Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman reported that Item 12, concerning the allocation of Section 106 developer contribution funding for community facilities at Mampitts Green, Shaftesbury, has been withdrawn from the agenda. The decision to withdraw this item was taken in the light of the Northern Area Planning Committee’s independent consideration of the two Mampitts Lane planning applications based on their planning merits alone. Section 106 funding arrangements was subject to a separate assessment process to the planning applications.

Cabinet would be tasked with considering the Section 106 funding allocation as the funding would exceed £500,000 and was therefore a key decision. Assessing any bids for such funds would involve a comprehensive and objective assessment based on a number of criteria, with the grant of planning permission being an important component. As the Shaftesbury Town Council planning application was refused by the Northern Area Planning Committee, the report on the section 106 funding allocation would be deferred to a future meeting of Cabinet to enable further consideration by Dorset Council.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Cllr M Penfold, Cabinet Lead Member for Education declared an interest in respect of item 8 “Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund Arrangements” as a member of Dorset Council’s Harbours Advisory Committee.  She advised that she would leave the room whilst the item was considered.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work, or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read Public Participation - Dorset Council

All submissions must be emailed in full to Kate.Critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  by 8.30am on Thursday 7 March 2024.

When submitting your question or statement please note that:

•         You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.

•         a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.

•         It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.

•         Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.

•         when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g., the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder)

•         Include your name, address, and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting.

•         questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

•         all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  

There was one question/statement from the public.  A copy of the full question and the detailed response is set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total.   Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The submissions must be emailed in full to kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  8.30am on Thursday 7 March 2024. 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were two questions from Councillors G Taylor and Cllr P Kimber; these along with the responses are set out in Appendix 2 to these minutes.

To consider the draft Cabinet Forward Plan.

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for April – July was received and noted.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy.

That Cabinet agrees:

(a)           To begin each of the procurement procedures, as listed at Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

(b)           That in each instance the further step of making any contract award be delegated to the relevant Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the relevant Executive Director.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy set out the report and proposed the recommendation.  This was seconded by Cllr A Parry

In response to a question seeking clarification, Cabinet supported the following change to 3.5 of the report.” Call-in does apply to an urgency decision but the relevant Portfolio Holder and Chief Officer can be called to account for their decision at a meeting of the relevant scrutiny committee.”

Decision

It was agreed:

(a)           To begin each of the procurement procedures, as listed at Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

(b)           That in each instance the further step of making any contract award be delegated to the relevant Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the relevant Executive Director.

Reason for the decision

Cabinet was required to approve all key decisions with financial consequences of £500k or more. It was good governance therefore to provide Cabinet with a summary of all proposed procurements, that individually were estimated to be total value of £500k or more, prior to procurement procedures formally commencing.

At this juncture Cllr M Penfold, Cabinet Lead member for Education left the room whilst the following item was discussed and decided upon.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(a)    That spending from the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund be delegated to the:

(i)    Environment/Policy/Partnership Manager – individual expenditure decisions not exceeding £50,000.

(ii)  Head of Planning – individual expenditure decisions over £50,000 but not exceeding £100,000

(iii) Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth and Infrastructure individual expenditure over £100,000 but not exceeding £1.5m.

(b)    That regular (at least 6 monthly) reports be prepared for the Portfolio Holder to outline the spend to date and the number of homes enabled through the delivery of nutrient mitigation.

(c)    Cabinet agreed to commit to the spend the Local Mitigation Fund on the delivery of nutrient mitigation with the indicative programme of spend as detailed in Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

(d)    That the emerging outline strategy for the management of nutrient mitigation credits be acknowledged including transitional arrangements as set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

Reason for the decision

Grant funding had been provided through the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the delivery of nutrient mitigation within the Poole Harbour catchment. Mitigation would need to be provided for qualifying development (primarily residential) in the parts of the catchment that fall within both the Dorset Council area and the BCP Council area, but Dorset Council were accountable for any financial transactions.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented a report on the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund and the arrangements of the oversight and spend of the funds awarded to Dorset. 

