Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Tim Lloyd, who had passed comments to the Chairman for the group’s consideration.

To receive the note of the meeting held on 21 December 2021

The notes of the meeting held on 22 December 2021 were received by the Group.

To review the Group’s draft report to Overview & Scrutiny

The Group reviewed the draft final report developed from the work undertaken since the inaugural meeting July 2021, and scheduled for presentation to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 21 March 2022.

Two alternative drafts of the report, based on research, interviews and review of Government guidance, had been circulated in advance for consideration, along with a third annotation proposing further amendments (designated as Revision C)  .

The Group considered the proposed revisions against the relevant Council policies and priorities, and there was a consensus of agreement with the amendments reflected in Revision A.  The additional comments in Revision C had been incorporated in Revision A, but it was agreed that the content in the main report should be concise and that any further detail needed would be better presented in appendices.

There was agreement that the final report will need to be clearer on how Strategic Policy 41 in the Local Plan should address Sustainable Transport, particularly:

-       A general “pursue and encourage” approach that recognises varying demand and opportunity

-       Enabling travel choices, including a mix of travel means, encouraging shorter journeys, and alternative work options that reduce the need for travelling

-       Recognising the need to balance travel reduction with social and business needs in defining working practices

-       Ensuring that developments reflect and adhere to the appropriate standards and requirements for sustainable transport

It was agreed that the Group’s recommendations should be to highlight the identified issues and steer consideration, rather than formulate detailed policy.

The Chairman will develop a final draft report (D) incorporating the agreed changes emerging from the meeting and circulate this for consideration and final comment.

It was agreed that a further meeting will not be arranged, and that further revisions and agreement would be conducted by e-mail.

The final agreed report will be presented to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 21 March and will need to be signed off by the Group by the end of February to meet the initial timescale deadlines