10 October 2020
As you will be aware, the Government is proposing massive changes to the planning system – essentially a new system which was described by a Conservative councillor at the Council meeting we had about it as a ‘Developer’s Charter’
Under these proposals there would be a huge increase in building work that does not need planning permission and the whole system would be shifted to a much more centralised process. The Green Party’s response to the consultation, which Roisin circulated, says ‘The White Paper is part of a centralising approach which reduces the power of local government, undermines democracy and which fails to recognise the importance of local communities and local areas which should be at the heart of effective placemaking.’ In particular, it seems that the status of Local Plans is downgraded. The Council’s response includes this statement ‘ due to the expansion of permitted development rights there is very little a Neighbourhood Plan could now control as effectively there is very little left to control within the environment.’ Interestingly, at the Council meeting, both Cllr Winnington and Cllr Sutherland mentioned Global warming and environment in their comments
The Council’s analysis of the white paper and its response can be seen in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting which is taking place this evening. You can view it on the Council website.
Following the consultation early in the year, the Council has published a proposed strategy setting out how it will reduce its carbon footprint and how it will encourage everyone in the Borough to do the same. I suggest we have a special meeting to consider that proposed plan It can be seen on the same agenda as described above.
I have asked to see the responses to the consultation.
Four of the nine empty houses were, several weeks ago, put out for auction by Butters John B. The auction was on Monday evening. However, shortly before the auction, 3 of the houses were withdrawn from the sale, leaving just 1 which was sold. You may, like me, wonder what is going on.
There is an online petition about the number of heavy lorries using Doxey to either take material from or to the motorway. Damage has been caused to the road and to neighbouring properties.
I was contacted by a parent who was concerned that there was no bus which would enable her child to get to school on time, the first being the 8.30am and school starts at that time.
I spoke to the manager of the bus company who explained that he had arranged with the County Council to run a bus which would pick up in Doxey and drop the children off at school in time but the Government guidance which came out about a week before schools started have prevented this happening. It now seems that not only can they not get to school on time using public transport but the headteacher of King Edwards School is having to accompany children to the bus stop on Newport Road after school rather than the buses picking up outside the school.
I have been contacted by residents who are not happy with the level of maintenance being carried out of the landscaped areas. They are having to pay over £100 a year ( as much as the Borough Council tax on a Band A property) and seeing little or nothing for it. I will be following this up with the contractors
Tony
Cllr Tony Pearce
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