Dorset Council had made a bid to receive funds from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund to deliver nutrient mitigation within the Poole Harbour catchment. This mitigation would enable development to take place by offsetting the increase in nutrient loading on the Poole Harbour protected site. This would help to meet the Council’s priorities of protecting its natural environment, climate, and ecology, driving economic prosperity, and creating sustainable development and housing. The Portfolio Holder further reported that it would also help in creating stronger healthier communities through the provision of housing need. 

In response to questions, the Portfolio Holder advised that there were several ways to mitigate nutrients, including meadows and tree planting, however phosphates from waste treatment plants caused issues and he was looking to central government to support water authorities carrying out 100% water cleansing rather than the current average of 75%.  The Head of Planning confirmed that the Environment Agency worked closely with the agriculture sector to deal with agriculture issues and the council worked in partnership with the Environment Agency.

In response to a further question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that any scrutiny provision would probably require a Joint Scrutiny process with BCP Council in the future.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder proposed the recommendation and this was seconded by Cllr R Bryan.

Cabinet members supported the proposals.

 Decision

(a)       That spending from the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund be delegated to the:

(i)         Environment/Policy/Partnership Manager – individual expenditure decisions not exceeding £50,000.

(ii)        Head of Planning – individual expenditure decisions over £50,000 but not exceeding £100,000

(iii)       Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth and Infrastructure individual expenditure over £100,000 but not exceeding £1.5m.

(b)       That regular (at least 6 monthly) reports be prepared for the Portfolio Holder to outline the spend to date and the number of homes enabled through the delivery of nutrient mitigation.

(c)        Cabinet agreed to commit to the spend the Local Mitigation Fund on the delivery of nutrient mitigation with the indicative programme of spend as detailed in Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

(d)       That the emerging outline strategy for the management of nutrient mitigation credits be acknowledged including transitional arrangements as set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

Reason for the decision

Grant funding had been provided through the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the delivery of nutrient mitigation within the Poole Harbour catchment. Mitigation would need to be provided for qualifying development (primarily residential) in the parts of the catchment that fall within both the Dorset Council area and the BCP Council area, but Dorset Council was accountable for any financial transactions.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

That the response agreed and endorsed by Cabinet be sent to the Hampshire Authorities regarding the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Proposed Submission Plan, objecting to the proposed re-allocation of the Purple Haze site, and including other comments as set out in the report to Cabinet of 12 March 2024.

Reason for the decision

As a neighbouring minerals and waste planning authority Dorset Council had been consulted by the Hampshire Authorities on the proposed update to their Minerals and Waste Plan 2013. Dorset Council needs to ensure that the proposals in the Proposed Submission Plan do not prejudice our interests. Submitting a response provided an opportunity to express to the Hampshire Authorities our objection to one proposal along with our support or concerns regarding others. Cabinet’s endorsement of the response would give it additional weight when returned to the Hampshire Authorities. It was recommended that the response to the Hampshire Authorities included various previous response documents as appendices to ensure that when the Draft Plan undergoes Examination the Inspector would be able to take them into consideration.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning set out a report with information about the consultation on the “Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Proposed Submission Plan”. The report set out the detail of the plan’s proposals that was most relevant to Dorset Council by highlighting the potential impact on Dorset’s environment. It also set out a recommended response to be returned to the Hampshire Authorities.

The Portfolio Holder expressed concerns around four new allocations for sand and gravel extraction, two of which were on the Dorset border.  These were Midgham Farm near Alderholt and Purple Haze, near Verwood. It was recommended that Dorset Council objected to these two sites because of the negative impact that the proposals would have in the natural environment, impact to the Moors Valley Country Park and significant concerns around air quality impact. The details of the objections and concerns were set out within the report.

The Local Ward member for Alderholt was invited to address the committee and he expressed concerns around the quality of the road surface in the area and the cumulative traffic impact of sand and gravel extraction to the A31 and access to the B381.

Cllr S Gibson and Cllr S Flower spoke in support of the proposed response to the Hampshire Authorities and welcomed the clarify that this brought to Dorset Council’s position on this matter.

It was proposed by Cllr D Walsh and seconded by Cllr S Gibson

Decision

That the response agreed and endorsed by Cabinet be sent to the Hampshire Authorities regarding the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Proposed Submission Plan, objecting to the proposed re-allocation of the Purple Haze site, and including other comments as set out in the report to Cabinet of 12 March 2024.

