This month the new administration has been hitting its stride more. Many more meetings with officers have taken place whilst members complete their induction training this month. Below are some points from my portfolio and some key points from other portfolio holders:
Planning Portfolio
I’ve been closely involved in coordinating with officers around planning policy, development management, enforcement, government planning consultations, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the withdrawal of the Local Plan.
The Local Plan will be formally withdrawn at the next full council meeting on the 17th of July. On the 10th of July Shropshire Council will be launching a new ‘call for sites’ as they prepare to start developing the new local plan in January. Under the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), sites previously assessed or allocated will not automatically carry over and will need to be resubmitted for review. The NPPF now includes mandatory housing targets for Shropshire of 2,025 dwellings a year, as well as bringing in Grey Belt. Additionally, new Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are in production and are expected to be published for review shortly. These are seriously out of date, dating back to 2012. A new bigger range of SPDs will help provide some policy cover while there is no Local Plan. They will cover a range of issues from affordable housing, design codes, local nature recovery schemes, to transport. I have asked officers to look at introducing Fixed Penalty Notices for planning enforcement. Lack of planning enforcement is a common complaint from the public. So far this year Shropshire Council has 685 live planning applications, 48 live planning appeals, 93 live tree applications and 227 live enforcement cases.
I have responded to queries from members and residents across Shropshire about planning applications, CIL and S106 allocations, and enforcement concerns, ensuring complaints were acknowledged and followed up. I attended a range of meetings to talk about the new administration, their priorities and my planning portfolio role. On the 24th of June I attended the SALC Oswestry Area Committee AGM. On the 25th of June I was a guest speaker at the Developers Breakfast meeting organised by Berrys. The following week I attended Highley Parish Council’s planning meeting to discuss the local plan, neighbourhood planning and how they can proceed on a number of issues.
Transport
Last week I took the Oxon park and ride bus to Cabinet with other cabinet members, officers and members of the press, to mark the new more frequent timetable. Buses now run every 12 minutes and cost £2 for a return ticket.
Health
A countywide campaign has been launched to address falling vaccination rates, which have declined significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic. This drop poses serious public health risks, and residents are encouraged to ensure they and their families are up to date with all routine vaccinations. On a positive note, the issue of delayed hospital discharges has seen significant improvement compared to last year. Continued efforts are underway to reduce delays further, ensuring patients can return home or move into appropriate care in a timely manner.
Housing
The county’s social housing register, Homepoint, is undergoing an urgent review. Currently operating as a two-tier system, the priority waiting list has grown to 7,000 households. There are growing concerns that local housing needs in rural communities are not being adequately met.
Social Care – Fostering
Shropshire Council is seeking to expand its fostering service and actively recruiting for more foster carers. Fostering provides either a long- or short-term home for children and young people in the care of the local authority. Providing safe, stable and loving homes for children and young people is a high priority for Shropshire Council and the children they look after. Foster carers are well supported by Shropshire Council with training provided as well as social events and peer support.
There is lots of information on this link Foster Care In Shropshire | Shropshire Fostering | Home and a local charity Shropshire Foster Carers Association who do some great work organising trips and events for foster families. They are actively fundraising so if you can help to spread the word with this link Building Bonds Through Shared Journeys that would be wonderful.
Casework Issues
Casework this month has again been focused on planning applications. But has also covered roads maintenance complaints, noisy and collapsing road covers, fallen trees, other tree hazards, planning enforcement cases and the lack of enforcement. As well as following up on existing casework and the back log of issues across both parishes.The next few weeks look like being particularly hectic, with various strategic site meetings and but as always happy to help with casework where I can.
