Minute of Meeting of Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee of 1 November 2023 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 7 February 2024
Back to Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee — 7 February 2024 and its agenda
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ENVIRONMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday 1 November 2023 at 9.30am. Present: Bailies A Bailey, C McLaren and M Williamson; Councillors K Anderson, B Brawn (substituting for Councillor N Khogali), S Carr, J Duff, A Forbes, K Harvey, A Parrott, W Robertson, F Smith, C Stewart, R Watters and J Welch. In Attendance: B Renton, Executive Director (Communities), D Littlejohn, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (up to Item 9); A Finlayson, K Walker, B Murray (up to Item 8), M Butterworth, and B Wilson, D Stubbs, Stuart D’All (up to Item 9) (all Communities); F Robertson, Head of Culture and Communities Services; A Day, S Durning, D Williams, S Hendry, A Brown and M Pasternak (all Corporate & Democratic Services). Apology for Absence: Councillor N Khogali. Councillor A Parrott, Convener, Presiding. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Bailie M Williamson welcomed everyone to the meeting. An apology for absence and a substitution was noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST In terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, Councillor J Duff declared a non-financial interest in item 10. 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF 20 SEPTEMBER 2023 The minute of the meeting of the Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee of 20 September 2023 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS STATEMENT Resolved: The Outstanding Business Statement was noted, and it was agreed to remove the completed actions.
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5. PERTH AND KINROSS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LDP3) DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME There was submitted a report by Head of Planning & Development (23/288) seeking approval for the update of the statutory Development Plan Scheme (DPS) relating to the preparation of the next Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan (LDP3). Resolved: (i) The proposed Perth and Kinross Council Development Plan Scheme and authority to the Executive Director (Communities) to submit the Scheme to the Scottish Ministers, be approved. (ii) The Head of Planning and Development be remitted to submit an annual progress report to the Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee detailing any changes to the Development Plan Scheme. 6. SHORT-TERM LET NON-STATUTORY PLANNING GUIDANCE There was submitted a report by Head of Planning & Development (23/289) seeking approval of the finalised non-statutory planning guidance relating to the change of use of residential properties to short-term lets. THERE FOLLOWED A RECESS AND THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 11.06AM. Motion by Councillor A Parrott and M Williamson Approve, in line with recommendations outlined in report 23/289. Amendment by Councillors A Forbes and J Duff Proposed amendment to Short-term Let Page 77 If the residential property has been operating continuously as a short-term let for more than 10 years owners are eligible to apply for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development (CLUD) which, if granted, would mean the use would be exempt from planning enforcement action. Change to: If the residential property has been operating continuously as a short-term let prior to today’s date then temporary planning permission should be given for three years. THERE FOLLOWED ANOTHER RECESS AND THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 11.37AM. The Mover and Seconder of the Amendment agreed to withdraw the Amendment.
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Resolved: (i) Finalised non-statutory planning guidance on short-term lets (Appendix 2), be approved; (ii) It be noted that a paper relating to the introduction of a short term let control area will be brought forward in early 2024. 7. AUCHTERARDER COMMUNITY FACILITIES FUND There was submitted a report by Head of Planning and Development (23/290) seeking the determination of an application for funding from Auchterarder Community Sport and Recreation for a contribution of £50,000 towards the installation of a pump track in Auchterarder Public Park on Western Road, Auchterarder. Resolved: (i) This grant request, in principle, of £50,000 by Auchterarder Community Sports and Recreation, as a contribution towards the project to install a Pump Track at Auchterarder Public Park on Western Road, Auchterarder, be considered and determined. (i) It be noted that grant payment can only be made subject to money actually being available within the fund at a future point; along with the submission of a project plan showing finalised costs and a payment schedule. (iii) It be agreed that any award should be conditional on planning permission being granted. 8. POLICY AND LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR WINTER 2023/2024 There was submitted a report by Head of Environment and Consumer Services (23/291) (1) describing the winter season experienced in 2022/2023 and (2) proposing a level of service for the 2023/24 winter season period, the aim being to permit winter weather to be treated and assist the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles across the Council area. Motion by Councillor A Parrott and M Williamson Approve, in line with recommendations outlined in report 23/291 Amendment by Councillors A Forbes and F Smith It’s become obvious that this is not so much about the traditional way we think about winter in regard to snow and ice but more about all year round resilience. Committee recognises that ongoing severe weather events have had on our area, including residents of Invergowrie. We recognise that staff worked incredibly hard in the recent bad weather events, turning out in extremely bad weather when most of us were sheltering from the storm.
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Over the years we have already made progress with gully cleaning by specifically targeting problem gullies for further action and an additional £100,000 committed to this by the previous administration has made a small difference. However, we accept that in some cases blocked roadside gullies, culverts and ditches may have a contributing factor to the outcome of these events, largely in but not restricted to winter. Committee accepts that the immediate priority of the council should be addressing weather incidents as they arise over the next few months, the recovery and a review of what happened on the weekend of 7/8 October but committee requests officers, as soon as is practical, to conduct a review of the process of gully cleaning, open discussions with SEPA and representatives of the farming and land owning community and to bring any potential proposals for change back to a future committee before summer recess 2024. THERE FOLLOWED A RECESS AND THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 12.43PM In terms of Standing Order 21, a roll call vote was taken: 6 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailie M Williamson, Councillors S Carr, K Harvey, R Watters and J Welch 9 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Bailies A Bailey and C McLaren, Councillors H Anderson, B Brawn, J Duff, A Forbes, W Robertson, F Smith and C Stewart. Resolved: In accordance with the Amendment. 9. PERTH MUSEUM: KEY MILESTONES TO OPENING & OPENING PROGRAMME There was submitted a report by Head of Culture & Communities Services (23/292) (1) briefing the Committee on preparations for the opening of Perth Museum at the end of March 2024, and (2) giving an overview of key workstreams including the opening programme, key expenditure and governance arrangements in place from now until the Museum is fully complete. Resolved: (i) Progress towards the opening of Perth Museum and the revised governance arrangements in place for this final phase, be noted. (ii) Officers to bring an update to this Committee in Autumn 2024 on the economic, community and tourism impact of the opening programme.
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10. PERTH AND KINROSS OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23 There was submitted a report by Head of Environmental & Consumer Services (23/293) (1) summarising the activities and progress of the Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum over the last year and (2) making recommendations in terms of appointments moving forward. Resolved: (i) The re-appointment of three existing members for a period of four years, be confirmed. (ii) The remaining members are retained in their appointments for at least a further year as set out in Appendix 1, be noted. (iii) The fulfilment of any casual vacancy arising in this period through recruitment by Forum members, as detailed within the Forum’s Terms of Reference, be delegated to the Executive Director (Communities) (iv) The activities and progress of the Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum from September 2022, along with the ongoing commitment to maximise effective partnership working to make the best of the exceptional landscapes, paths networks and access rights for all within Perth & Kinross, be noted. ~~~~~~~