Part Six - Monitoring & Implementation

12.1 Preparation of any plan should never be seen as a once and for all activity. It is essential to check that the plan is being implemented correctly, assess the outcomes that result, and check if these still remain as intended, and as currently desired. This requires a process of continual monitoring, and the potential to review the plan’s policies and proposals as and when necessary.

12.2 The Planning Strategy must respond to changing needs and circumstances, nationally, regionally and at the local level. Monitoring will assess the effectiveness in delivering the vision and spatial objectives, and in implementing the Planning Strategy.

12.3 Each year, as part of the Local Plan process, the Council prepares an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). The principal function of the AMR is to monitor policies and report on their respective performances. It reports progress on the policies and related targets in the Planning Strategy and includes progress against any relevant national and regional targets, and highlights any unintended significant effects of the implementation of the policies on social, environmental and economic objectives. Should annual monitoring reveal any significant failure(s) to meet targets, the Council will take action to rectify the situation as soon as possible

12.4 This monitoring framework has been prepared to assess the performance of the Planning Strategy over its course up to 2028, and will be used in the preparation of the AMR. It will provide the key mechanism for ensuring that the Council’s Vision, Strategic Objectives and Policies are successfully delivered. The monitoring framework sets out a series of key indicators, which will be used to measure the Planning Strategies performance. These comprise a series of indicators set by the Council. They have related targets in order to assess whether policies are working effectively or whether they need to be reviewed or replaced. Where it becomes evident that policies are not performing as initially envisaged or intended, the AMR will suggest the actions that need to be taken to address the issues.

12.5 Not all the indicators will be influenced solely by the implementation of the Planning Strategy and some will also depend on external events. However, given the sustainable development principles embodied in the vision and objectives for the Borough, the indicators provide the basis for identifying where the Planning Strategy needs to be strengthened, maintained or changed in some way.

