Agenda and minutes

Cllr David Over, Barnack Ward Councillor

Leonie McCarthy, Neighbourhoods Manager – Citywide

Joe Dobson, Helpston Parish Council

Geoff Smith, Werrington Neighbourhood Council

Andy Goodsell, Eye Parish Council

Brenda Stanojevic, Eye Parish Council

Cllr Darren Fower, Werrington South Ward Councillor

Michael Chambers, Orton Waterville Parish Council

Paul Bianchi, Orton Longueville Parish Council

The minutes were not put forward for approval by the Chair and will be put forward at the next meeting.

The Group Manager of Development management Planning Services presented to the PCL the draft national planning policy framework proposed by the localism bill. The presentation looked at the governments proposals to condense existing national Planning Policy Guidance into a single policy document with a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The presentation also took into account the Neighbourhood plans being introduced through the localism bill which give communities power to develop policies for the area in which they live.

Following the presentation the following issues were addressed:

PCC is generally supportive of the changes but more detail needed on certain points.

Any plan that is put forward must conform to PCC plan.

Neighbourhood Plans must be the subject of a referendum.

It was put to the Group Manager of Development management Planning Services that the document was unclear in a lot of its points. He responded by saying he hoped for more clarity when the government had published its final document early next year.

The Natural & Historic Environment Manager from Planning Services presented to the PCL a best practice report for the management of Parish Council owned trees. The presentation looked at the benefits of trees such as their release of oxygen into the atmosphere, absorption of carbon dioxide and that they provide a habitat for local wildlife.

It was noted that in the past ten years tree failure has accounted for sixty four fatalities in the UK.

It was recommended during the presentation that trees should be assessed on a regular basis by someone who has received LANTRA accredited training.

Following the presentation the following issues were addressed:

The landowner is responsible for the upkeep of trees on his or her land even if the victim of a tree failure was trespassing.

Rural footpaths typically run through private land but if the tree is growing through the right of way then the council will take responsibility.

LANTRA offer a one day training course to gain a tree inspection qualification which costs approximately £60.00.

No questions were raised.

It was agreed to look at the work programme at a future meeting.