To receive from Members any declarations of interest and of any political whip in relation to any agenda item.

Cllr Mrs Ruth Gammons commented that she had received several emails and letter from residents with regard to the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan (Item 10).

Cllr Ken Matthews declared an interest in relation to the Land Rear of Central Garage, Cranfield, Development Brief (Item 11) as a Member of the Cranfield Lower School Board of Governors.

Cllr Ms Caroline Maudlin declared an interest in relation to Item 12 as a Member of the Internal Drainage Board.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

The Chairman stated that he had accepted an additional item of business as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The item relating to the Leisure Facilities Capital Programme would be considered under agenda Item 12 due to the links between the items.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 December 2012 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 December 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to Minute SCOSC/12/63 being amended to read that “Councillor Williams suggested that the report be amended to read the Council should open Houghton Regis swimming pool immediately at existing centre …”.

To receive petitions from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions were received from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part D2 of the Constitution.

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of part A4 of the Constitution.

The Committee were informed by the Scrutiny Policy Adviser that several letters had been sent by residents to Committee Members in advance of the meeting.  Further letters relating to the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan had been circulated for Members at the meeting.  The Chairman commented that the issues raised by residents would be considered as part of the Committees discussion of the item.

In addition to the correspondence received in advance there were a further 16 speakers in relation to several items on the agenda.  With the approval of those speakers it was agreed that all speakers would be invited to speak in advance of the relevant item.

In addition to the registered speakers Cllr Sue Clarke raised the following concerns in relation to Item 11:-

·                    Access to the proposed development site from Flitt Leys Close was insufficient, access would be worsened as a result of parking and development at the proposed NHS and school sites. 

·                    It was suggested that building a school on the proposed site would result in “chaos” due to the number of parents and buses that would need to access the site. 

·                    A traffic management scheme would be required that did not compromise the access of current residents if the scheme went ahead.

·                    A large single playground should be provided rather than lots of smaller ones.

In response to a question from a Member Cllr Mrs S Clarke commented that the additional parking proposed on the development brief would not alleviate concerns.

To consider any decision of the Executive referred to this Committee for review  in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.10 of Part D2. 

The Committee was advised that a decision of the Traffic Management Meeting on 07 January 2013 had been called-in by Cllr Nigel Young as a ward Member in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.10 of Part D2 of the Constitution.  Cllr Young stated he had called in the decision relating to a proposed 7.5 tonne goods vehicle weight restriction on the Poynters Road area, Dunstable in order to clarify the Executive Member’s decision.

In accordance with the public participation procedure a member of the public was invited to speak.  The speaker raised the following issues on behalf of the Poynters Road Action Group:-

• Recommendations relating to the 7.5 tonne goods vehicle weight restriction should be implemented immediately.
• There were presently excessive levels of pollution in the Poynters Road area.
• Traffic flow in the Poynters Road area was presently poor.
• The letter presented to the Traffic Management Meeting on behalf of A S Watson contained serious generalisations.

In response to the public speaker a Member asked whether a lorry ban could be extended to Park Road North.  In response the Executive Member commented that a restriction could be added on this road in the future but presently it was not included in the Freight Strategy.  In addition to providing support to the call-in the Committee agreed that the information that was requested to be provided prior to the implementation of the proposed weight restriction should be made available as quickly as possible.  It was also agreed that the interim remedial measures should be completed not later than the opening of the Woodside Link.

In addition the Committee agreed that the resident should be invited to attend the Traffic Management Meeting when they reconsidered the Call-in to present points on behalf of the Poynters Road Action Group.

RESOLVED

That the decision of the Traffic Management Meeting relating to the Poynters Road Area, Dunstable be referred back to the Committee for consideration at their next scheduled meeting with the following alternative recommendations:-

1.                  That the 7.5 tonne weight limit on Poynters Road will be implemented in line with the Councils adopted Freight Strategy

2.                  That prior to the implementation of the 7.5 tonne weight limit the following take place:-

2.1             Information

2.1.1       The provision of satisfactory air quality monitoring reports on Luton Road and Poynters Road (post busway completion);

2.1.2       An economic impact assessment which resolves the issues raised by A.S. Watson;

2.1.3       A reassessment of the impact of reduced traffic on Luton Road following the reopening of the Busway.

2.2             Interim Remedial/ Mitigation Measures:

2.2.1       Poynters Road resurfacing with noiseless drain covers/ set back drainage

2.2.2       Advisory freight route signage on Luton Road Westbound at Skimpot Roundabout and at appropriate locations on the Woodside and adjacent industrial estates.

2.2.3       Boscombe Road gyratory/ traffic signals to be remodelled

3.         That Implementation of the scheme take place when the above satisfactory information is reported to the Executive Member / Traffic Management Meeting and the above interim remedial measures have been completed but not later  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To consider any items referred to the Committee at the request of a Member under Procedure Rule 3.1 of Part D2 of the Constitution.

No items were referred to the Committee for consideration at the request of a Member under Procedure Rule 3.1 of Part D2 of the Constitution.

