Agenda and draft minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

All Members declared that they had been lobbied by residents, Enborne Parish Council, Tilehurst Parish Council, Cold Ash Parish Council, and Thatcham Town Council on Agenda Item three – the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2023-2041. However, as this was not a disclosable pecuniary interest, other registerable interest, or non-registerable interest, they determined to remain in the meeting to debate and vote on the item.

Councillor Clive Taylor declared that he was the Chairman of Tilehurst Parish Council, and that the Council was historically, and remained, opposed to the Pincents Lane development proposed in Agenda Item three. However, as he believed that this did not prejudice or influence his judgement of the public interest, he determined to remain in the meeting to debate and vote on the item.

Councillor Tony Vickers declared that he was a representative on the North Wessex Down National Landscape Council of Partners. However, as he believed that this did not prejudice or influence his judgement of the public interest, he determined to remain in the meeting to debate and vote on the item.

Purpose: Following receipt of the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039 (as set out in Appendix D) the Council is asked to consider adoption of the West Berkshire Local Plan Review (as set out in Appendix E) and accompanying Policies Map (as set out in Appendix F).

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Tony Vickers and seconded by Councillor Denise Gaines:

“That Council agree that speaking times for this item be:

-        10 minutes for the proposer of the motion

-        5 minutes for the seconder of the motion

-        6 minutes for the Leader of the Opposition Group

-        4 minutes for the Leader of the Minority Group

-        3 minutes for all other speeches, as per the Constitution.”

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item three) concerning the Local Plan Review (the Plan) for West Berkshire.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Denise Gaines and seconded by Councillor Justin Pemberton:

“That Council:

1)    Recognises that the Council is still under the Direction set out in the letter from the Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Building Safety dated 19th December 2023 (as set out in Appendix C) that required the Council to consider adopting the LPR, including any Main Modifications recommended by the Planning Inspector deemed necessary to make the Plan sound.

2)    Acknowledges the contents of the Inspector’s Final Report (as set out in Appendix D).

3)    Adopts the West Berkshire LPR 2023-2041 (as set out in Appendix E), which incorporates the Main Modifications as set out in the Inspector’s Final Report, and other Additional (minor) Modifications (as set out in Appendix F).

4)    Subject to recommendation 2, replace the West Berkshire Core Strategy 2006-2026 Development Plan Document (adopted July 2012), the Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document (adopted May 2017), and the West Berkshire District Local Plan 1991 – 2006 (saved policies 2007 as amended in July 2012 and May 2017), with the West Berkshire LPR 2023-2041.

5)    Subject to recommendation 2, adopt the Policies Map (as set out in Appendix G) and publish them alongside the West Berkshire LPR 2023-2041.

6)    Subject to recommendation 2, accept the content of the Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA) Report (as set out in Appendix H) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA): Addendum of Proposed Modifications (as set out in Appendix I) and publish them in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004.

7)    Subject to recommendation 2, give delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing to agree any further Additional (minor) Modifications to the LPR and updates to its accompanying Policies Map, as appropriate, before publication.”

Councillor Gaines introduced the report and emphasised that the Administration did not consider this to be their Local Plan, as it was submitted before the current Administration took control of the Council. She also noted the speed at which the Plan was submitted to the Regulation 19 stage by the previous Conservative led Administration, just before the local elections in 2023. At that election, the Liberal Democrats campaigned on fixing the Plan and had done everything possible to do so – including attempting to withdraw it and stop its examination. However, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.