Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Miss Olszewski and Tagg

The following Declarations of interest were given for the disposal of the Knutton Recreation Centre:

Councillors: Cairns, Miss Walklate, Wilkes and Mrs Williams

All Members are on the Newcastle Sports Council

Resolved:-   That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 August, 2011 be agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a Draft Brief for Scrutiny on Third Sector Commissioning. 

Discussion took place and Members queried which ‘neighbouring authorities’ would be involved.  These could include any of the Staffordshire Authorities or Stoke on Trent City Council.

Clarification was requested on contracts which may need to be extended.  There were seven contracts which would expire at the end of March, 2012 and Members were advised that these could either be renewed or alternative actions could be sought.

Members felt that this process required close monitoring and requested that a Working Party be established as soon as possible to scrutinise the matter.

Resolved:-   (i)         That the information be received

(ii)        That a Working Group be established to scrutinise the Third Sector Commissioning contracts 

Consideration was given to a report and Scrutiny Brief relating to the LAP review and the Development Plan which had been requested by the Cabinet on 7 September, 2011.

Consultation had taken place with Parish Councils and other stakeholders although Members stated that no consultation had taken place with Silverdale Parish Council or Kidsgrove Town Council.  This matter would be addressed and a dialogue opened.

Members requested more clarity on where Parish Council’s stood and how  LAP’s and Parish Councils could work together better.

Resolved:-   (i)         That the contents of the report and the development plan

and the comments made be noted.

Members  were advised of the current position regarding Jubilee 2 which was on target to open in January. 

The two year contractual costs were in line with what had been expected in the business plan.

Resolved:-   (I)         That the information be received.

Consideration was given to a report on a draft Brief for Scrutiny for the proposed Consultation Plan for the Bateswood Local Nature Reserve.  A letter from a local  resident was passed to Members voicing concerns about the proposal.

Members were asked how they wished to proceed with this proposal.  Approximately 1000 houses within the catchment area would be consulted along with active organisations, LAP’s, Parish Councils etc.

Members agreed the proposed consultation plan, that the process continue and for the results to be brought back to this committee after the consultation process had ended.

Resolved:-   That the results be brought back to this committee after the

consultation period has ended.

Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the current position regarding the disposal of Knutton Recreation Centre.

Members were advised of the recommendations of Cabinet on 19 October and noted that a public consultation be undertaken prior to any planning application being submitted.  Members agreed that the outcome of the consultation should be seen by this Committee prior to it going to the Cabinet.

Resolved:-   (i)         That the information be received

(ii)               That the results of the consultation be brought to this

committee prior to going to the Cabinet 

Consideration was given to items contained within the Forward Plan which were relevant to this Committee and made the following observations:

Allotment Review

Members agreed to await further review on this item

Community Centres Review

Members requested that a Draft Brief for Scrutiny be brought to the next meeting on this item.

Draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Members requested that the Chair liaise with the Coordinating Committee and Health Scrutiny Chairs to decide upon the best way to approach this item. Options available could be a cross-committee Working Group or a joint meeting of the two committees

Green Space Strategy

This involved a regular review of the Strategy.  A report on this matter would be presented to the Cabinet next March

Resolved:-      (i)         That the information be received and the comments

noted

(ii)               That a draft Brief for Scrutiny be brought to the next

meeting on the Community Centres Review

(iii)             That the Chair liaise with the Chairs of the Coordinating

Committee and Health Scrutiny over the most appropriate

way to scrutinise this issue

(iv)              That a report on the Green Space Strategy be brought to

this Committee next March