Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Miss Walklate, Cllr Mrs Cornes and Cllr Plant.

Cllr Bailey declared that he was a Member of the Kidsgrove Town Council Management Committee.

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2012.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider current sports development activity within Newcastle Borough, with the opportunity for questions and suggestions from members of the Committee.  

The Committee received a report detailing the current activities for sports development in Newcastle Borough. The Committee were very impressed with the work already being carried out in the Borough and commended Officers on an excellent report. The Chair of the Committee stated that there were some very talented young people in the Borough that the Council needed to help support and it was agreed that the Committee would consider how to get other youngsters involved in sport at a future date.

Resolved:     (a)       That Officers be thanked for providing an excellent and comprehensive report.

(b)       That the Committee consider how to involve more young people in sport at a future date.

To consider an issues and options report approved by Cabinet on 14 November 2012 regarding an allotments service review. All three of the recommendations on the report were approved.

It was requested that the Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of the issues identified, with particular reference to local management, meeting demand and reducing the current and future costs.  

Members considered a report that had been submitted to Cabinet regarding progress with the review of the Allotments Policy and issues which had arisen out of the preliminary work.

The report requested that the topic be referred to this Committee for consideration of the options available to progress the review and that a report on the outcome of the scrutiny and consultation process be brought to a future meeting of the Cabinet, in conjunction with a draft reviewed Allotments Policy.

The three main areas the Committee were requested to consider were the local management of allotments, how to meet future demands and how to reduce current costs.

The Committee agreed that a working group be set up and that the meetings of this working group be themed to include areas such as site visits to Council owned and other allotments, liaison with legal to determine the Councils statutory obligations, how allotments might fit in with the NHS health agenda and communicating with existing plot holders and those on the waiting list.

Members queried whether there was one waiting list for the whole of Newcastle or whether there were vacancies in some areas. Officers confirmed that some allotments did have vacancies but that in some cases this was due to drainage problems or vandalism and was an area that the working group could look into.

The question was also raised regarding people who already had allotments but who did not look after them. Officers confirmed that tenancy agreements were in place and notice could be served but again it was an area that the working group could consider.

It was agreed that the working group be set up and the following Councillors would sit on it: Cllr Cairns, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Mrs Winfield, Cllr Mrs Williams, Cllr Bailey and Cllr Miss Walklate. The date of the first meeting would be scheduled for mid January.

Resolved:      That the working group be set up and the first meeting scheduled for mid January.

To discuss and update the work plans to reflect current scrutiny topics.

Resolved:     That a report detailing the remit of the Committee be circulated with the next agenda.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.