12.6 The following table sets out the Hastings Monitoring Framework.

Table 9: the Hastings monitoring framework

Strategic Objective	Planning Strategy Policies	Target	Indicator	Source
Objective 1 – Achieve and sustain a thriving economy	DS2; DS3; FA1; FA2; FA3; FA4; FA5; FA6; SC1(e); E1; E2 and E3	Provide the following employment floorspace (m2) by type within the Spatial Areas as set out in the Planning Strategy: West – 36,700m2 East – 11,400m2 Town Centre – 21,700m2 Increase employment floorspace by type (m2)	Total amount of additional employment floorspace (m2) by type: B1(a); (b) and (c) B1 Mixed B2 B8	Annual Monitoring Report
		To retain employment land for employment uses	Amount of employment land lost to residential development (m2)	Annual Monitoring Report
		Provide 20,500m2 of comparison retail floorspace within the Town Centre (preferred location) over the plan period	Total amount of comparison retail floorspace (m2) developed	Annual Monitoring Report
		Achieve an increase in job density within the Borough over the plan period	Job density ratio in relation the South East, East Sussex and other Local Authorities averages	The Office for National Statistics (ONS)
		Reduce the % long term unemployment rate within Hastings	Unemployment rate in Hastings	The Office for National Statistics (ONS)
		Increase the % of the local population who are employed	Employment rate by place of residence	The Office for National Statistics (ONS)
			Employment rate by workplace	The Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Objective 2 - Ensure everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community in which they want to live	DS1; FA1; FA2; FA3; FA4; FA5; SC1; SC3; H1; H2; H3; H4; H5	Maintain a rolling five year housing land supply in accordance with the Planning Strategy requirements	Housing completions by size and type	Annual Monitoring Report
		To provide 200 net new dwellings per annum across the Borough over the plan period	Net additional dwellings completed per annum	Annual Monitoring Report
		To provide the following net additional dwellings within the Spatial Areas as set out in the Planning Strategy West – 1,080-1,270 Central – 1,240-1,500 East – 730-910	Net additional dwellings completed per annum	Annual Monitoring Report
		To bring back into use 255 empty homes over the plan period, or 15 per annum	Empty homes brought back into use	Empty Homes Strategy / Annual Monitoring Report
		To provide at least 2% of housing on residential schemes of 50+ dwellings as fully adapted for wheelchair use and those occupants with restricted mobility	Net additional dwellings completed with full wheelchair accessibility	Annual Monitoring
		To respond to the changing mix and needs of households through a range of dwellings sizes (bed spaces) and types (flats and houses)	Net additional dwellings completed per annum by bed space and type	Annual Monitoring Report
		To assess the suitability of sites for allocation for permanent residential sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling showpeople (pending further investigation)	Net additional pitches for gypsies and travellers within the Borough	Annual Monitoring Report
		To provide affordable housing on individual sites in accordance with Policy H3 of the Planning Strategy	Affordable Housing completions by size and type	Annual Monitoring Report
			Population demographic mix by ward	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		To provide affordable housing within the Borough as a whole in accordance with the HBC Corporate Policy	Affordable Housing completions by size and type in relation to corporate policy target.	Annual Monitoring Report
		To provide a balance between social rented and intermediate affordable housing to increase housing choices locally for local people	Average house prices to average earnings	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF) / Land Registry
			Affordable Housing completions by size and type	Annual Monitoring Report
(1) Objective 3 – Safeguard and improve the town’s environment	FA1; FA2; FA3; FA4; FA5; FA6; SC1; SC2; SC3; SC4; SC6; EN1; EN2; EN3; EN4; EN5; T3; T4	Increase the % of households within 300m of a multifunctional green space/play area by not less than 2% in each of the next 5 years and to at least 82% during the life of the plan	% of households within 300m of a multifunctional green space/play area.	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		All SSSIs to achieve ‘favourable condition’ in accordance with Natural England guidance34	Condition of designated SSSI’s	Natural England / Annual Monitoring Report
		Ensure no net loss in areas of biodiversity importance (ha) within the Borough35	Change in areas of biodiversity (ha)	Annual Monitoring Report
		Maintain and enhance the number of open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standards36	Number of open spaces awarded Green Flag Status over the period of the plan	Annual Monitoring Report
		Reduce the number of Listed Buildings at risk within the Borough	No of Listed Buildings at Risk (%)	English Heritage
		Promote the development of travel plans with submissions for new development in accordance with the targets of the LTP3	LTP3 targets / approaches	East Sussex County Council
		Improve and enhance pedestrian and cycle routes within the Borough	LTP3 targets / approaches	East Sussex County Council
Objective 4 – Addressing the impacts of climate change	FA1; FA2; FA5; SC1; SC2; SC3; SC4; SC5; SC6; SC7; EN2; EN3; EN4 and EN5	Reduce CO2 emissions per capita in the Borough	Per capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the Borough	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		To comply with the Governments timetable to deliver zero carbon homes	Number of developments incorporating combined heat and power systems or District Heating Networks	Annual Monitoring Report
		All developments to be designed with climate change mitigation and adaptation measures	Number of developments incorporating green roofs/walls	Annual Monitoring Report
			Number of developments incorporating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)	Annual Monitoring Report
			Number of developments incorporating multifunctional green space	Annual Monitoring Report
			Number of developments incorporating biodiversity protection and enhancement measures	Annual Monitoring Report
			Number of developments incorporating recycling facilities	Annual Monitoring Report
		All SSSI’s to achieve ‘favourable condition’ in accordance with Natural England guidance	Condition of designated SSSIs	Natural England / Annual Monitoring Report
		Ensure no net loss in areas of biodiversity importance (ha) within the Borough	Change in areas of biodiversity (ha)	Annual Monitoring Report
			Amount of net open space created by new development	Annual Monitoring Report
		Maintain and enhance the number of open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standards	Number of open spaces awarded Green Flag Status over the period of the plan	Annual Monitoring Report
