Agenda and minutes

Councillor Loughbrough-Rudd declared an interest in item 5a due to residing at Streethay where the concrete would be required in connection with the construction of HS2. 

Councillors Francis, Winnington, Hudson and Snape declared an interest in item 4 on the agenda due to all being members of Staffordshire County Showground committee.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Resolved – That (a) the following Members be appointed to the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel:

·         Mark Winnington (C)

·         David Smith (VC)

·         Jak Abrahams

·         Paul Snape

·         Jill Waring

·         Robert Pritchard

·         Philip Hudson

The Committee considered a report detailing the work of the Safety of Sports Grounds team carried out from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. Members noted the County Council’s statutory obligations under the relevant legislation and the activities carried out to ensure that those duties had been met.

Councillor Snape asked why policing wasn’t supplied for the Tamworth v Nuneaton football match and what planning was completed ahead of this? The Officer advised he would enquire further about this with the relevant people and get his feedback forwarded to Members once completed.

Councillor Sutherland questioned if there were any time delays implementing Martin’s Law. The Officer confirmed that there is a summary to ensure Martin’s Law is incorporated and they will implement this on a case-by-case basis. The cases that are a higher risk will be completed first, but it is expected that all are to be completed in the financial year.

Resolved – That the activity completed in respect of Safety of Sports Ground for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 be noted.

Reports of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills

Request for prior written approval in compliance with condition 9 (f) (Extension of operating hours for concrete plant) of planning permission L.20/03/867 M

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the submission requesting written approval in compliance with condition 9(f) (Extension of operating hours for concrete plant) of planning permission L.20/3/867 M at Pyford Brook Quarry, Kings Bromley Road, Alrewas.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received representation from Mr S Threlfall, objecting to the submission and Ms E Pearman, supporting the submission. Ms Pearman mentioned that Cemex would keep the liaison committee informed about any extended working hours.

Councillor Eagland, as Local Member, informed the Committee that she feels this submission should not be approved due to the adverse effects of the constituents within the local residents and visitors to Fradley Junction.

The Committee discussed the effects of HS2 and that the contention by Mr Threlfall that the submission is premature at this stage as even before the site has started, Cemex are asking to extend their operating hours to produce concrete for HS2. Councillor Cox agreed that it was premature and commented about the increased highway safety risk, the effects on residential amenity and the Section 61 approval processhandled by Lichfield District CouncilMahon questioned the alternatives to supplying concrete from this site, and the wider implications in terms of disruption to the HS2 programme and the planned night-time closures to the A38 and railway. The Case Officer advised that Cemex would have to go further afield to supply concrete to meet their contractual requirements to HS2 resulting in HGV traffic having to travel  

Councillor Loughbrough-Rudd commented about the impact of the HS2 works on residents living at Streethay before leaving themeeting and did not takepart in the votes. 

Councillor Cox proposed that on the basis of the impact of traffic to residential amenities, the quality of life of residents, noise pollution, highway safety, the prematurity of the application and the detrimental impact on health that this submission should not be approved. This was seconded by Councillor Snape.

Following a vote Councillor s proposal was not carriedand vote in favour of the original recommendation then took place. 

Following a vote it was:

·         Resolved – To approve - the request to extend the operating hours for the concrete plant to 31 July 2023 in compliance with condition 9(f) of the planning permission (ref.L.20/03/867 M) as described in the report.

The Committee received a report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills on the Planning, Policy and Development Control team annual report over the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The Committee were presented with details of the activities of the Planning Policy and Development Control team related to policy-making, development control performance against national and local targets and the staffing situation within the team.

The Committee expressed their thanks to the Planning, Policy and Development team.

Councillor Snape briefly stated that he also wished to thank the Officers that had been working with the Judicial Review for the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel for all their hard work.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Chairman to move:-

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.

Part Two

(All reports in this section are exempt)

Nil

The Chairman to move:-

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.

The Committee received a report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills on the work of the Planning Regulation team including details of the notices served from 1 April 2022 to 1 May 2023.

Resolved – That the report be noted.