Issue - meetings

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relating to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

In accordance with the Procedure Rules for public speaking the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Communities opened the meeting by inviting members of the public to speak.  Some or those present had already submitted their questions beforehand and these were answered in addition to statements and questions that were now put to the Portfolio Holder.

A number of local Members also spoke at this stage.

Keith Williams referred to Ch.11 (Enterprise and Growth).  He considered that the strategy had not been sufficiently analysed, with particular reference to the loss of high value/high technology jobs at AstraZeneca.  He referred to evidence provided by studies of similar situations elsewhere which showed either no growth or further loss of jobs 3 years on.   As a result he recommended that a mixed use strategy should be adopted from the outset.

The Portfolio Holder responded that, with reference to Alderley Park, statements of support were due shortly from AstraZeneca; he undertook to ensure that previous studies as mentioned above would be investigated further.

In addition Mr Williams had submitted the following question prior to the meeting: - Site CS29 Alderley Park

The plan now includes consideration of the Alderley Park site indicating that high value development of parts of the site may be permitted to finance development of the Science for Life concept.  The developed area of the site is in the region of 35ha, more than twice that allocated to employment in Macclesfield’s Strategic sites.  The site is clearly divided into two sections (26ha and 9ha).  Given that no previous redevelopment of similar research sites closed by major pharmaceutical companies has maintained employment at previous levels would it not be prudent adopt a mixed use strategy from the outset? 

The Northern Area Manager Spatial Planning responded that some element of mixed use may well be necessary to support changes at this site, however at the current time the Council is part of a high level task force which seeks to maintain significant employment at this site.  The facility is well placed to retain an employment capability and conversely does not possess many of the linkages that might make other uses more suited to the site.

Manuel Golding (Residents of Wilmslow) read out a letter that had been sent to Mr Nick Boles MP which included reference to the lack of access to research documents, which would not be available for the next 3-4 weeks, meaning that the Council’s Strategy could not be properly assessed against them; it was requested that the consultation be postponed to allow the Core Strategy to be reviewed against this research.  (This letter is reprinted in full under the submission by Stuart Kinsey.)

The Portfolio Holder responded that all the necessary website addresses and links had been made available to gain access to the documentation referred to.  It was confirmed that hard copies of the documents would be on deposit at various locations for members of the public who had problems gaining access electronically.

In addition Mr Golding had submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11