The Chairman welcomed Councillor Craig Leyland and Greg Macrdechian, Interim Local Plan Lead, to the Meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Alex Hall.

It was noted that, in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, notice had been given that Councillor Ruchira Yarsley had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Travis Hesketh for this Meeting only.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to declare any relevant interests.  None were received.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2024.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

Actions from the previous Meeting(s).

It was agreed that the Actions would be deferred to the next Committee Meeting.

To receive a verbal update.

Deborah Higton, Lincolnshire Coast Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency (EA) presented Members with an update and presentation on the state of coastal defences.

A copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes

Following which, Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

In response to a query relating to Zone B where the hard defences were located, Deborah Higton advised Members they were based from Mablethorpe to Skegness.  Members were further advised that some areas in between Mablethorpe and Skegness were missing the concrete structures,   however these areas had a more natural system with some form of hard engineering underneath.

Following a query with regards to the 20,000 properties protected by the hard defences and the grant in aid funding, Deborah Higton confirmed that only the properties that existed prior to 2012 and at the cut-off date were counted.  New properties did not generate a grant in aid funding as they would not be at risk of flooding.

A query was raised on whether the coastal defence work may stop due to it being one of the biggest carbon emitters and also whether carbon reduction was classed as being more important than coastal defence work. Deborah Higton responded that it was not a reason for them not to continue with coastal defence work and they would look at ways to mitigate this.

A Member queried whether there was a planting regime in place along the coast to enable the natural defences and whether the EA was proactive in such schemes.

Deborah Higton informed Members that the EA was carrying out planting and highlighted that one of the best natural defences was the intertidal area as when built up with vegetation, would catch the sand and grow the beaches which was a great form of flood defence.  Members were also informed that the EA was looking at changing the design profile of the beach.

A Member queried whether there was any work being carried out on The Wash barrier.  Deborah Higton advised Members that the EA did not have much information on The Wash barrier and that it would be down to the developer to demonstrate that they were mitigating any impacts when putting any infrastructure into the tidal area.

Details relating to development in the Humber Estuary and what the long-term implications were was also discussed, with Members being informed that the EA was working closely with the Humber Strategy to demonstrate the impact of the mitigation.

Further to a comment made relating to the marram grass on Cleethorpes beach close to the leisure centre, Members were informed that this was a wide, shallow intertidal area which allowed the building-up of marram grass and salt marsh, providing a good way of manging flood risk.

A request was made for Deborah Higton to present to the Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, to which she responded she would be happy to do.

At the indulgence of the Chairman, Councillor Craig Leyland queried why the agricultural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To receive a verbal update.

N.B. Councillor Terry Aldridge left the Meeting at 7:14pm and returned at 7:15pm.

N.B. Councillor Craig Leyland left the Meeting at 7:14pm.

The Chairman addressed Members with regards to the format for future meetings and the potential for holding a briefing or workshop instead of cancelling the scheduled Meeting when there was no substantive business.

A Member commented that historically, Members had relied on being presented with an Agenda instead of them being able to suggest items for the meeting.

A Member further commented that there were several subjects that would be useful to the Committee including Section 106 Agreements, renewable energy (covering the allocation of land areas), Members involvement in the decision-making of Tree Preservation Orders and an opportunity to revisit settlement scores.  The Chairman commented that he was keen for the above items to be heard.

Following a request for an update on whether non-planning policy members would be able to attend the committee meetings, the Chairman confirmed he was agreeable with the request and would allow non-members, at his discretion, to join in the Meeting and discussions.

Members were advised that public meetings with a lack of substantive business would be cancelled and replaced with discussion sessions.

N.B. Councillor Paul Rickett left the Meeting at 7:24pm and returned at 7:26pm.

N.B. Councillor Craig Leyland returned to the Meeting at 7:27pm.

A discussion ensued with Members querying whether there was a place for an informal opportunity to meet and talk outside of the committee meetings, for example over Microsoft Teams.  After a brief discussion,  there were some reservations with regards to that suggestion.

A Member commented that the Planning Policy meetings needed to be transparent and that members of the public should be encouraged to attend.

Further suggestions were received including the opportunity of Planning Committee members to attend the meetings and to include the briefings as part of the Reserved Member Days.

A Member further commented that there was a lack of attendance at Planning Policy meetings by members of the public due to them being dis-engaged and highlighted that work was also needed to re-engage parish councils.

No further comments or questions were received.