Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Andrew Brazier, Adam Griffin and Brenda Quinney.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9^th September 2013.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9^th September 2013 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

(a)       The Mayor’s communications and announcements were as follows:

i)          Former Councillor Tom Wareing

It was with great sadness that the Mayor formally advised the Council of the death in mid-September of former Councillor Tom Wareing. The Mayor paid tribute to former Councillor Wareing and welcomed his widow, Beryl and one of his four sons, Paul, to the meeting.

Members of the Council were invited to offer up words they might wish to offer in memory of former Councillor Wareing and of his services to the Borough.

The Leader of the Opposition commenced the tributes to former Councillor Wareing, commenting on the active part he played in the life of the Borough, being a regular writer of letters to the local newspapers and providing advice to her and her colleagues up until recent times. The high regard in which Councillor Wareing had been held was attested by the numbers who had been present at the commemorative service to celebrate his life.

The Leader of the Council then led other Members in expressing their thoughts on the character and achievements of former Councillor Wareing. The consistency of Councillor Wareing’s views and his faith were commented on by a number of Members. The meeting was advised that the decision had been taken on this occasion to fly the flag at half-mast over the Town Hall given the significant role former Councillor Wareing had played on the Council.

Members observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect and it was subsequently

RESOLVED that

the Council formally place on record its gratitude to former Councillor Tom Wareing for his service to the Council and to the community.

ii)         Mayoral Functions

The Mayor advised that since the last meeting of the Council she and the Deputy Mayor had attended a number of engagements, including her own Civic Service in September, Education Awards at NEW College, an Apple Day at Headless Cross Community Orchard, welcoming some Palestinian visitors to Woodrow First School, the County Harvest Service in Worcester, a Shrievalty Service at Worcester Cathedral, the Friends of Gruchet Quiz Night, Reading Challenge Awards at Redditch Library, an event with the Severn Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service at the Alexandra Hospital and Pershore Civic Service the previous day.

iii)        Forthcoming Events

The Mayor advised that forthcoming events included the Mayor of Evesham’s Indian buffet, a Business Breakfast with the local MP, her own Skittles Evening on Friday, the opening of a new business unit, the opening of a new bridge at Redditch Golf Club, the Remembrance Day Service and the Council’s Bonfire Night Display.

iv)        Births

The Mayor congratulated Councillor Simon Chalk on the recent birth of his baby son and Town Centre Manager, Lindsey Berry on the recent birth of her first child.

(b)       The Leader’s announcements were as follows:

i)          Special Olympics Redditch

The Leader led the Council in congratulating the Special Olympics Redditch Team which had competed at the recent Special Olympics at Bath and had come away with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To consider the following Questions for the Leader, which have been submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9.2:

1.         “Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.4 – Proposal for Houses off Far Moor Lane”

Councillor Adam Griffin

2.         “Council-owned Housing Land”

            Councillor Michael Chalk

3.         “Local Plan No.4 – Statement of Community Involvement”

            Mr Robert McColl

4.         “Proposal for Houses off Far Moor Lane”

            Mr Robert McColl

(Questions attached)

The Leader responded to five questions submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9.2 from Councillors David Bush, Michael Chalk and Adam Griffin and Mr Robert McColl as detailed below.

(i)        Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.4 – Proposal for Houses off Far Moor Lane

Councillor Brunner, on behalf of Councillor Griffin, who had submitted his apologies for the meeting, asked the following question:

Would the Leader of the Council agree with me that openness and transparency in local government is important?

In this spirit of openness could he please explain to this Council why residents in my ward of Winyates Green have not been consulted about the proposal to build houses off Far Moor Lane?

Furthermore could he explain why the inclusion of this in LP4 was not discussed at PAP or in any other forum with Councillors?

Would he confirm whether any Winyates Councillors were briefed about this proposal? If so when was this briefing and why was I not included when it occurred?

What will he do to ensure residents of Winyates Green are made aware of this major housing proposal? More importantly, will he commit to keeping the residents of Winyates Green updated on any such proposals?

The Leader replied as follow:

Yes I agree that openness and transparency in local government is important

Officers have confirmed and advised that the item which discussed the inclusion of lands in the A435 corridor came to and was discussed at the Planning Advisory Panel on 18 September 2012.

Since then the sites were featured in the April 2013 version of the draft Local Plan No.4. There have been no changes to the background report ‘A Review of the A435 and Adjoining Lands’ since it was brought to Planning Advisory Panel and therefore featured in the latest Proposed Submission Local Plan No.4.

Residents in all wards were consulted in line with the adopted procedures in the Councils Statement of Community Involvement. The future stages of the Plan’s progression will also follow these procedures, to ensure residents and others are kept up to date.

Councillors were briefed about the contents of the Proposed Submission Plan on 29^th August 2013 (a Conservative group meeting at which I understand you were in attendance) and 6^th September 2013 (a Labour group meeting at which Councillors Yvonne Smith and Phil Mould were in attendance).

There was no supplementary question.

(ii)        Council-owned Housing Land

Councillor Michael Chalk asked the following question:

a)        Will the leader inform this council of every piece of land in the Borough that this council owns and can be used for housing?

b)        Will he detail which is for sale or potential sale?

c)         Will he give assurances to this Council and the residents of this town and outline how he proposes to explore all avenues to sell land rather than give it away for nothing.

d)        How does he propose to ensure that this Council gets best value for the sale of this land?

The Leader  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

No motions had been submitted.

To receive the minutes and consider the recommendations and/or referrals from the following meetings of the Executive Committee:

17^th September 2013

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration include:

• Options for 54 South Street; and
• Finance Monitoring Report 2013/14.

(Reports and decisions attached.)

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 4 – 2013/14)

The Council considered the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 17^th September 2013. With respect to the recommendation from the Committee in relation to Executive Committee Minute 52 – Options for 54 South Street (Previous REDI Centre) – amended recommendations were circulated following contact from a community group seeking to register the property as an Asset of Community Value.

(The Council adjourned at 7.52pm to allow Members the time to consider the amended recommendations. The Council reconvened at 8.00pm)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 17^th September 2013 be received and all recommendations adopted, subject to in respect of Minute 52 - Options for 54 South Street (Previous REDI Centre), it being RESOLVED that

1)        prior to any action being taken on the recommendations at 2 and 3 below, Executive Committee consider the application for 54 South Street to be registered as an Asset of Community Value;

2)        in the event of any community groups not being successful in submitting an appropriate business case for the property (within 6 months of being notified of the intention to sell) that it be marketed for disposal; and

3)        the Head of Finance and Resources agree the final details of any sale, following the receipt of any bids / expressions of interest, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Management.

To formally receive the minutes of the following meetings of the Council’s Regulatory Committees:

Planning Committee -         28^th August 2013

                                                25^th September 2013

Members received the minutes of recent meetings of the Planning Committee.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 28th August and 25^th September 2013 be received and adopted.

There were no Urgent Decisions to note.

To consider any additional items exceptionally agreed by the Mayor as Urgent Business in accordance with the powers vested in her by virtue of Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

(This power should be exercised only in cases where there are genuinely special circumstances which require consideration of an item which has not previously been published on the Order of Business for the meeting.)

There were no separate items of urgent business to consider at this meeting.