Agenda item

Members' Items (if any)

Minutes:

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Geof Cooke introduced the Member’s Item.  

 

Members Item Request:

Instruction from Committee

Making passive provision for West London Orbital (WLO) platforms at the Brent Cross West Thameslink station that the Council is delivering would save public money when the WLO is approved and would accord with Barnet Council and Mayor of London policy. 

 

Unfortunately, National Government support to TfL during the Covid-19 pandemic has prevented TfL from committing the £1.4m estimated cost of the work and there is now a serious risk that the provision might not be made in the station design at Network Rail's GRIP 5 stage that must be progressed to enable the Thameslink station to be opened on schedule in 2022. 

 

I propose that officers and the Leader investigate every possible funding mechanism and lobby budget holders including the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure that passive provision for the WLO is made at Brent Cross West.

That an update on this item is included as part of the ‘Brent Cross Cricklewood update report’ considered by the Housing and Growth Committee.

 

 

 

 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Ross Houston introduced the Member’s Item.  

 

Members Item Request:

Instruction from Committee

The Government have published a document 'Planning for the Future' that will effectively result in a bonfire of current planning regulation, and even more overdevelopment in Barnet with little likelihood that the Borough will benefit from additional affordable housing and funding for infrastructure.

 

The proposals will scrap the need to obtain planning permission once early stage principles for a development are agreed in 'growth areas', and developments will only need basic checks in 'renewal areas'. 

 

This will side-line local planning committees, local democratic accountability, and the ability of residents to have a say on final planning applications.

 

In order to protect Barnet from overdevelopment and ensure we are in control of planning policy, and housing and regeneration locally, I believe the Council must oppose the 'Planning for the Future' proposals, and I ask the Committee to discuss and agree a robust response to the Government's consultation.

 

No further action (see comments below)

 

 

Comments and further actions agreed:

 

Councillor Cooke’s Members Item

The Chairman agreed to lobby the various organisations involved and report back to the Committee on any outcomes achieved. 

 

Councillor Houston’s Members Item

Councillor Houston, duly seconded by Councillor Mittra moved the motion formally requesting:

 

‘The council oppose the 'Planning for the Future' proposals, and for the Committee to discuss and agree a robust response to the Government's consultation.’

 

He further requested if consultation with local groups such as the Barnet Society, Finchley Society and established Resident Associations could be undertaken.

 

The Chairman commented that all groups or organisation were welcome to submit their views and that those views would be taken into account. But he advised that a formal consultation on a local level across the borough would not be undertaken.

 

The Chairman did agree to promote the link to the Government’s white paper consultation as it affected local planning.

 

Upon being put to the vote the motion in name of Councillor Houston was declared lost.

 

RESOLVED that the instructions as set out in the table above are noted.

 

Supporting documents: