(a)       Chair’s Introduction

Prior to the consideration of the matters set out in the agenda, the Chair outlined their expectations of the standard of conduct and behaviour to be shown at the meeting.

(b)       Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Burton (substitute: Councillor Anne Jones), Buckley (substitute: Councillor Dear), Dent (substitute: Councillor Cowan) and Wexham (substitute: Councillor Collins).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public relating to business included in the agenda for the meeting.

The Committee received a presentation and report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place), by way of pre-Cabinet scrutiny, that provided an update on the Council’s due diligence, the proposed transaction and the next steps in relation to the development of land ant Fossetts Farm. The report also sought agreement to proceed to the exchange of contracts for the updated transactional arrangements subject to the satisfactory (to the Council) completion of due diligence and a range of other conditions to secure the Council’s, and related party interests.

The Committee discussed the matter in some detail and asked a number of questions that were responded to by the Leader of the Council, the Executive Director (Environment and Place) and the Director of Regeneration, Housing & Regulatory Services.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that date of the Cabinet meeting referred to in paragraph 6.1 of the report was incorrect. This should have been the Cabinet meeting that took place on 9 November 2023.

The Executive Director (Environment & Place) also confirmed that the plan attached to the submitted report at Appendix 2 was incorrect.  This incorrectly illustrated that a strip of land from Jones Memorial Recreation Ground being included as part of this the scheme.  This was now not the case and the Leader gave assurances that no land would be required from the Jones Memorial Recreation Ground for this scheme.  He also clarified that the land from Victory Sports Ground had already been granted planning permission for road widening and this may still be required.

Resolved:-

That, subject to the minor correction to the date of the Cabinet meeting referred to paragraph 6.1 of the submitted report to now read “9 November 2023”, the report to Cabinet be noted.

To agree that, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below, on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

This matter was considered in conjunction with Minute No. 75 (Fossetts Farm, Land Transactions) above.