To discuss any other matters arising.

The Co-Chair Councillor Bateson asked the forum members if they had any ideas or requests for items to be discussed at future meetings, as this was the main aim of the forum.

Nick Philp said that he had asked for a member of the planning department to attend the meeting to address some issues that existed amongst the farmers. Jeffrey Copas supported this request for a planning officer to attend the next meeting and stated that he desired some explanations as to why the planning process was taking so long. He added that it was important to improve access to the countryside, which fell under the planning department. Jeffrey Copas said that it was important to plan for example 50 years ahead.

Councillor Clark apologised that he had to leave the forum meeting to attend another meeting, however thanked farmers for their time and added that he wanted to know the real problems that they faced, so that they could be addressed.

(Councillor Clark and Councillor Cannon left the meeting)

Councillor Coppinger stated that he was not aware of the request for a planning officer to attend the meeting but reminded members that no live applications would be discussed. He added that if they still desired an officer to attend the next meeting, then he would ensure that one attended.

Alan Keene asked if there was a policy on the 70% of farmers land and what the borough wished to do with it. He added that if there was no existing policy then could this be looked at before the next meeting. He asked if Councillors were thinking expansively about planning and moving forward.

Councillor Hunt asked if the farmers could get together and forward their requests for meeting topics to the Co-Chair William Emmett. She also added that she had discussed with the Leader of the Council about adding a condition to planning applications. If the application was approved, then the condition would have to come into force.

(Tim Parry left the meeting)

Jeffrey Copas expressed concern over future generations struggling and giving up due to the threat of pressure groups and that he wanted to know what Councillors wanted to know from the forum members, rather than the other way around.

The Co-Chair William Emmett said that he would like to know what the borough’s population was 40 years ago. He said this could then suggest how many people come to the borough to enjoy the rural side of it. Jeffrey Copas agreed with this. He said that a survey showed 98% of residents wanted to preserve the borough’s greenbelt. He added that only 5% of residents had completed this though.

David Scott, Head of Communities said that he would take the points raised offline and liaise with Andrew Durrant, Executive Director of Place and said that he would most likely be happy to join the next meeting to address some points raised by the forum members.

Jeffrey Copas said that it would be useful in the summer months for Councillors to attend a farm in person to get a feel for what the current situations were that faced farmers.