Reason for the decision

As a neighbouring minerals and waste planning authority Dorset Council had been consulted by the Hampshire Authorities on the proposed update to their Minerals and Waste Plan 2013. Dorset Council needed to ensure that the proposals in the Proposed Submission Plan do not prejudice its interests. Submitting a response provided an opportunity to express to the Hampshire Authorities the council’s objection to one proposal along with its support or concerns regarding others. Cabinet’s endorsement of the response would give it additional weight when returned to the Hampshire Authorities. It was recommended that the response to the Hampshire Authorities included various previous response documents as appendices to ensure that when the Draft Plan undergoes Examination the Inspector would be able to take them into consideration.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(a)    That the timetables outlined in the revised Local Development Scheme be acknowledged and it was agreed to bring it into effect as of 12 March 2024.

(b)    That the Local Development Scheme be published on the Dorset Council Website.

(c)    That to comply with the request in the Written Ministerial Statement of 19 December 2023, a copy of the Local Development Scheme be sent to the Secretary of State.

Reason for the decision

To meet the requirement set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 19 December 2023 all Local Planning Authorities need to update their Local Development Scheme within 12 weeks of the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework. The revised Local Development Scheme needed to be agreed and sent to the Secretary of State by 13 March 2024.

Cabinet considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning regarding an update on the Local Development Scheme to establish the timetable to produce the Dorset Council Plan, the Dorset Council Minerals and Waste Local Plan. 

Members were advised that the update was required in response to the written statement made by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 19 December 2023.

In response to questions, the Portfolio Holder advised that the changes to the plan-making system included a streamlined 30-month local plan production timetable and the introduction of new Gateway Assessments into the process. The proposed changes would remove the need for certain policies through the introduction of a national set of development management policies. The statutory “Duty to Cooperate” had also been removed in preference to an ‘alignment policy’ which required councils to engage with key stakeholders in the production of their local plans. Given the stage that the Dorset Council Local Plan had reached, and the work required to resolve the identified issues, it was unlikely that the Council would be in the position to submit a complete local plan by 30 June 2025. Members were advised that it would be necessary to move across to the new planning-making system and to start preparing a new-style local plan in November 2024.

In response to questions around the statement of community involvement and the Weymouth Master Plan and how engagement would take place, the Chairman confirmed that this information would be shared with members outside of the meeting.

In response to concerns and comments regarding unplanned development, the Portfolio Holder advised that there were 33 neighbourhood plans in place, carrying the appropriate weight, to support planning development decisions. In total there were 60 communities working on neighbourhood plans in order for them to decide about what they wanted in their communities. The Head of Planning also confirmed that as work moved forward with the preparation of the plan, the emerging plan would gain evidence-based weight in future planning decision making.

It was proposed by Cllr D Walsh and seconded by Cllr L Beddow

Decision

(a)    That the timetables outlined in the revised Local Development Scheme be acknowledged and it was agreed to bring it into effect as of 12 March 2024.

(b)    That the Local Development Scheme be published on the Dorset Council Website.

(c)    That to comply with the request in the Written Ministerial Statement of 19 December 2023, a copy of the Local Development Scheme be sent to the Secretary of State.

Reason for the decision

To meet the requirement set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 19 December 2023 all Local Planning Authorities need to update their Local Development Scheme within 12 weeks of the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework. The revised Local Development Scheme needed to be agreed and sent to the Secretary of State by 13 March 2024.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning

(a)    That Dorset Council withdraws the draft revised Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule from public examination.

(b)    That an Exceptional Circumstances Relief Policy for the Purbeck charging area, as set out in Appendix A to the report of 12 March 2024, be agreed, and authority be given to publish the policy to operate exceptional circumstances relief for that area.

(c)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Lead for Place to determine applications for exceptional circumstances relief.

