Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Planning Conservation Working Group.

requested the planning division to hold regular meetings with a representative of Hinchingbrooke and Kimbolton Schools (and Abbey College, Ramsey if appropriate) with the aim of developing a good working relationship on conservation issues and planning future maintenance requirements and nominated Councillor R J West as an intermediary between the Division and each of the schools to attend (and potentially) chair those meetings;

agreed to offer specific training to town and parish councils in heritage and conservation issues to raise awareness locally on the subject and on the value of conservation character statements, buildings at risk register, etc.;

suggested that town and parish councils be encouraged to work with the District Council on heritage and conservation issues by alerting the Council of any deterioration in the condition of listed buildings and unauthorised works to listed buildings or in conservation areas in their parishes;

requested that consideration be given to regular meetings between conservation officers and parish councils with a view to refreshing the training provided;

suggested that town and parish councils be encouraged where conservation groups or civic societies currently do not exist to seek the establishment of such bodies to promote an interest in the local heritage;

  agreed that ways of improving the District Councils website be explored to provide additional information on conservation issues and procedures;

requested the Conservation Team to publicise the availability of grants from potential sources to help owners of listed buildings fund the cost of maintenance and repairs;

  requested that representations be made through the Local Government Association to alter the present arrangements for value added tax so that repairs and maintenance of listed buildings become zero rated, thereby reducing the cost of maintaining heritage assets; and

encouraged officers to use ‘plain English’ in their communications with the public to help in an understanding of complex conservation issues and explain what is required.

(Councillor P M D Godfrey, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) and Councillor R J West, a Member of the Planning Conservation Working Group, were in attendance and spoke on this Item.)

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of a study by the Panel’s Planning Conservation Working Group regarding the performance of the Council’s Planning Conservation Team.

With regard to the Panel’s recommendations, the Cabinet noted that several of the proposals have been already implemented by the Planning Policy Service.  In concurring with the Panel that the current process was working well, although some areas mostly relating to communication, pro-active support and, with the advent of the localism agenda, the potential roles that Members themselves and town and parish councils can play in mediation and alerting the District council as to what is happening in their wards and parishes could be improved, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that, because of the particular importance of the listed buildings and the practicalities of their use as educational establishments, the Planning Division be requested to hold regular meetings with a representative of Hinchingbrooke and Kimbolton Schools (and Abbey College, Ramsey if appropriate) with the aim of developing a good working relationship on conservation issues and planning future maintenance requirements and that Councillor R J West be nominated as an intermediary between the Division and each of the schools to attend (and potentially) chair those meetings;

(b)  that specific training be offered to town and parish councils in heritage and conservation issues to raise awareness locally on the subject and on the value of conservation character statements, buildings at risk register, etc.;

(c)  that town and parish councils be encouraged to work with the District Council on heritage and conservation issues by alerting the Council of any deterioration in the condition of listed buildings and unauthorised works to listed buildings or in conservation areas in their parishes;

(d)  that consideration be given to regular meetings between conservation officers and parish councils with a view to refreshing the training provided and in pursuance of recommendation (c) above;

(e)  that town and parish councils be encouraged where conservation groups or civic societies currently do not exist to seek the establishment of such bodies to promote an interest in the local heritage;

(f)  that ways of improving the District Councils website be explored to provide additional information on conservation issues and procedures;

(g)  that the Conservation Team be requested to publicise the availability of grants from potential sources to help owners of listed buildings fund the cost of maintenance and repairs;

(h)  that representations be made through the Local Government Association to alter the present arrangements for value added tax so that repairs and maintenance of listed buildings become zero rated, thereby reducing the cost of maintaining heritage assets; and

(i)  that officers be encouraged to use ‘plain English’ in their communications with the public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83

To consider the report of the Planning Conservation Working Group – to follow.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this Item.)

Further to Minute No. 10/13 and with the assistance of a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor M G Baker acquainted the Panel with the outcome of the deliberations of the Working Group which had been established to consider and evaluate the role of the Council’s Planning Conservation Team in the preservation of Huntingdonshire’s built heritage with particular reference to conservation areas and listed buildings. 

In considering the working group’s report, attention was drawn to the key issues that the Group had addressed and its recommendations.  The Panel acknowledged that planning conservation was an emotive and contentious subject, which by its nature, could generate strong feelings which could influence the views of users of the service.  The Working Group had found overall that the planning conservation process worked well in Huntingdonshire comparing favourably with other authorities and they had commended the hard work and enthusiasm of conservation officers. Nevertheless, the Working Group felt that the treatment of applications and communication between conservation officers and residents could benefit from further improvement.

As a result of the extensive consultation that had been carried out to ensure evidence based recommendations, the Working Group had recommended that the Planning Division should hold regular meetings with a representative of Kimbolton and Hinchingbrooke Schools with the aim of developing a good working relationship on conservation issues and future maintenance requirements.  The Panel was informed that as a result of the working group’s deliberations the Head of Planning Services had already instigated a system for such meetings and it was suggested by the Panel that Councillor R West be nominated as the intermediary between the Division and the schools due to his position as the Council’s heritage champion.

With regard to the finding that the Division’s performance compared favourably with other authorities, it was reported that while the supporting evidence had been anecdotal this had been obtained from a number of professional sources.

The Panel was advised that for town and parish councils while training on heritage and conservation issues could be provided, this would have to be balanced against the Council’s current financial position and the staffing resources available.

In summary the Head of Planning Services indicated that the working group’s recommendations were feasible and could be implemented if accepted by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Panel's appreciation be expressed to the Members of the Working Group and the support officers for an extensive and well balanced report; and

  (b)  that the Working Group's report and recommendations be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.