Agenda and minutes

At the start of the meeting, the Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services advised that this meeting was being hosted remotely using conferencing software which allowed Members, Officers and public attendance whilst being able to protect themselves and others, whilst observing the Government's lockdown measures.

The Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services also stated that all votes during this meeting would be taken through an informal recorded vote, though would not be noted as such in the minutes.

A Roll Call of all those Members in attendance remotely was then taken.

No apologies for absence were received at this meeting.

RECOMMENDATION that the public minutes E/128/03/21 to E/139/03/21of the meeting of the Executive held on 16 March 2021 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings (copies previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the E/128/03/21 to E/139/03/21 of the meeting of the Executive held on 16 March 2021 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings.

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interests, both disclosable pecuniary and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

Councillor Tonkin declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 11(Penrith Tennis Club Move to Penrith Castle Park) in that he was a patron of the LTA who would be assisting the move.

To receive questions and representations from the public under Rules 3 and 4 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution

No questions or representations from the public had been received under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution.

To receive questions and representations from Members under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution

No questions or representations from Members had been received under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution.

To consider the attached report PP4/21 of the Assistant Director Development, which is attached, and which:

1.            seeks Executive approval to undertake a partial review of the Local Plan in light of potential emerging changes to legislation related to the production of Local Plans as set out in the Government’s White Paper, Planning for the Future. The recommended approach of a partial review will have a more specific focus than a full review of the Local Plan to introduce relevant policies relating to climate change and design that will enable the adoption of a Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which will also consider appropriate local build standards; and

2.            seeks to provide an approach on the immediate work for the full review of the Local Plan in light of the potential Local Government Re-organisation (LGR) in Cumbria with a specific focus on a method for undertaking a Settlement Study.

RECOMMENDATIONS that Executive:

1.            agree to commence a partial review of the Eden Local Plan (2014 – 2032) to introduce policies to enable the preparation and adoption of a Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in line with this report;

2.            prioritise the preparation of a Settlement Study as part of the full review of the Eden Local Plan (2014-2032) and engage with local Community organisations to assist with undertaking the study and with community engagement activities which will be key to the success of the Settlement Study being completed;

3.            agree to the revision of the timetable for the preparation of the full review of the Local Plan (2014 – 2032) to manage its preparation in line with this Report;

4.            delegate authority to the Assistant Director Planning and Economic Development to approve a revised Local Development Scheme, (LDS), in consultation with the Leader; and

5.            agree that a report setting out the financial implications of recommendations one to four of the report will be brought before Members at a future date for consideration.

Members considered the Assistant Director of Development’s report PP4/21 which sought approval to undertake a partial review of the Local Plan in the light of potential emerging changes to legislation relating to the production of Local Plans as set out in the Government’s White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’. The recommended approach of a partial review would have a more specific focus than a full review of the Local Plan to introduce relevant policies relating to climate change and design that would enable the adoption of a Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which would also consider appropriate local building standards.  In addition, the report sought to provide an approach to the immediate work for the full review of the Local Plan in light of the potential Local Government Re-organisation (LGR) in Cumbria with a specific focus on a method for undertaking a Settlement Study.

The Leader of the Council thanked all those involved for their hard work and ingenuity. 

Proposed by Councillor Taylor

Seconded by Councillor Rudhall

and RESOLVED that:

1.        a partial review of the Eden Local Plan (2014 – 2032) be commenced to introduce policies to enable the preparation and adoption of a Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in line with this Report;

2.        a Settlement Study be prioritised as part of the full review of the Eden Local Plan (2014-2032) along with engagement of local Community organisations to assist with undertaking the study and with community engagement activities which will be key to the success of the Settlement Study being completed;

3.        the revision of the timetable for the preparation of the full review of the Local Plan (2014 – 2032) to manage its preparation in line with this Report, be agreed;

4.        authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Planning and Economic Development to approve a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS), in consultation with the Leader; and

5.        a report setting out the financial implications of recommendations one to four of the report will be brought before Members at a future date for consideration.