Reason for the decision

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) operates as a planning tool to support the delivery of infrastructure which was required because of development. Across Dorset Council, four charging areas currently operate, each with its own adopted charging schedule.  These charging schedules were adopted by the relevant predecessor councils prior to Local Government Reorganisation in April 2019. The revised draft charging schedule had been based on viability evidence developed prior to examination submission and proposed the introduction of a bespoke charging arrangement to help facilitate the delivery of sites allocated in the draft Purbeck Local Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning advised members that Purbeck’s community infrastructure Levy (CIL) schedule had been in operation since 2014.  Each year the charging schedule rates were adjusted in line with inflation and changes in building costs. A revised charging schedule for Purbeck has been under examination since 2019, along with the examination of the draft Purbeck Local Plan (2018-2034).

The Portfolio Holder advised that with the rising infrastructure demands, it was estimated that the draft schedule would not provide sufficient CIL income to meet strategic infrastructure needs across Dorset. He recommended that Dorset Council continued to operate the existing charging schedule until a Dorset-wide charging schedule was adopted and that the draft revised CIL charging schedule be withdrawn from public examination. An Exceptional Circumstances Relief Policy should be operated for the area until the Dorset-wide policy was in place.

In setting out the recommendation, the Portfolio Holder proposed a minor amendment in recommendation (c) that the wording “the Executive Lead for Place” replaces the “Head of Planning”. The motion was seconded by Cllr J Somper.

Decision

(a)    That Dorset Council withdraws the draft revised Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule from public examination.

(b)    That an Exceptional Circumstances Relief Policy for the Purbeck charging area, as set out in Appendix A to the report of 12 March 2024, be agreed, and authority be given to publish the policy to operate exceptional circumstances relief for that area.

(c)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Lead for Place to determine applications for exceptional circumstances relief.

Reason for the decision

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) operates as a planning tool to support the delivery of infrastructure which was required because of development. Across Dorset Council, four charging areas currently operate, each with its own adopted charging schedule.  These charging schedules were adopted by the relevant predecessor councils prior to Local Government Reorganisation in April 2019. The revised draft charging schedule had been based on viability evidence developed prior to examination submission and proposed the introduction of a bespoke charging arrangement to help facilitate the delivery of sites allocated in the draft Purbeck Local Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to report the recommendation of the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

That the recommendations of the Grid Capacity Task & Finish Group, set out within section 4 of the cover report to the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee of 26 February 2024, on the council’s future approach to the strategic risks and opportunities regarding the electricity network, be approved, subject to the following:

(a)           That, in respect of recommendation 6, MPs be invited to a meeting to enable councillors and officers to directly brief them on the issues and difficulties faced with the grid infrastructure and the issues raised during the review.

(b)           That an additional recommendation (7) be included – That the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee monitor grid provision in Dorset and associated issues including emerging policy and regulatory reform, on an annual basis.

(c)           That a councillor webinar be provided post May 2024 regarding grid capacity, including technologies and the future impact on planning and energy provision.

(d)           That a councillor site visit be arranged post May 2024 to Canford Renewable Energy.

Reason for the decision

To ensure that the council was best placed to mitigate the risks and exploit the opportunities associated with the future of the electricity grid.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment set out the recommendations of the Grid Capacity Task & Finish Group of the Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee, on the council’s future approach to the strategic risks and opportunities regarding the electricity network. The Portfolio Holder took the opportunity to thank the task group for their work on this matter.

The Portfolio Holder continued to report that the scrutiny committee had clarified how Dorset Council could play a more strategic role in unlocking grid capacity in Dorset.  He further advised that an Energy Officer had recently been appointed to the council and part of their role would be to support this work.

The recommendations were proposed by Cllr R Bryan seconded by Cllr B Quayle.

The Chairman of the Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee reported on the work of the task and finish group and thanked them for their efforts on this subject. He highlighted the recommendations set out within the report and the need to strengthen relationships with network operators across a strategic and operational level. Other comments included ensuring that rural communities were not left behind.

Cabinet members supported the recommendations.

Decision

That the recommendations of the Grid Capacity Task & Finish Group, set out within section 4 of the cover report to the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee of 26 February 2024, on the council’s future approach to the strategic risks and opportunities regarding the electricity network, be approved, subject to the following:

(a)       That, in respect of recommendation 6, MPs be invited to a meeting to enable councillors and officers to directly brief them on the issues and difficulties faced with the grid infrastructure and the issues raised during the review.

