Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations on interest.

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 2013.

Members drew attention to page 5 of the agenda and stated that                       there had been an agreement that each asset be classified as a brownfield or greenfield site.

An amendment was also made to the paragraph relating to Wedgewood Avenue, the amended minute read:

A member informed the Committee that Wedgewood Avenue in the Westlands was used by the Cycle Club almost every week as a practice place for training children and occasionally as an overflow car park and when there were special events at the Community Centre.

The Committee also stated that the real question to be addressed under paragraph 5 on page 6 of the agenda was:

Were they the right sites and why were they chosen?

Resolved:     That the minutes be agreed as a correct record with the above alterations.

The Committee considered a report relating to further developments from the HS2 Working Group. The Group had met on 19^th February and 24^th February to consider alternative proposals that had been put forward by the Stoke on Trent Coty Council.

The Chair stated that the Working Group had agreed that there be cautious approval in relation to the proposals from the City Council and had agreed that it should re employ the consultant to look at specific areas including Kidsgrove Railway Station.  

Concerns were raised however that the guillotine had now been lowered in relation to the consultation and there were queries as to where the City Council would channel its new proposals and responses.

A Member suggested that the Committee cautiously welcome the work being carried out by Stoke on Trent City Council. A vote was taken and all bar one were in favour.

Resolved:     That the Committee cautiously welcome the work being carried out by Stoke on Trent City Council and continue to monitor and consult with them on a regular basis.

An A3 version of the appendix will be provided for the meeting.

A report was submitted in order to provide the Committee with the opportunity to comment on the Economic Development Strategy Draft Year Three Action Plan in advance of its consideration by Cabinet.

The Committee considered each area of the plan in detail and highlighted the areas it considered most important for future development and scrutiny and brought to the attention of officers any omissions that members felt should be included in the plan.

Resolved:     That the comments from the Committee be passed to the Cabinet when it considers the strategy at the meeting to be held on Wednesday 18^th June 2014.

Resolved:     a)         That the following be added to the work plan:

·        Operational outcomes of the LEP

b)         That Cushman Wakefield be invited to attend a future meeting of this Committee and if required that the meeting be held at an earlier time to accommodate them.