Issue - meetings

To adopt the Sustainable Community Strategy.

N.B: Copies of the Sustainable Community Strategy can be viewed on the Council’s website as part of the supplementary pack to this agenda and are available upon request from Democratic Services. Printed copies have been circulated separately to Council Members. Would Members please bring their copy to the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendation from Cabinet in respect of the Sustainable Community Strategy, which was circulated at the meeting.

Cabinet had considered the final draft of the Sustainable Community Strategy, at its meeting on 19 July 2010. The Strategy had also been considered by the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 15 July and the following comments had been made: -

·The document was well written and clear.

· A clear definition of a town is needed – the Strategy should refer to the fact  

  that the LDF process will address this. 

· Members questioned whether or not producing such a strategy represented

  value for money.

· Members noted that the strategy was aspirational and not compulsory.

· Members were disappointed that the contribution of agriculture, rural

   economy and productiveness of land, had not been given sufficient

   emphasis or greater reference, throughout the strategy.

· That any reference to the PCT should be replaced with health services

In considering these comments Cabinet had agreed that the following words be inserted as an additional bullet point under the heading ‘We have a strong, sustainable economy’ on page 17 (Cheshire East in 2005, Our Vision):-

‘Farming and agriculture are valued and supported for the contribution they make to Cheshire East’s economy and the distinctiveness of our rural communities.’

RESOLVED

That, subject to the inclusion of the additional words detailed above, the Sustainable Community Strategy be approved and adopted.