To receive for information a verbal update from the Executive Members for Sustainable Communities.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services advised the Committee of recent positive work in relation to community safety, which had resulted in a reduction in reoffending rates.  Cllr Spurr also stated that there had been 182 incidents recorded using CCTV cameras operated by Central Bedfordshire Council, these recordings had resulted in 175 arrests.

The Executive Member Sustainable Communities Strategic Planning and Economic Development advised the Committee of consultations that were currently ongoing in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy Strategy; the Wind Turbine Strategy and the Development Strategy.  The views of residents in relation to these strategies were welcomed.  It was also reported that Central Bedfordshire Council were supporting Milton Keynes Council in the development of a City Deal.  Several shared space schemes were also being developed, one on Hitchin Street, Biggleswade having just been completed, which Members were recommended to visit.

To consider the findings of the Bedfordshire and Luton Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2006) and to consider the next steps in the development of the plan prior to the OSC meeting on 28 February 2013.

Hard copies of Appendix B have been circulated to Members of the Committee only.  The appendix can be viewed online on the Council’s website at the following address: -

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieDocSearch.aspx?bcr=1

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Strategic Planning and Economic Development introduced a report that set out the findings of  a review of the Bedfordshire and Luton Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs (GTAA) Assessment.  The Committee were informed that the purpose of the meeting was to consider a refresh of the GTAA.  The Council were developing a Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan (hereafter “the Plan”) as it was a statutory obligation without which the Council was open to “hostile applications” and we may not be able to remove unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller encampments.  As the previous GTAA had been completed six years ago it was in need of a refresh.  Cllr Young referred to case law regarding appeals in Guildford where the level of need had been underestimated and had not included assessment of those in bricks and mortar accommodation.

Cllr Young explained that the Council was required by government to agree a local plan for the next 15 years.  The Council was required to provide a deliverable supply of sites to meet projected need for the next five years.  This requirement would roll forward annually to show the deliverables for the following year.  The Council was required to identify sites at least up to 2028 and had chosen to align the plan with the timescale of the Development Strategy, which ran to 2031.  Consultation on what the plan should contain had been undertaken previously and any comments from the public would be accepted prior to the OSC meeting on 28 February.  Further representations could be submitted to the Council prior meetings of the Executive and Full Council.  The final, statutory, consultation would take place in May/June 2013 where all responses would be collated before being sent to the Secretary of State to be considered as part of the Examination in Public (EiP).  Interested parties would be invited to speak at the EiP.

In addition the Head of Housing Strategy (R Fox) stated that the reference in Table 2 of the report to granted existing permanent permissions related to the period 2006 to November 2012.  It was also suggested that the proposed question (b) for the Gypsy and Traveller count should be amended to read “do you have enough room on your site”.  In addition it was confirmed that the site assessment criteria were unchanged from those agreed in April 2012.  At the meeting in February 2013 Members will receive the scores attributed to the assessment in order to determine a short-list of sites.  It if it was agreed to only allocate sites for a period of five years then the Council would have to go through the process every couple of years.

The Corporate Policy Adviser (Equality and Diversity) advised the Committee on the Equality Duty and the duties of the Council in relation to persons with a “protected characteristic”, such as Gypsies and Travellers.  The meeting was to be conducted in a manner that respected all groups of residents in Central Bedfordshire, discriminatory language would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

To consider the draft Development Brief prior to consideration by the Executive for adoption as technical guidance for Development Management purposes.

The Head of Development Planning and Housing Strategy introduced a report that outlined the development brief for the Land Rear of Central Garage, Cranfield.  An additional paper was also circulated to the Committee that provided a response to several issues that had been highlighted at the Chairman’s Briefing.

In accordance with the public participation procedure a member of the public was invited to speak.  The speaker raised issues as Chair of Planning for Cranfield Parish Council including:-

·                    Development in Cranfield should be sustainable.

·                    Access to the proposed development site from Flitt Leys Close was insufficient.

·                    Access for residential cars.

·                    The proposed location of the school was unacceptable.

In addition to the issues raised by the speaker, Cllrs Matthews and Bastable raised the following additional concerns:-

·                    The potential unsuitability of the proposed school site subject to a survey that was being undertaken.  The delivery of a school on this site would create issues relating to access.  It was noted that the requirement for a school on this site had only been identified at the last minute.  The Development Brief was imperfect but it was the best possible option for this site if the school could not be located on the west side of the development.

·                    The importance of adequate staff parking being made available on the proposed health centre and school sites.  It was suggested that a lack of available parking would result in parents using the village hall car park or parking on the road.  The roads in the area were narrow and the development brief would make access more difficult.  It was noted that the NHS presently did not have the funding available to deliver a health centre. 

·                    Council policy stated that drop-off points would not be permitted outside of schools, a suitable traffic management scheme would be required however if a school were provided, otherwise access would be sub-standard.

·                    Although access through Flitt Leys Close was imperfect the proposed traffic management scheme did go some way to alleviate concerns.

In response to the issues raised by the public speaker and other Members the Committee discussed the following:-

·                    The possible inclusion of on/off residential parking bays during specified hours that would allow normal movement along the road and use of the footpath. Further guidance was provided to Members in relation to proposed access/ traffic management approaches. 

