Issue - meetings

7.1       The Board considered a report and short presentation on the East Sussex Public Health and Planning Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Board asked a number of questions about the report which are summarised below.

7.2       The Board commented that it was good that Public Health and local planning authorities at the Borough and District councils are working together on this and asked if consideration had been given to working with social landlords and private renting forums/landlord associations.

7.3       Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health responded that the document is essentially about the planning process and the role of local authorities. In regard to housing, the Public Health Team have done some work on health and housing and is working through some of the issues with social housing providers. The Team is also undertaking a new piece of strategic housing work and have employed a strategic housing manager to work in partnership to develop solutions with housing providers and the District and Borough councils.

7.4       Cllr Andy Batsford commented that it would be good for ESCC to take a lead on this issue and asked if the MoU will be applied to the disposal of County Council land.

7.5       Darrell Gale responded that the MoU document was really about the planning system rather than Estates and disposals of assets. The strategic Planning lead for the part of Planning system that ESCC is responsible for is also a signatory of the MoU. It is a useful reminder of the role councils have to play in the management of the assets they hold including highways. Darrell Gale will take forward this work with the strategic Estates Team at ESCC to ensure the MoU is reflected in any disposal and Estates strategies.

7.6       The Board RESOLVED to note the Memorandum of Understanding between the County Council and Borough and District Councils in respect of planning from a Public Health perspective.