Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

The Chair for the meeting was Councillor Mark Goldsmith, this was because Councillor Nick Mannion needed to self-isolate following a positive Covid-19 test.  The Chair advised a number of the Committee were also self-isolating which had resulted in an unusual number of apologies.

Apologies had been received from:

Councillor James Barber (Councillor Steve Hogben was substituting), Councillor Suzanne Brookfield (Councillor Carol Bulman was substituting), Councillor Marilyn Houston (Councillor San Corcoran was substituting), Councillor David Jefferay (Councillor Craig Browne was substituting), Councillor Andrew Kolker (Councillor Steven Edgar was substituting), Councillor Nick Mannion (Councillor Liz Braithwaite was substituting), and Councillor Janet Clowes.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

There were no members of the public present who wished to speak.

To approve the revised Asset Transfer Policy for consultation.

Peter Skates, Director of Growth and Enterprise introduced the item to the Committee.

He advised the Committee that the Localism Act had brought about the need for the Asset Transfer Policy in 2011, since then there had been revisions to the Policy in 2016 and it was now time to review the Policy.

The Committee were advised some of the benefits to the proposed revisions would ensure a renewed confidence in the process, a reduced cost to the Council, more social and environmental impacts and a drive forward for projects.

The Committee agreed that the level of detail in the business plan should reflect the scale of the asset.  There was some discussion about the low level of response from Town and Parish Councils.  Peter Skates gave reassurances to the Committee that the expressions of interest from the Town and Parish Councils indicated a desire for land property assets, there was no pressure to accept assets.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

a)    endorse and approve the revised Policy­­; and

b)    delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Chair of the Committee to consider the results of the consultation and approve the final version of the policy subject to any amendment to the policy being minor.

To note the decision of the Finance Sub-Committee to allocate the approved capital and revenue budgets, related policy proposals and earmarked reserves to the Economy and Growth Committee.

Paul Goodwin attending the meeting via Microsoft Teams and introduced the item to the Committee.

The Committee noted that the budget included Public Rights of Way (PRoW) budget lines and under the Terms of Reference (ToR) this area of work fell under the remit of the Highways and Transport Committee.  Peter Skates, Director for Growth and Enterprise advised the Committee that this was due to the allocation of budgets rather than aligning with specific Committees.

There was some discussion about Crewe Town Board and the Handforth Garden Village, and a figure of £2million identified in Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) was raised to determine if this was now available for other projects following recent announcements of funding in Crewe.  Peter Skates agreed to give written responses to the queries.

The Committee asked about the status of the Development of a Transit Site, Karen Carsberg, Housing Strategy Manager advised this work was progressing and was currently awaiting a date to be scheduled for the Committee.

The was agreement within the Committee that further training on finance and financial matters would be valuable.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    the decision of the Finance Sub-Committee to allocate the approved capital and revenue budgets, related policy proposals and earmarked reserves to the Economy and Growth Committee be noted;

b)    the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) timelines be noted; and

c)    the supplementary estimates and virements be noted.

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

The Committee considered it’s Work Programme.  Peter Skates, advised this was an opportunity to check the forthcoming agenda items and note any changes.

Since the agenda had been published, there was one change for the Committee to note:

1) The scheduled Committee date of the 15^th November 2021 had been changed to 30 November 2021. 

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be received and noted.

To receive an update on the procurement framework and on the sites which have been selected to go through the framework.

The Committee considered the update to the Housing Development Framework, on the procurement process and site selection.  The Chair reminded the Committee that during this item they were only considering recommendations 2.1.1, 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 as 2.1.2 was to be discussed in Part Two.

RESOLVED: That the:

a)    progress which has been made in relation to the procurement of the Housing Development Framework be noted;

b)    disposal route of the dormer Vernon Infant School, Poynton be approved through the Housing Development Framework; and

c)    the final decisions relating the disposal of these sites be undertaken in line with decision making processes for land and property disposals as outlined in the constitution be noted.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider the appendix to the report.

The Committee considered recommendation 2.1.2 from the Housing Development Framework update report.

RESOLVED:

That the disposal route of the sites which have been identified for progression through the Housing Development Framework be supported.