To consider report PP10/21 of the Assistant Director Communities, which is attached, and which seeks approval for the award from the Eden Community Fund of grants to the ten projects set out in Appendix A.

RECOMMENDATION that a grant from the Eden District Council Community Fund is agreed for each of the ten projects set out in Appendix A, to a total of £46,720.00.

The Executive considered the Assistant Director of Communities’ report PP10/21, which sought approval for the award from Eden District Council Community Fund of grants to ten projects.

Proposed by Councillor Sharp
Seconded by Councillor Rudhall

and RESOLVED that a grant from the Eden District Council Community Fund be agreed for each of the ten projects set out in Appendix A to report PP10/21, to a total of £46,720.00.

To consider report G10/21 of the Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services, which is attached, and considers the nomination of New Crown Inn, Bolton, as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

RECOMMENDATION that the nomination of New Crown Inn, Bolton, as an asset of community value be accepted.

Members considered the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services’ report G10/21 which recommended the nomination of the New Crown Inn, Bolton as an asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011. 

Proposed by Councillor Greenwood

Seconded by Councillor Rudhall

And RESOLVED that the nomination of New Crown Inn, Bolton as an asset of community value be accepted.

To consider report G12/21 of the Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services, which is attached, and considers the nomination of Robinson School (Museum and Tourist Information Centre), as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

RECOMMENDATION that the nomination of Robinson School, Penrith, as an asset of community value be accepted.

Members considered report G12/21 of the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services which recommended the nomination of Robinson School (Museum and Tourist Information Centre), Penrith as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

Proposed by Councillor Greenwood

Seconded by Councillor Taylor

and RESOLVED that the nomination of Robinson School, Penrith as an

asset of community value be accepted.

To consider report PP13/21 from the Assistant Director Communities, which is attached, and which presents the Eden Housing Strategy 2021 – 2026 (the ‘Housing Strategy) for consideration and seeks the approval for a report to be submitted to Council seeking approval for the Eden Housing Strategy 2021 – 2026.

RECOMMENDATION that the Housing Strategy be progressed to Full Council for adoption.

Members considered the Assistant Director of Communities’ report PP13/21 which considered the Eden Housing Strategy for 2021-26 and sought approval for a report to be submitted to Council in order to approve it. 

Proposed by Councillor Derbyshire
Seconded by Councillor Sharp

and RESOLVED that the Housing Strategy be progressed to Full Council for adoption. 

To consider report PP12/21 of the Assistant Director Community Services, which is attached, and which seeks to facilitate the move of Penrith Tennis Club to the Penrith Castle Park.

RECOMMENDATIONS that Executive approve:

1.            the principle that Penrith Tennis Club move to the Castle Park on the basis of a 21 year tenure and that a lease between the Council and the club is developed on that basis;

2.            that Penrith Tennis Club is provided with a letter confirming this approval in principal to support their bids for funding;

3.            that officers continue to work with Penrith Tennis Club to develop a plan to improve facilities at Castle Park; and

4.            that a report setting out the Council’s financial contribution to the improvement plan is presented is subsequently brought to Executive.

Members considered the Assistant Director of Community Services’ report PP12/21, which provided information on facilitating the move of Penrith Tennis Club to the Penrith Castle Park. 

In response to a question, Councillor Sharp conformed that the facilities would be open to the public who would be able to book online, thereby increasing the accessibility of tennis as a whole for the local community. 

Proposed by Councillor Sharp

Seconded by Councillor Robinson

and RESOLVED that the following be approved:

1.       the principle that Penrith Tennis Club moves to the Castle Park on the basis of a 21 year tenure and a lease between the Council and the Club be developed on that basis;

2.       that Penrith Tennis Club be provided with a letter confirming this approval in principle to support its bids for funding;

3.       that officers continue to work with Penrith Tennis Club to develop a plan to improve facilities at Castle Park; and

4.       the Executive subsequently considers a report setting out the Council’s financial contribution to the improvement plan.

There were no urgent items of business. 

To confirm the date of the next scheduled meeting as 18 May 2021.

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Executive would be held at 6.00 pm on Tuesday 18 May 2021.