity Fund / Rural England Prosperity Fund: Town Centre Improvements Grants for Approval

Councillor Martin Burfoot declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 10 due to being a member of Matlock Community Vision.

Councillor Steve Wain declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 10 due to being a member of Matlock Town Council.

Councillor Marilyn Franks declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 10 due to being a member of Matlock Town Council

Item 11 – Capital Bid for Inclusion into the Capital Programme 2024-25

Councillor Steve Wain declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 11 due to being a member of Matlock Town Council.

Councillor Marilyn Franks declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 11 due to being a member of Matlock Town Council.

To answer questions from Members who have given the appropriate notice.

None.

This report provides a further update in relation to the Ashbourne Air Quality Management Area Action Plan in respect of the questions raised at the meeting of the Community and Environment Committee held on 7 December 2023 and a warning letter received from DEFRA in respect of the late submission of the Action Plan.

The Director of Regulatory Services introduced a report providing Members with an update in relation to the Ashbourne Air Quality Management Area Action Plan in respect of the questions raised at the meeting of the Community and Environment Committee held on 7 December 2023 and a warning letter received from DEFRA in respect of the late submission of the Action Plan.

He explained a response was now needed to respond to DEFRA’s warning letter which had been triggered by the absence of a valid AQAP and because a revised submission date for the AQAP had not been agreed with DEFRA.  Members were asked to consider the situation and to determine how they wish officers to respond to the DEFRA warning letter noting DEFRA’s current deadline of 8 March 2024 for the submission of the AQAP.

The Environmental Health Manager Informed Members a response had been received from Derbyshire County Council regarding the two questions raised by the Community and Environment Committee at the December meeting a copy of which had been circulated to Members.

Neill Bennett, DCC Assistant Director, Highways Commissioning informed Members that Derbyshire Highways alongside PLACE colleagues are committed to supporting the AQAP in collaboration with DDDC colleagues and would provide a Highways interventions and position summary to Members after the meeting.  To optimise interventions to provide the best outcomes for Ashbourne it is essential that all activities are evidence led, are subject to review and updated as work packages are developed and are implemented.  Clearly, this means that whilst the areas identified for action were based on a joint assessment and agreement at the time, as knowledge and technologies develop, and the wider series of interventions via BSIP, Levelling Up, DEFRA and Highways capital funded projects are developed and implemented, the action plan will have to be reviewed.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, Seconded by Councillor Steve Wain and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

1.     That the update in relation to the 2 questions for Derbyshire County Council raised by the December meeting of this Committee are noted.

2.     To engage with DEFRA to explain the reasons why the submission of the AQAP has been delayed and to seek to agree a new date for the submission of the AQAP.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

6.47 Neill Bennett, DCC Assistant Director, Highways Commissioning left the meeting.

The report updates Members on progress made by the four Derbyshire Dales Corporate Plan Working Groups, established by Council on 14 December 2023, which are under the remit of this committee.

The Director of Regeneration and Policy introduced a report updating Members on progress made by the four Derbyshire Dales Corporate Plan Working Groups, established by Council on 14 December 2023, which are under the remit of this committee.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, Seconded by Councillor Robert Archer and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

The report and appendices were noted.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

6.51 pm Meeting adjourned.

7.05 pm Meeting reconvened.

This report seeks use of the General Reserve for fees in connection with defending an appeal at Inquiry relating to an application recommended for approval which was refused by Planning Committee.  It sets out options for defending the appeal.  The report is being considered by the Community and Environment Committee, with the agreement of the Chair, due to the urgency to prepare for a Public Inquiry within the timescales required by the Planning Inspectorate.

7.05 pm Councillor Dobbs left the meeting due to having a non-pecuniary interest.

The Director of Regeneration and Policy introduced a report seeking use of the General Reserve for fees in connection with defending an appeal at a Planning Inquiry relating to an application recommended for approval which was refused by the Planning Committee.

It was moved by Councillor Robert Archer, Seconded by Councillor Anthony Bates and

RESOLVED

1.               That an Urgent Decision is sought to approve a supplementary revenue budget in 2023/24 for additional expenditure of up to £100,000 in respect of a planning appeal, to be financed from the General Reserve.

2.               That the approach to defending the appeal as set out in section 3 of the report is agreed.

Voting

11 For

  1 Against

  0 Abstained

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

7.08 pm Councillor Peter Dobbs rejoined the meeting.

The report is to consider the decision of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Board in relation to Improvements to Town Centres, in order to meet the spend and output requirements before 31st March 2025.  Funding has been provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).  Following the Council meeting in December 2023, a call for projects was issued.  The UKSPF Board has been recommended to approve the revised funding package for the Matlock Western Gateway (Bakewell Road Phase 1 scheme) and two new projects for funding and delivery in 2024/25.

The Economic Development Manager introduced a report to consider the decision of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Board in relation to Improvements to Town Centres, to meet the spend and output requirements before 31^st March 2025.  Funding has been provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).  Following the Council meeting in December 2023, a call for projects was issued. 

Members were informed that the UKSPF Partnership Board had considered full, detailed appraisals of the following projects and had approved unanimously the capital grants, figures subject to final costings and subject to match funding where indicated:

It was moved by Councillor Steve Wain, Seconded by Councillor Peter Slack and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That in accordance with the decisions of the UKSPF Partnership Board, capital allocations are approved as follows:

·       Matlock Western Gateway Phase 1 - £268,000

·       Town Centre Improvement Fund: Matlock: Hall Leys Park Project - £450,737

·        Town Centre Improvement Fund: Wirksworth: The Meadows Rejuvenation Project – £150,000

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report seeks the Committee’s approval for one new bid for a capital project to be referred to Council for inclusion in the District Council’s Capital Programme 2024/25.

The Neighbourhoods Manager introduced the report seeking Members approval for one new bid (comprising of four projects) for a capital project to be referred to Council on 4^th April 2024 for inclusion in the District Council’s Capital Programme 2024/25.  As required by financial regulations, a full business case has been completed for each proposed capital project.  A grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund covers approximately 61% of the estimated project cost with the other 39% to be match funded.

The Council are in a position to carry out several significant improvements in Hall Leys Park, Matlock as detailed below. A sizable funding contribution of up to £450,737 is available from UKSPF towards these projects, requiring match funding of £279,263 from the Council’s capital resources:

·       Replace the Skatepark,

·       Replace the paddling pool with a Splash Pad reducing repair and maintenance costs,

·       Refurbish the pathways with resin bonded surface and

·       Working with Derbyshire County Council introduce a multi-user trail to connect section of the White Peak Loop.

It was moved by Councillor Steve Wain, Seconded by Councillor Simon Ripton and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That £279,263 of match funding for the Hall Leys Park Improvement Capital Bid for year 2024/25, summarised in the report, be approved by this Committee, and recommended to Council for inclusion in the capital programme.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.