Decisions made at Executive meeting – 24 July 2017

Councillors agreed a revised timetable for the new Local Plan to allow time for councillors to consider final studies that support its preparation. The new timescale will enable the council’s statutory duty to cooperate with neighbouring councils to be met and ensure the Local Plan is as sound and robust as it can be prior to its publication.

The revised timetable is as follows:

• September 2017 – Council approval of proposed submission Local Plan for publication
• January 2018 – Submission of the Local Plan for Public Examination
• April 2018 – Examination hearings
• September 2018 – Receipt of Final Inspector’s Report
• October 2018 – Adopt the Plan

It is anticipated that the draft Local Plan will be published for a minimum period of six weeks in September 2017 for any interested parties to make representations.

Councillors agreed that disabled facilities grants and other home improvement grants should be administered by Blaby District Council as county host of The Lightbulb service. Currently Harborough District Council’s disabled facilities grants are administered by the home improvement agency Papworth Trust. This contract is due to expire at the end of September 2017. The ‘Lightbulb’ service looks to improve housing support for individuals and helps people remain independent in their homes for longer. It will be a ‘hub’ hosted by one partner authority which will ensure consistency and resilience across the county.

Councillors agreed that, following an independent examiner’s report, the proposed Great Easton neighbourhood plan can progress to a referendum to be held on 12 October 2017. Villagers in Great Easton will vote on that date to decide whether the proposed neighbourhood plan should be adopted. Neighbourhood plans help communities choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, and what new buildings should look like. When ‘made’, they are an important document when considering applications for planning permission.

Councillors agreed that the proposed increase in Hackney Carriage fares should be put out to public consultation.  As part of its taxi licensing function the council has the power to set the maximum rate of fares chargeable by Hackney Carriage proprietors. The proposals follow a request made at the last taxi trade meeting to review the current taxi tariffs set by the council. The request was to increase tariffs for Hackney taxis and minibuses by 5 per cent.

View the Executive agenda and associated reports in full on the council’s website