From Cllr Thornton to the Chair of Planning
In relation to the ministerial guidance on affordable contributions on small developments, how much has the government’s misleading of Tory controlled RDC cost the Council?
From Cllr Joy Andrews to the Chair of Planning
What is the breakdown of the costs of the attempted sale of WSCP to date?
From Cllr Clark to the Chair of Planning
Has Councillor Windress considered his position as Chair of Planning?
Minutes:
1. Councillor Thornton submitted the following question:
To Councillor Windress, Chairman of Planning Committee:
“In relation to the ministerial guidance on affordable contributions on small developments, how much has the government’s misleading of Tory controlled RDC cost the Council?”
In the absence of the Chairman of Planning Committee, the Vice Chairman Councillor Frank replied
“This matter was the subject of a detailed report to members of the Planning Committee on 10th February 2015 and then by Full Council at the meeting held on 24th February 2015. The report set out the set out the reasons for not seeking developer contributions, the significance of any risks and the implications for the implementation of the Ryedale Plan and the decision making process. A list of 15 no. Applications that were affected was also included as part of the report.
The ministerial statement has not ‘cost’ the Council anything in terms of how it processed or dealt with the respective applications.
However the decision not to seek developer contributions from small sites related to both off site commuted sums for affordable housing and Public Open Space (POS).
15 No. Applications were listed in the report to Council on 24th February 2015 – the foregone contributions were £325k for affordable housing and £58k for POS.
In the intervening period officers have identified another 11 no. Applications where contributions would have been sought if Policy SP3 and SP11 had been applied.
No detailed figures are available for each of these later applications as they were not subject to detailed consideration by a valuer. However it is estimated that the addition developer contributions foregone is approx £300k for affordable housing and £30k for POS.
Total – Housing £625k
Total – POS £88k.”
Councillor Thornton asked the following supplementary question:
“Thank you for those figures. I should point out that it's not the Council that has lost this money £625,000, £88,000 that's £700,000 - it's the public who have been disadvantaged. They've lost potential affordable housing, they've lost public open spaces. I don't think that RDC is flush with money to be able to let this slip. It seem that the slavish adherence to ministerial statements and officers' advice has cost the public considerably and should we not deal with that advice in the Chamber with detailed questioning and exploration of possible responses to perhaps avoid this loss in future?”
Councillor Frank replied that a written answer would be provided.
2. Councillor Joy Andrews submitted the following question:
To Councillor Windress, Chairman of Planning Committee:
“What is the breakdown of the costs of the attempted sale of WSCP to date?”
As this question fell within the remit of the Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Cowling replied
“Members will be fully aware of the distinction between the two roles of the Council on matters relating to WSCP namely :
(i) Role of the Council as a landowner;
(ii) Role of Council as a Local Planning Authority
This question is interpreted as relating solely to the Role of the Council as a landowner.
The costs of relating to the proposed disposal of WSCP are TOTAL £145, 988.00.”
3. Councillor Clark submitted the following question:
To Councillor Windress, Chairman of Planning Committee:
“Has Councillor Windress considered his position as Chair of Planning?”
In the absence of the Chairman of Planning Committee, the Vice Chairman Councillor Frank read a statement from him:
“If I thought I needed to consider my position as Chairman of RDC's Planning Committee then I wouldn't need to be prompted by the Liberal Leader.”
Councillor Clark asked the following supplementary question:
“On the basis that tonight he was unaware of the Planning costs of the sale of Wentworth Street car park and that it is a rough estimate of those costs - has cost the people of Ryedale in excess of £500,000 - on that basis what has he done about that because if he's not considering his position then how is he going to improve his performance in future?”
Councillor Frank replied that a written answer would be provided.