Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor Steven North.

The Chair invited those who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations were made.

RESOLVED:

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed, subject to:

Minute 6 – North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan Issues and Scope Consultation – under heading for Kettering North replace the word “Several” with “A large number of”.

The Interim Planning Policy Lead Manager introduced the report which informed the Panel of the Kettering Station Quarter Masterplan and sought Members endorsement of the Masterplan prior to its consideration by the Executive.

In March 2019, the then Kettering Borough Council, and those partners who made up the Northamptonshire Property Partnership, were successful in securing £115,000 of capacity funding from One Public Estate Phase 7 to prepare a joint Services and Assets Delivery Plan which would establish detailed options for the delivery of housing sites, commercial floor space and the provision of car parking to serve Kettering railway station.  The purpose of the project was to formulate a Station Quarter Delivery Plan which was to design and layout improved access and public realm for a new station forecourt, including a multimodal interchange area and a potential second entrance to the station from the land to the west.

During discussion, the following principal points were noted:

i.     It was noted that the project was not financially viable at the current time, but it was hoped that enough progress could be made ready for when funding was available.

ii.    Members asked how Highways would deal with the increase in traffic through the Masterplan.  Officers confirmed that the concept had to be developed further but Highways had looked at its potential and further measured work was needed.  It was important to ensure that Highways looked at the junction at the beginning.

iii.   Members welcomed the report as it dealt with a problem which needed to be dealt with.  It was acknowledged that there was a lot of work to be done.

iv.   In response to a question as to what was being proposed to enhance Station Road, officers advised that it would be around townscape features such as signage and street furniture.

v.    It was noted that prior to this work being undertaken, the sports club were looking at relocating from their current site and were interested in a piece of land in Hanwood Park.  If they did relocate, there could be the potential for further expansion.

vi.   Members requested that an indication of the timescales for each of the phases be presented in due course.

vii.  It was noted that the current costs for the project was around £11m and for future reporting, it would be important to ensure that the costs were updated to consider inflation and other implications.

viii. Members asked how this project would affect car parking in Kettering town centre.  It was confirmed that a Car Parking Strategy would start to be developed later this year.

RESOLVED:

(i)      To note and endorse the content of the report and the Kettering Station Quarter Masterplan prior to its consideration by the Executive 

Reason for Recommendation:

To introduce to Members the Kettering Station Quarter Masterplan and agree ways for taking the findings into investment and redevelopment opportunities for the area.

The Interim Planning Policy Lead Manager introduced the report which provided the Panel with an outline of the draft Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan which had been prepared by Anglian Water.  The Panel’s agreement was sought on the draft responses to a series of questions set through the consultation.

A Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) was a long-term strategic plan that set out how wastewater systems, and the drainage networks that impacted them, could be maintained, extended and improved to make sure that they were robust and resilient to future pressures.  It was also used to understand current and future risks to drainage and water quality.  The DWMP covered the period 2025-2050, where the impacts from growth and climate change over time would be monitored and predicted.  This would ensure that customer needs were met alongside environmental regulations and maintenance of the network.

During discussion, the following principal points were noted:

i.     It was noted that flood investigation reports were required for each flooding incident and Members enquired whether these were up to date following the floods at Christmas 2020.  It was confirmed that not all the reports had been completed.

ii.    It was stated that the Council did not have any flood officers and the service was undertaken by West Northamptonshire Council, which was under a lot of pressure.  It was accepted that the flood investigation reports were a part of the process but there was also a requirement for action to be taken when needed.

iii.   Members asked whether we knew where all the water recycling plants were, and this would be an area that the Panel may want to have a look at in the future.

iv.   There was a need to be strong with the water companies to try and stop the network from leaking.

v.    It was suggested that the responses to the consultation questions could be made a little bit stronger and officers undertook to do this.

RESOLVED:

i.          To note the contents of the Anglian Water Draft Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan and endorse the Council’s response to the consultation.

ii.         That any proposed amendments or additions following the Panel’s meeting will be delegated to the Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Director for Place and Economy.

Reason for recommendations:

To inform members of the Anglian Water consultation and agree the Council’s response.

The Executive Forward Plan for September to December 2022 was noted.

The Chair thanked Members, officers and the public for their attendance and closed the meeting.

The meeting closed at 6.40pm.