Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

None

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers

None

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2009 as a correct record.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To receive an update on the Performance Indicators which fall within the remit of the Committee

Consideration was given to the Performance Indicators which fall within the remit of the Committee. Members noted that the street cleansing service was currently underperforming and agreed to give consideration to this issue at a future meeting of the Committee. Members also agreed that a detailed definition of the performance indicators would be considered at that meeting.

RESOLVED

That detailed definition of the performance indicators and a report on street cleansing be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

To give consideration to the approach being adopted in setting up the new sub regional architecture.

Consideration was given to a report outlining the approach being adopted in developing a new sub regional architecture for Cheshire and Warrington. The report described the process to date, the nature of the new structures being proposed and the timetable for further developments. The Committee was generally supported of the approach; however Members agreed that it must be cost effective and reviewed in the future.

RESOLVED

That the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve the approach being adopted in developing a new sub regional architecture for Cheshire and Warrington, subject to it proving to be cost effective and reviewed in the future.

To receive a presentation and endorse the approach outlined on the draft Economic Development Strategy for Cheshire East

The Committee received a report informing Members that at its meeting held on 11 July 2009, Cabinet gave consideration to a report suggesting that a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy would be developed during 2010 and that a detailed timetable and project plan was in preparation. Members also received a presentation on an initial SWOT analysis of the economy of Cheshire East and why a strategy was required.

The Committee agreed that the rural economy should also be considered and that it may be appropriate to develop a separate strategy for this.

RESOLVED

That the Portfolio Holder be informed that the Committee endorses the approach outlined on the preparation of a draft Economic Development Strategy for Cheshire East subject to consideration being given to developing a separate strategy for the rural economy.

To give consideration to the above developing strategy

The Committee received an outline of the developing Visitor Economic Strategy which would be shaped further with partners. It was noted that the visitor economy strategy is an important contributor to Cheshire East, generating over £600m per annum to the local economy.  Following consideration of the report the Committee agreed that any comments on the Strategy should be submitted to the Head of Regeneration.

RESOLVED

1. That any comments on the Strategy be submitted to the Head of Regeneration.

2. That Cabinet be recommended to approve the strategy subject to consideration being given to any comments received.

Councillor Macrae left the meeting following consideration of the above item.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Regeneration

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation on the Integrated Transport Service which highlighted the current service provisions and overview of a proposed review of the service.  Members of the Committee raised individual transport issues that were relevant to their wards.

It was noted that the former authorities had Public Transport Liaison Committees and that the possibility of having a Committee for Cheshire East should be investigated.

Following detailed consideration of the issues, the Committee agreed that it should receive regular updates on the review.

RESOLVED

1. That the possibility of establishing a Public Transport Liaison Committee for Cheshire East be investigated.
2. That the Committee receive regular updates on the review of Integrated Transport Services.

To endorse the Council’s approach to the climate change agenda to date

The Committee gave consideration to a report on the Council’s approach to the climate change agenda, which included a comprehensive Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy being developed for Cheshire East, one of the components of which would be the production of a Carbon Management Plan. The report also set out the impact on the Council of a new statutory requirement, compliance with the Carbon Reduction Commitment. The Committee agreed that a press release on the Councils commitment to addressing climate change should be issued.

With regard to travel management plans it was agreed that Councillors should also be included and that the reduction in short journeys would be a quick win.

RESOLVED

1. That a press release on the Councils commitment to addressing climate change be issued.
2. That the Council’s approach to the climate change agenda be noted.
3. That the possibility of devising a travel plan for councillors be investigated.

To give consideration to a report on the policies of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan

Consideration was given to a report outlining that all policies contained within local plans were saved for a period of three years following their adoption by virtue of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.  The Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan (CRWLP) was adopted on 12 July 2007, and as such its policies were saved until 11 July 2010. The report set out the Local Planning Authority’s recommendations for saving the policies of the CRWLP beyond July 2010 thereby preventing a policy void.

RESOLVED

That the Environment and Prosperity Committee endorse the recommendations to save all the policies of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan.

That the Portfolio Holder for Performance and Capacity be recommended to approve:

1. The submission of a request to save all the policies of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan beyond July 2010 to the Secretary of State and that the basis for the submission, as set out in appendix 2 of the report.

2. That due to the geographical nature of the document spanning two authorities that the submission is a joint submission to the Secretary of State from Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester

3. That an urgent review of Site Specific Allocations should be carried out at the earliest opportunity in 2010 to take account of any changes in circumstances since the original adoption of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan;

4. That officers report to the next meeting of the LDF Panel on the timetable, resources and options for the review of the allocations.

To give consideration to the Annual Monitoring Report

Consideration was given to a presentation and the draft Annual Monitoring Report prior to it being submitted to the Government Office for the North West. The presentation outlined why and what the Council monitors, the format for the Annual Monitoring report, the Local Development Scheme, social progress, sustainable economic growth, protection and enhancement of the environment, use of natural resources and climate change.

The Committee agreed that any typographical errors be forwarded to the Scrutiny Officer.

RESOLVED

1. That any typographical errors contained within the Annual Monitoring Report 2008/09 be forwarded to the LDF Manager.

2. That the Portfolio Holder for Performance and Capacity be recommended to approve the submission of the Annual Monitoring Report to the Government Office for the North West.

To give consideration to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee

The Committee gave consideration to the extracts of the forward plan, which fell within the remit of the Committee

RESOLVED

That the extracts be noted

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. The Committee agreed to make the following amendments:

1. That a Car Parking Task and Finish Panel comprising of Councillors G M Walton, G Merry, B Dykes, R Fletcher and C Thornley be established to commence immediately.
2. That the item relating to the Queens Restoration be removed from the work programme.
3. That a special meeting of the Committee be arranged to give consideration to the Waste PFI
4. That a Waste Harmonisation Task and Finish Panel be established to commence in January 2010, the Membership for which would be approved at a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be amended to reflect the issues highlighted above