Meeting documents

Place Scrutiny Committee
Monday, 14th July, 2014 6.30 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
90 Apologies and substitutions.
 Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Byford (substitute Cllr Holland), Councillor Royston (substitute Cllr Robinson), Councillor Van Looy (substitute Cllr Chalk) and from Councillor Ward (substitute Cllr Endersby).
91 Declarations of interest.
 The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a) Councillors Woodley, Assenheim, Terry and Longley (Executive Councillors) - interest in the referred items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;
(b) Councillor A J Jones - agenda item relating to Draft Corporate Plan & Annual Report - non-pecuniary - Stockvale Group mentioned in report;
(c) Councillor A J Jones - agenda item relating to Community Infrastructure Levy - non-pecuniary - founder member of ‘Friends of Kent Elms Library';
(d) Councillor Terry - agenda item relating to Community Infrastructure Levy -pecuniary interest - withdrew;
(e) Councillor Mulroney - agenda items relating to - Community Infrastructure Levy; Draft Corporate Plan & Annual Report - non-pecuniary - member of LTC;
(f) Councillor Flewitt - agenda item relating to Question from member of public - non-pecuniary - questioner known to him;
(g) Councillor Flewitt - agenda item relating to Community Infrastructure Levy - non-pecuniary - co-founder ‘Friends of Kent Elms Library';
(h) Councillor McMahon - agenda item relating to Community Infrastructure Levy - non-pecuniary - likely to be an allotment holder;
(i) Councillor Burling - agenda item relating to Update on the delivery of London Southend Airport Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) - non-pecuniary - commercial helicopter pilot;
(j) Councillor Terry - agenda item relating to Update on the delivery of London Southend Airport Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) - non-pecuniary - clients;
(k) Councillor A J Jones - agenda item relating to Update on the delivery of London Southend Airport Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) - pecuniary interest - withdrew;
(l) Councillor A J Jones - agenda item relating to In depth scrutiny project - one suggestion mentioned LSA and promoting Southend - non-pecuniary - BRERA represents LSA and VisitEssex; mention of seafront tourist industry - BRERA represents Stockvale Group;
(m) Councillor Woodley - agenda item relating to Draft Corporate Plan & Annual Report - non-pecuniary - BERA mentioned.
92 Questions from Members of the Public.
 Councillor Terry, the Executive Councillor for Public Protection, Waste and Transport, responded to 2 written questions received from Mr Webb.
93 Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 7th April, 2014
 Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 7th April, 2014 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.
94 Monthly Performance Report (April 2014)
Business for item 94
Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.
95 Petition - Removal of Taxi Rank on Campfield Road
Business for item 95
Resolved:-

1.That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

"That the existing taxi rank be retained and that the line markings be removed from the former taxi rank in Avon Way."

2. That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 39.2, the matter be referred to Council.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Terry.
96 Draft Corporate Plan & Annual Report - 2014, incorporating priorities of the Joint
Administration
Business for item 96
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That the Council's draft Corporate Plan and Annual Report 2014, incorporating the priorities of the Joint Administration as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2. That the specific commitments set out in paragraphs 2.7 (d) - (h) of the Joint Administration Agreement attached at appendix 2 to the submitted report, be endorsed. These will be progressed within timescales appropriate to the matter in question and, in particular, consultation will take place on need and viability and a report will be brought forward on community facilities in central Southend as soon as possible.

3. That previous Council decisions in relation to Shoeburyness flood defences, Delaware and Priory care homes and the library service be made the subject of detailed review with terms of reference as follows:

(a) Shoeburyness Flood Defences

To review the current preferred option for coastal protection at Shoebury Common, as well as the previous options which were considered; and identify a coastal protection scheme that will be more acceptable to local residents and still provide the necessary standard of protection, safeguard the local environment and offer value for money.

The review will be completed as soon as possible and a report will be presented to Cabinet, after pre-Cabinet scrutiny at the Place Scrutiny Committee.

(b) Delaware & Priory Care Homes

The review will consider the decision to close Priory House and options for the redevelopment of Delaware House.

The review will:

- Consider all information relating to the original decision;

- Re-examine the financial information to consider whether the financial situation has substantially changed since the original decision was made in November 2013; and

- Consider whether all financially viable options have been considered taking into account the condition of Priory and Delaware House, the financial circumstances of the Council, future projected needs of the local population, availability of any new alternatives and the outcome of the consultation.