		Increase the % of households within 300m of a multifunctional green space/play area by not less than 2% in each of the next 5 years and to at least 82% during the life of the plan37	% of households within 300m of a multifunctional green space/play area.	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Deliver sport and recreation facilities in accordance with shortfalls identified by the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy	Net completions of sport/recreation facilities	Annual Monitoring Report
			Access to services and facilities by public transport, walking and cycling	Annual Monitoring Report
		Promote the development of travel plans with submissions for new development in accordance with the targets of the LTP338	LTP3 targets / approaches	East Sussex County Council
		Increase the % of the population with reasonable access to town, district and local centres by public transport, walking and cycling (within 15-30 mins travel time)	% of population with reasonable access to town centres by public transport, walking and cycling	Annual Release East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Improve the position of Hastings within the Indices of Multiple Deprivation listings when released	Position within the Indices of Multiple Deprivation listings	Indices of Multiple deprivation (IMD)
(1) Objective 5 – Supporting Sustainable Communities	DS1; FA2; FA3; FA4 FA5; SC1; SC2; SC3; SC4; SC5; SC6; EN2; EN5: EN1; H2: H1; H5: H3; H4; E2; E3; CI1; CI2; CI3; T1; T2; T3 and T4	Increase the % of new development within 30 minutes travel by public transport to GP services, education facilities, employment and a major retail centre	% of new development within 30 minutes travel by public transport to GP services, education facilities, employment and a major retail centre	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Reduce the % of children under 16 living in poverty within Hastings	Number and % of children under 16 living in poverty	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF) – Annual Child Poverty Statistics
		Reduce the % of households in fuel poverty39	Number and % of households in fuel poverty	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Improve the mean household income within the Borough relative to other towns within the East Sussex and the South East average	Average (mean) earnings, residence-based40	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
			Average (mean) earnings, workplace-based41	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		To achieve an annual improvement in property affordability	Annual House price/earnings affordability ratios	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF); Land Registry and Annual Monitoring Report
		To achieve an annual reduction in the numbers of households accepted as homeless (per 1,000 households)	Number and % of homeless households	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		To provide affordable housing on individual sites in accordance with Policy H3 of the Planning Strategy42	Affordable Housing completions by size and type	Annual Monitoring Report
			Population demographic mix by ward	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		To provide affordable housing within the Borough as a whole in accordance with the HBC Corporate Policy43	Affordable Housing completions by size and type in relation to corporate policy target.	Annual Monitoring Report
		Increase % of 15 year olds achieving 5 or more GCSEs, including English and Maths, at Grades A*-C relative to the regional average at suitable points during the plan period	% of Pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Increase % of students 16+ in full time education	% of students 16+ in full time education	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Reduce the % of the working population with no qualifications	% of the working population with no qualifications	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
		Increase the % of the working population with NVQ Levels 3 and 4	% of working age population with NVQ Level 3 and/or 4	East Sussex in Figures (ESiF)
Objective 6 – Provision of an efficient and effective transport system	FA1; FA2; FA; FA3; FA4; CI1; T1; T2; T3; T4	Support delivery of Link Road	Developing the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road. Key dates and targets	Hastings Borough Council / Rother District Council
		Delivery of targets set out in the LTP3	LTP3 Targets and implementation programme	East Sussex County Council
		Increase bus usage within the town in accordance with LTP3 targets	LTP3 Targets and implementation programme	East Sussex County Council
		To work at the local, county and National level to secure improvements to rail links	LTP3 Targets and implementation programme	East Sussex County Council
		Increase the % of the working age population with access to employment by public transport, cycling or walking	LTP3 Targets and implementation programme	East Sussex County Council
		Improve traffic management and reduce congestion on roads within the Borough	LTP3 Targets and implementation programme	East Sussex County Council
		Promote the development of travel plans with submissions for new development in accordance with the targets of the LTP3	LTP3 targets / approaches	East Sussex County Council
Objective 7 – Making the best use of the seafront and promoting tourism	FA6; SC1; SC3; EN1; EN3; EN4; E4 and CI1	Increase the number of tourist accommodation establishments that are accredited nationally to raise the standard of accommodation on offer within the Borough	Number and % of Hotels, B&Bs and other tourist accommodation which have national quality accreditation	South East England Tourist Board (SEETB) / HBC
		Increase tourist accommodation within the Borough, particularly along the seafront	Net additional completions of visitor accommodation	Annual Monitoring Report
			Net losses of visitor accommodation to other uses	Annual Monitoring Report
			Net additional completions of self catering accommodation (caravan / camping sites)	Annual Monitoring Report
		Support developments to extend the tourist season within the Borough	Progress in extending the tourist season	Hastings Borough Council
			Net additional leisure completions along the seafront	Annual Monitoring Report
			Net additional completions / losses of A3 and A4 uses	Annual Monitoring Report

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³⁴ This target and indicator also refers to Objective 3 ³⁵ This target and indicator also refers to Objective 3 ³⁶ This target and indicator also refers to Objective 3 ³⁷ This target and indicator also refers to Objectives 3 and 4 ³⁸ This target and indicator also refers to Objective 3 ³⁹ A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime ⁴⁰ mean earnings, based on where the employee lives ⁴¹ mean earnings, based on where the employee works ⁴² This target and indicator also refers to Objective 2 ⁴³ This target and indicator also refers to Objective 2