Issue - items at meetings - City Plan - Policy options

43.1 The Local Development Team Manager Liz Hobden introduced the report on the Brighton & Hove City Plan Consultation on Policy Options Paper (Employment). Alongside other options papers, this is out to consultation between 17 October and 2 December. It is based on detailed research including close collaboration with the Economic Development Team. 

43.2 The Local Development Team Manager summarised the stakeholder events that formed part of the consultation. The Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership was holding an evening workshop for its Members on the employment options.

43.3 She said the key aim was to safeguard primary office and employment areas and went on to answer questions; on industrial sites on the outskirts of the City, housing demand and the potential impact of relaxing the rules around changes of use from commercial to residential, and provision for infrastructure and leisure & tourism.

43.4 With regard to the age and reliability of the data underpinning the proposals, she stated that this was a 20-year plan that would take into account recent changes in the economic climate. The City Employment and Skills Plan was launched 3 weeks ago and up to date information would be included in the analysis, she said. In reply to further questions the Local Development Team Manager said Local Authorities were being asked to provide homes, and jobs; and the Housing Delivery Strategy is one of the Policy Options Papers.  An Infrastructure Delivery Plan will be updated as part of the wider City Plan and will be subject to consultation in March and April of next year.

43.5 The Strategic Director Place said the public sector did not have a direct role in creating jobs but could enable and safeguard employment land. Answering a query on recent reductions in feed-in tariffs he said this was one example of rapid changes that potentially could have a serious impact on the local economy; this would need to be considered. In relation to the need for leisure sites, he said tourism was being encouraged, outside the scope of the City Plan.

43.6 The Local Development Team Manager confirmed that the internal officer advisory group, who were involved in the options paper, enabled very close working and exchange of information between teams within the council including with the Economic Development Team.

43.7 There would be a continuing opportunity to comment on the City Plan proposals. A report would be brought to Members early in 2012 following the options consultation.

43.8 RESOLVED (i) that the report be noted

(ii) that comments be referred to the Executive