The review will make one of the following recommendations:

- The original decision made in November 2013 is endorsed and implementation should continue;
- The original decision made in November 2013 is not endorsed and implementation should stop with immediate effect; or

- The original decision made in November 2013 is not endorsed as it stands and the following alternative course of action is proposed.....

The review will be completed as soon as possible and a report will be presented to Cabinet, after pre-Cabinet scrutiny at the People Scrutiny Committee.

(c) Library Service

Whilst accepting many of the outcomes and recommendations made in the approved Library Strategy, it is the Joint Administration's intention to undertake a light touch review to reconsider the decisions that relate to the operation and management of the Library branch network. In particular this would look at the proposed staffing structure necessary to support the library branch network and the appropriate use of and by community groups and volunteers.

The review will be completed as soon as possible and a report will be presented to the September 2014 Cabinet."

Note:- This is a Council Function
Executive Councillor:- Woodley
97 Community Infrastructure Levy
Business for item 97
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That in accordance with the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended), planning obligations under Section 106 (S.106) of the Town and Country Planning Act be continued after April 2015 to secure affordable housing and site specific mitigation measures.

2. That consultation be undertaken on the basis of the proposal to have a nominal £10/sqm rate for "All other uses" and three Residential Charging Zones (£20, £30, £60/sqm) as outlined in paragraphs 3.14, 3.15 and 4.1 of the submitted report and that the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule (PDCS) be amended accordingly:

Development Type

Residential - Zone 1 (Market areas 1-5) (Proposed CIL rate: £20)

Residential - Zone 2 (Market area 6) (Proposed CIL rate: £30)

Residential - Zone 3 (Market areas 7 & 8) (Proposed CIL rate: £60)
3. That consultation be undertaken on the basis of the documents appended to the submitted report for the CIL consultation (subject to the amendment outlined in resolution 2 above).

4. That the programme for the CIL consultation be approved (as outlined in appendix 1 to the submitted report) in order to implement a Charging Schedule in 2015.

5. That the Corporate Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, be authorised to make minor amendments to the CIL consultation documents in response to any recommendations made by the Planning Advisory Service.

6. That the Corporate Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, be authorised to proceed to the Draft Charging Schedule (DCS) and submission stage if no material modifications are required following the 6 week consultation for the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor: Assenheim.
This matter had previously been subject to pre-Cabinet Scrutiny.
98 Licensing Act 2003 - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy
Business for item 98
Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

"That the draft revised Policy document be approved for consultation."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Assenheim.
99 Highways and Transport Capital Programme
Business for item 99
Resolved:-

1. That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

"1.1 That the successful allocation of funds through various Government and others sources for the financial year 2014/15, be noted.

1.2 That the implementation of the allocated Integrated Transport and Highways Maintenance blocks, Council Capital and Local Sustainable Transport Fund, and other identified allocations for 2014-2015, as set out in appendices 1 and 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

1.3 That the Corporate Director for Place and the Head of Finance and Resources (financial elements), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, Waste and Transport, be authorised to make any minor variations to the programme, or scheme or project costs."

2. That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 39.2, the matter be referred to Council.

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor: Terry.
100 Review of Sex Establishment Licence Fees
Business for item 100
Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

"That the revised fees for sex establishments' licences of £1,350 for new licence applications and £1,000 for a renewal from 2014/15, be approved."

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Assenheim.
101 Update on the delivery of London Southend Airport Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP)
Business for item 101
Resolved:-

1. That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

"1.1 That the report be noted.

1.2 That the proposed schedule of main modifications, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, together with the further changes circulated at the meeting, be approved and the JAAP be consulted on, in accordance with the timetable for adoption in the Local Development Scheme.

1.3 That the Corporate Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, be authorised to make further minor amendments to the proposed schedule of main modifications that may be required and to then commence consultation.

1.4 That following completion of the consultation and pending receipt of the Final Report of the Inspector, a further report be presented to Cabinet on 11th November along with a recommendation to adopt the JAAP as planning policy."

