Agenda and minutes

The Convener advised that there were no changes to the order of business or urgent matters to be considered.

2.1       Appointment of Acting Strategic Development Plan Manager        

            With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 26 September 2016, the Convener asked for an update on the current status of the Manager position.  John Bury reported that the Board was working with SEStran on proposed arrangements.  Revised legal documents had been sent by the Joint Committees legal adviser and the intention was to have the new arrangements in place by the beginning of January if all issues were resolved.

2.2       Planning Performance Framework 2015-16

            With reference to paragraph 6 of the Minute of 26 September 2016, the Convener advised that he had received a positive reply from Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing in response to the achievement of a green rating in all six areas of performance.  The Convener would copy the letter to all Members of the Joint Committee.

            DECISION

            NOTED the above.

The Minute of Meeting of 26 September 2016 had been circulated. 

DECISION

APPROVED the Minute as a correct record.

There had been circulated copies of a report by the SESplan Lead Officer providing an update on risk management.  The report explained that the risk register had been updated by closing risks that were no longer applicable or current. The probability and impact scores associated with individual risks had also been revised to reflect the current stage of the programme. Of those risks that remained active, there were five project related risks and four operational risks which had a residual amber risk score and these were detailed in the report.  Councillor Perry commented on the Cross Border Transport Study and concerns regarding the financing of any cross-border transport projects.  It was considered that a discussion on this matter was required with Transport Scotland.  Councillor Laird commented on the wider Strategic Transport Project Review and how it would fit with individual Local Development Plans.  She also suggested that an additional risk in respect of budget setting needed to be added given the various uncertainties around Council budget settlements and the Government White Paper on the Planning Review.  The Convener suggested that the Board arrange to meet with Transport Scotland and advise should Joint Committee input be required before the next meeting in March 2017.

DECISION

AGREED to note the update on risk management as set out in the report, subject to the inclusion of text to address the concerns of Members relating to cross border transport projects and budget setting for 2017 / 2018.

There had been circulated copies of a report by the SESplan Lead Officer setting out the work plan of the SESplan Joint Committee to the end of 2017. 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the SESplan Joint Committee Work Plan as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

There had been circulated copies of a report by the SESplan Planner on how and when the 2016 SESplan Housing Land Update would be produced.  The report noted that Housing Land Audits were still to be received from East Lothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian Councils in early December to allow the Update to be prepared by the end of the year.  The Lead Officer reported that these were now expected to be received late December / early January with the update to be produced and finalised in the New Year.

DECISION

NOTED the above.

There had been circulated copies of a report by the SESplan Lead Officer presenting details of the expenditure against the approved Operating Budget for 2016 / 2017 up to October 2016, the total forecast of expenditure against the approved Operating Budget for 2016 / 2017 and the Operating Budget for 2017 / 2018, 2018 / 2019 and 2019 / 2020.  Councillor Laird highlighted the fact that Councils were not receiving their own budget settlements until 15 December and suggested that it would be prudent to only approve the budget in principle at this stage.  Members discussed this suggestion and agreed that a further report on the final budget position be presented at their next meeting in March.

DECISION

AGREED to:-

(a)     note the expenditure against the approved Operating Budget for 2016 / 2017 up to October 2016 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)     note the total forecast expenditure against the approved Operating Budget for 2016 / 2017 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(c)     approve in principle the Operating Budget for 2017/2018 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(d)     note the Operating Budgets for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(e)     note that member contributions for financial year 2017/2018 would be set at no greater than £46,550 (excluding VAT) per authority, payable to Fife Council by the 30 April 2017 subject to a review in March 2017; and

(f)      note that member authorities would be required to ratify the decisions above by the end of December 2016 and to make their required contributions subsequently.

The SESplan Lead Officer advised that the period for submitting representations had closed at 5 pm the previous Thursday.  168 representations had been received, which was comparable with SDP1, containing around 800 comments.  These would now be read and any local issues referred to the appropriate local authority.  All representations would be published on the SESplan portal and a list sent to all members of the Joint Committee.

DECISION

NOTED.

There was no other business to consider.

DECISION

NOTED.