REPORT FROM THE CABINET MEMBER ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT

TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL

ON WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH 2007

1. Parliamentary Select Committee Report on Coastal Towns

On 7 March 2007 a Parliamentary Select Committee Report on Coastal Towns was published. Representatives from the IW Council gave evidence at the Select Committee hearing back in 2006 and we explained that the Island had seen a decline in the traditional sea side tourism market and that there were many economic, social and environmental problems that needed to be addressed.

As a result of the Select Committee’s investigation, it has recommended to the Government that it should develop a policy specifically for Coastal Towns.

2. Plenary Session of the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA)

I attended the SEERA Plenary meeting on 7 March in Woking. The following points of interest, relevant to the Isle of Wight, were discussed:

a. Planning Gain Supplement (PGS)

The intended policy on PGS is still not firm, but the indications are that 70% of any PGS will be returned to the authority in which it was raised and the remaining 30% will be returned to the ‘Regions’ What is meant by ‘Regions’ is still not clear. I understand that PGS will not impact upon local Section 106 agreements, but that needs to be confirmed when the policy is finally set.

b. Windfall Developments

The Government is saying that unexpected housing developments within the local authority’s area should not be counted against its total housing allocation. Some authorities contest this point as most of their housing allocation is met by developments coming forward from windfall sites. This condition may have two effects, the first is that it will induce more houses to be built than are planned within an area, and secondly that more pressure will be imposed on Greenfield sites.

Cllr Ian Ward

Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment