Agenda and minutes

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend this meeting.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Luke Stephens.

To invite Councillors to declare any interests they may have in items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

1.         To give notice of any items for future meetings or for the Forward Plan, including any scheduled for this meeting, but now carried forward or deleted; and

2          any other relevant announcements.

(Oral report)

The Leader advised that the following items of business, scheduled on the Forward Plan to be dealt with at this meeting, had been rescheduled to later meetings of the Committee:

• Concessionary Rents Policy; and
• Polling Stations – Review.

He also advised that the final report of the Promoting Sporting Participation Task and Finish Group would be dealt with at a alter meeting of the Executive Committee in the light of the rescheduling of the most recent meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Leader commented on the success of the Halfords Tour Series Bike Race the previous week. Other Members joined in expressing their enthusiasm for the event and it was suggested that any comments or suggestions for future events be fed back to Officers and/or the Town Centre Partnership.

The Leader also commented on the EDL March the previous weekend, noting that it had caused minimal disruption and that he had written to the Chief Constable of the West Mercia Constabulary to thank him and his officers for their assistance in managing the event. Members expressed their pride at the response of local people to the event and proposed that the Council follow through with the success of the counter-demonstration and support by helping in the organization of a community event.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 24th April, 2012.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 24th April 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To seek approval for implementation of a Gating Order at Crabbs Cross Lane.

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report asking it to consider the implementation of a Gating Order made by Worcestershire County Council under s.2 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The Gating Order was in respect of a pathway running between Crabbs Cross Lane and St. Peters Close, Crabbs Cross.

It was noted that a number of alternative solutions had been tried over the years to alleviate this long-standing problem, none of which had proved successful. The five year pilot scheme Gating Order had been developed in consultation with local residents, and the local Ward Members, who were present at the meeting, confirmed that reaction to the move was positive. There was concern expressed at the length of time it had taken for this matter to have been satisfactorily dealt with. The impact of intervening changes in legislative arrangements should measures remain in preparation for an extended period, such as on this occasion, was also commented upon. Officers noted that there were wider lessons to be learned from this issue with regard to the decision-making process and responding to public concerns.

RESOLVED that

the implementation of the Gating Order for the Crabbs Cross Lane pilot scheme be approved, which would have the effect of allowing gates/barriers to be erected between Crabbs Cross Lane and St Peters Close at the location identified on the map attached to the report at Appendix 1.

To seek approval for Redditch Borough Council’s Response to Stratford-on-Avon’s Core Strategy.

(Report attached)

The Committee considered a report setting out the response from Officers to the Stratford-on-Avon Draft Core Strategy for endorsement. Members were informed that it had not been possible for the response to be agreed through the normal decision-making process in time to meet the consultation deadline. The response had been discussed at the Planning Advisory Panel, however.

Members were particularly interested in the possibility of development along the A435 corridor and on the land between Studley and Redditch, noting variously the potential benefits to Studley of development of part of that land and the problems with access from the A435 in the Mappleborough Green area. Officers explained that they regarded the area generally as providing pockets of opportunity for development.

RECOMMENDED that

the Officer response (attached at Appendix 1 to the report) to the Stratford-on-Avon Draft Core Strategy, as submitted to Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SoADC) on 29th March 2012 (in line with consultation period dates), be endorsed.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17th April 2012.

There are no recommendations to consider.

(Minutes attached)

Members received the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17th April 2012 be received and noted.

To consider the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Shared Services Board.

(Minutes attached)

The Committee received the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Shared Services Board.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Shared Services Board held on 19th April 2012 be received and noted.

To receive and consider any outstanding minutes or referrals from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Executive Panels etc. since the last meeting of the Executive Committee, other than as detailed in the items above.

There were no minutes or referrals to consider under this item.

To consider, for monitoring / management purposes, an update on the work of the Executive Committee’s Advisory Panels and similar bodies, which report via the Executive Committee.

(Report attached)

Members considered the latest version of the report on the Council’s Advisory Panels and similar bodies. It was noted that there were meetings of the Grants Panel arranged for 6th June 2012 and the Planning Advisory Panel on 30th May 2012.

To consider an update on the actions arising from previous meetings of the Committee.

(Report attached)

Members considered and noted the most recent version of the Committee’s Action Monitoring report.