Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included in this agenda

In relation to a review of the LEP funding, which was an item contained within the Work Programme, the Chair, Councillor Gardner stated that she was employed at Keele University and that this body was in receipt of grant funding; Councillor Loades stated that he was a Cabinet member for Staffordshire County Council.

An apology was received from Councillor Hambleton.

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:    That, with the following amendment to paragraph 3 of Item 3 – Newcastle Economic Development Strategy: Year Four Review and Five Year Action Plan to read:-

Take up of the training offered to market stall holders had been disappointing, however 18 entries had been received in relation to Business Boost 2015 and 13 went through to the final round.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 March be agreed as a correct record.

Members went on to consider items for future scrutiny within the work programme as follows.

In relation to the issue of the Community Infrastructure Levy, (CIL), it was noted that this was scheduled to be discussed by Cabinet at their October meeting and that there was little prospect of a CIL for Newcastle under Lyme area in isolation of the Local Plan.

Agreed          That the item concerning Superfast Broadband be removed from the work plan as members had little influence in this area.

It was noted that a planning application was due to be considered in August for the Ryecroft redevelopment.

With regard to the asset management strategy and the disposal of land, it was pointed out that if any further areas were considered these would be reported to Cabinet and subject to call in.

It was pointed out that the Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee no longer had a financial investment in the Kidsgrove Town Centre Partnership.  The portfolio holder would offer support, where possible, to help the groups involved to build a more harmonious relationships. However, in response to a member request it was:-

Agreed            That a half yearly report on the Kidsgrove Town Centre Partnership be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee for consideration. 

Members considered a possible review of the Business Support Helpline.

Agreed          That a performance report concerning the use of the Business Helpline be submitted to the September meeting of this Committee.

The Chair asked members to contribute to this report and to be a point of contact within their area of expertise.

Optimising the economic benefits of HS2 and a review of the research commissioned for the Northern Gateway Development Zone was discussed.   The Executive Director, Regeneration and Development advised that circa £2m of consultancy work had been offered to the market and that the Borough Council should be sited on this brief.  In this respect it was suggested that the HS2 group be reformed and should to be updated on timescales etc.

Agreed          That the Executive Director, Regeneration and Development be requested to ensure that Councillors Proctor and Northcott together with the Chair be kept fully up to date and briefed on any developments including the timescales relating to HS2.

Moving on, the Executive Director, Regeneration and Development explained the background to the item relating to the possible shared service for building control.

Agreed          That officers continue with work relating to the building control shared service and that a report be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee in due course.

Councillor Loades was concerned with the number of CCGs. Councillor Loades also considered that it was also important to ensure that there was sufficient provision of GP surgeries when new housing was developed. Councillor Loades was advised that was a matter for possible joint scrutiny with the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

 Agreed         That Councillor Loades and Councillor Proctor together with and the Chair review the issue of the impact on highways of planning developments across the Borough and the A34 traffic policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.

As the date of the September meeting of the Committee coincided with Group meetings on that evening it was decided that the date be changed from 5 September to Thursday 15 September, 2016 commencing at 7pm.