(b)       That an additional recommendation (7) be included – That the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee monitor grid provision in Dorset and associated issues including emerging policy and regulatory reform, on an annual basis.

(c)        That a councillor webinar be provided post May 2024 regarding grid capacity, including technologies and the future impact on planning and energy provision.

(d)       That a councillor site visit be arranged post May 2024 to Canford Renewable Energy.

Reason for the decision

To ensure that the council was best placed to mitigate the risks and exploit the opportunities associated with the future of the electricity grid.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills and Early Help and the recommendation of the People and Health Overview Committee.

That the proposed development of Dorset’s Family Hub Network be approved.

Reason for the decision

Family Hubs aim to improve access to, and take up of services for babies, children, young people, and their families, through coordinated multi agency delivery of information and support located in accessible spaces within communities. The report set out the proposed development of the Family Hub Network across Dorset.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help presented the recommendation of the People and Health Overview Committee of 6 February 2024. He advised that when you focus on families and develop a network of support, outcomes were greatly improved.  The Family Hub Programme Lead reported that family hubs were for all families living in the Dorset Council area.  They provided information and services for families with children from conception to age 18, and this was up to age 25 for young people with SEND.

Non-executive members welcomed the programme and supported this multi-agency and collaborative way forward. In response to a question, the Executive Director for People – Children confirmed that no services would cease until any other appropriate alternative service with increased provision was put into place.

Cllr B Quayle proposed the recommendation, and this was seconded by Cllr J Haynes.

Decision

That the proposed development of Dorset’s Family Hub Network be approved.

Reason for the decision

Family Hubs aim to improve access to, and take up of services for babies, children, young people, and their families, through coordinated multi agency delivery of information and support located in accessible spaces within communities. The report set out the proposed development of the Family Hub Network across Dorset.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help and the recommendation of the People and Health Overview Committee.

That the Sufficiency Strategy, and related action planning that is required for its effective delivery, be approved.

Reason for the decision

There was a range of legal duties associated with an overall “sufficiency duty” on all local authorities, as part of the Children Act 1989, to secure accommodation for children in their care, within the local authority area. 

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help set out the report and the recommendations from the People & Health Overview Committee of 6 February 2024. The Sufficiency Strategy 2024-2027 outlined how the council would continue to implement and deliver arrangements that wrap around children and families, to ensure that they receive the right support at the right time.

Approval of the Sufficiency Strategy for 2024-2027 was proposed by Cllr B Quayle and was unanimously agreed.

Decision

That the Sufficiency Strategy, and related action planning that is required for its effective delivery, be approved.

Reason for the decision

There were a range of legal duties associated with an overall “sufficiency duty” on all local authorities, as part of the Children Act 1989, to secure accommodation for children in their care, within the local authority area. 

Cabinet Portfolio Holder(s) and Leader Members to report.

There were no referrals to report other than those already set out in the Forward Plan. The Portfolio Holder reports were attached at appendix 3 to these minutes.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

The following item of business (min76) was considered by the Chairman as urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The item was urgent because a decision could not wait until the next available Cabinet meeting.

(a)  That the Council makes the Modified Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Plan 2018 - 2031 (as set out in Appendix A) part of the statutory development plan for the Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Area.

(b)  That the Council offers its congratulations to Hazelbury Bryan Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in producing a successful neighbourhood plan review. 

Reason for the decision

To formally make the modified neighbourhood plan part of the statutory development plan for the Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Area. In addition, to recognise the significant amount of work.

The Portfolio Holder presented the report and recommendation in respect of making the Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Plan. The recommendations were unanimously agreed by members.

Decision

(a)  That the Council makes the Modified Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Plan 2018 - 2031 (as set out in Appendix A) part of the statutory development plan for the Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Area.

(b)  That the Council offers its congratulations to Hazelbury Bryan Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in producing a successful neighbourhood plan review. 

Reason for the decision

To formally make the modified neighbourhood plan part of the statutory development plan for the Hazelbury Bryan Neighbourhood Area. In addition, to recognise the significant amount of work.

Exempt Business

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There were no exempt reports scheduled for the meeting.