2. That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 39.2, the matter be referred to Council.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Assenheim.
102 Suggested in depth Scrutiny projects - 2014 / 15
Business for item 102
Resolved:

1. That the in-depth scrutiny project for 2014/15 be - ‘Understanding erosion taking place on the Foreshore'.
2. To note that the following Members have been appointed to the Panel, which will manage the in depth project - Councillor Flewitt (Chairman), Councillors Ayling, Byford, Jarvis, Moyies, Mulroney, Royston and Ward.
3. To note the information attached at Appendix 3 to the Report, the summary of work of the 3 Scrutiny Committees during 2013 / 2014.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function.
18.30 / 20.50

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor Flewitt (Chairman),
Councillors D Garston (Vice-Chairman), Ayling, Burling, Chalk*, Endersby*, Holland*, Jarvis, Jones, Kenyon, J McMahon, Moyies, Mulroney, Robertson, Robinson*, Ware-Lane and Wexham

(*Substitute in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31)
In attendance:
Councillors Woodley, Assenheim, Terry and Longley (Executive Councillors)
Councillor Courtenay
J K Williams, F Abbott, A Lewis, N Harris, P Geraghty, D Patel and P Mathieson

Business

ItemBusiness
94The Committee considered Minute 59 of Cabinet, the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) covering the period to end April 2014 which had been referred to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration. The Committee additionally had before it the latest MPR to end May 2014, which had been circulated on 9th July 2014.
95The Committee considered Minute 58 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to Scrutiny (Cabinet item 4 refers). This concerned the petition, on behalf of residents requesting the Council to remove the taxi rank directly outside the Health Centre on Campfield Road. (The petition had been referred to Cabinet in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.6).

In response to questions, the Corporate Director for Place agreed to provide a written response to Members of the Committee about public transport in the area.
96The Committee considered Minute 62 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to all 3 Scrutiny Committees (Cabinet Book 1, item 7 refers), together with a report of the Chief Executive & Town Clerk presenting the Council's Corporate Plan and Annual Report for 2014.

In response to questions, the Executive Councillor for Public Protection, Waste & Transport confirmed that details of any consultancy costs incurred would be made available to Members.
97The Committee considered Minute 69 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to Scrutiny (Cabinet Book 3, item 14 refers), together with a report by the Corporate Director for Place updating Members on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and outlining the CIL consultation exercise along with a programme for the adoption of a CIL Charging Schedule in 2015.

Members received the Minutes of the meeting of the Local Development Framework Working Party held on 25th June 2014 at which consideration had been given to the CIL.
98The Committee considered Minute 70 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to Scrutiny (Cabinet Book 2, item 15 refers), together with a report by the Corporate Director for Place setting out a draft revised Licensing Policy Statement as the basis for formal consultation, together with a timetable for the review of the Policy.

The Head of Public Protection agreed to make a minor typographical correction to the text at section 14.6 of the Policy.
99The Committee considered Minute 71 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to Scrutiny (Cabinet Book 2, item 16 refers), together with a report by the Corporate Director for Place outlining the highways and transport related Capital Programme for 2014/15, funded through the Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3), Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), Council Capital and other related funding sources.

The Committee additionally received a presentation from the Group Manager Strategic Transport & Planning Policy Group who provided further information about the LTP3, which provides the Council's transport strategy, policies and objectives in the context of a 15 year plan; future opportunities; efficiency gains through the LED streetlighting project and GAIST Asset Management; the prioritisation criteria and the highways asset management survey project.

In response to questions, the Corporate Director for Place agreed to provide a written response to Members of the Committee on the length of time contactors have to repair / rectify damages caused to the highway.
100The Committee considered Minute 72 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to Scrutiny (Cabinet Book 2, item 17 refers), together with a report by the Corporate Director for Place detailing the implications of the Westminster City Council sex shop licensing ruling and the impact upon the Council's (SBC) fees and charges.
101The Committee considered Minute 73 of the Cabinet, which had been referred to Scrutiny (Cabinet item 19 refers), together with a report by the Corporate Director for Place on the progress made with the London Southend Airport & Environs Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP), along with the outcome of the Examination in Public (EIP) held by an independent Government appointed planning inspector. The report set out the process for progressing the JAAP to adoption in accordance with the Local Development Scheme timetable, which included a period of statutory consultation on the main modifications agreed at the EIP. Cabinet had received a short addendum with some modifications to the JAAP made by the Planning Inspector: the Committee asked that a further copy be distributed.
102Services concerning the possible in depth scrutiny projects to be undertaken by the Scrutiny Committee in 2014/15. The report also attached some information about the work carried out by the Scrutiny Committees in the 2013 / 14 Municipal Year.

The Committee noted that the 2013/14 project would not be completed. Following discussion, it was decided that rather than amalgamate the project into a new review, that a new topic would be selected.

 

Navigation:

Get the best from this site

We use simple text files called 'cookies'. Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used. For more information, including how to turn cookies off, see more about cookies - or simply click the Continue button to use this site as normal.