Agenda and minutes

Announcement on procedural matters.

The chairman opened the meeting and outlined procedural matters of the meeting.

The receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Lewis, Councillor Hamilton was not present.

To receive any declarations of interest by members of the Council in items on the agenda. For any advice on declarations of interest, please contact the Monitoring Officer before the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To note any members of the Council wishing to speak, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 18, and which items they wish to speak on.

There were no visiting Members registered to speak.

To approve the minutes of a previous meeting as a correct record. The only issue relating to the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

Members had the opportunity to review the minutes.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 11 November 2019 be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Lidstone queried why Revised JTB agreement was not on the Agenda for consideration at this meeting.

RESOLVED – Subject to clarification on the above query, that the Forward Plan as at 19 December be noted.

Mr David Marlow, Local Plan Project Co-ordinator presented his report.

·         Members took account of the report and raised some questions and issues within their discussion, these included:

·         The strength of the local connection which people on the register would need and how that would be determined through a local connection test which would be similar to that of affordable housing test.

·         Whether conditions could be attached to stop residents buying a property and selling it on shortly within a short time.

·         The purpose of the register being to advise the Council of the scale of need and to advise people that plots are becoming available.

·         Ways in which an accurate record can be kept of those on the register and to remove anyone that we receive no update from upon review.

·         In reference to comments by Members at the Planning Policy Working Group regarding the proposed employment and important service criteria of the proposed local connection test, it was advised that these would be addressed through appropriate clarifications within the document

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Advisory Board support the recommendations in the report.

To consider any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business for consideration.

To note that the date of the next scheduled meeting is Monday 17 February 2020, at 6.30pm in Committee Room A, Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

RESOLVED – That the next meeting take place on Monday 17 February 2020, at 6.30pm.