·                    Whether a development could commence in the knowledge that it could create problems, specifically in relation to access to a potential school.

·                    The principles of the Council’s adopted Parking Strategy relating to the number of parking spaces to be provided per dwelling which had been applied to the development brief.

·                    Problems relating to the readability of the maps contained in the development brief and it not being clear if those sections of text highlighted in red were to be included in the brief or omitted.  It was clarified that those comments highlighted in red were to be included in the development brief.

The Committee discussed the possibility of a school being provided on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

To consider and comment on the Sustainable Communities directorate aspects of the Council’s draft Budget for 2013/14, Medium Term Financial Plan 2013-17 and Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2016/17. 

Papers were circulated to all Members as part of the report to Executive on 08 January 2013.  Members are requested to bring their copy of these papers (Items 8 and 9) with them to the meeting. These papers can be viewed online on the Council’s website at:-

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=4054&Ver=4

The Director of Sustainable Communities introduced the, which provided the Committee with an opportunity to comment upon the draft budget 2013/14, Medium Term Financial Plan 2013 to 2017 and Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2016/17, which had been presented and approved for consultation at a meeting of the Executive on 8 January 2013.  The Director also introduced the Leisure Facilities Capital Programme which the Chairman had agreed to add to the agenda as an urgent item so that the view of the Committee could be presented to the Executive.

In response to the report and the further clarification provided by the Director of Sustainable Communities the Committee discussed the content of the report in further detail and raised the following issues:-

·        Why there was a £30k cost pressure identified at SC115 in the Draft Revenue  Budget for 2013/14 relating to the Drainage Board and no additional pressure in future years.  The Director confirmed that the for the 2012/13 budget a saving of £30K had been agreed for payments to the Drainage Board however this had not materialised so this was re-instating the budget

·        Whether the £150k identified in the Capital Programme to reopen Houghton Regis swimming pool would be sufficient and how officers had reached that figure.  It was also queried whether the Council would be able to afford to reopen the pool if it was going to cost more than £150k.  In response it was commented that £150k was an estimate, a business case had been commissioned by the Executive that would provide a more accurate figure and would also include estimated costs  to keep the swimming pool open for a period of five years.  It was not guaranteed that the swimming pool would re-open but the money had been included in the Capital Programme so that if it was feasible then it could be.  If the cost to reopen the swimming pool was higher than £150k Members could choose whether or not to proceed. Increasing the capital allocation would impact on other schemes in the Capital Programme.

·        Funding for a potential new sports hall at Eaton Bray school would be considered as part of the Development with Stakeholders money identified in the capital programme

RECOMMENDED

That the Draft Budget 2013/14, Medium Term Financial Plan 2013-17, Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2016/17 and the Leisure Facilities Capital Programme be endorsed as set out.

(Councillors Matthews and Gammons left the meeting during consideration of this item).

To consider and comment on the Sustainable Communities aspects of the draft Fees and Charges for 2013/14 and comment as appropriate to the Executive.

The Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Economic Development introduced this report, which provided the Committee with details of the revised fees and charges rates to be effective from 1 April 2013 relating to the Sustainable Communities directorate.  The Committee also received additional information in relation to fees and charges for Building Control, which had not been previously circulated.

In response to the report and the further clarification provided by the Director of Sustainable Communities and the Executive Member the Committee discussed the content of the report in further detail and raised the following issues:-

·                       Why charges to collect fridges and freezers from domestic premises had increased.  It was clarified that increases in charges relate to the cost of disposing of these appliances

·                       Why the cost to administer high hedges legislation was so high.   It was clarified that this cost was high due to the additional costs to the Council during an appeal process.

·                       The use of fees received in relation to sexual entertainment venues and whether the Council could use these fees for policing late night venues.  It was clarified that the Council could decide to bring in a levy for licensed premises serving alcohol beyond midnight.  A percentage of this levy was given to the police to support late night policing.  If used, this levy would apply across the whole Central Bedfordshire area and not just in one location or venue.  There were other approaches available to the Council to target specific premises and these were used where appropriate.

·                       There were currently few problems in Central Bedfordshire relating to fly-tipping and they were not thought to be as a result of charges for the removal of bulky waste.

·                       The issuing of fixed penalty notices, which was undertaken by the Environmental Protection Team.

·                       The charging for displaying commercial posters in Libraries. Both displaying and charging would cease.

·                       Specific problems in Flitwick relating to commercial posters.  The Director undertook to ask Planning Enforcement officers to investigate concerns.

·                       The reduction in fees for the first annual resident parking permit, which Members supported

RECOMMENDED

1.                  That Executive be aware of the Committees specific support for the reduction in fees for the first annual resident parking permit. 

2.                  That Executive adopt the proposed schedule of fees and charges for 2013/14 as set out

(Councillor Ms Alison Graham left the meeting during consideration of this item).

To consider the currently drafted Committee work programme for 2012/13 and the Executive Forward Plan.

RESOLVED

That the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2012/13 be endorsed.

To consider the schemes to be included in the draft capital programme 2013-17 in relation to the Leisure Facilities Strategy and Flitwick Leisure Centre Phase 2 as a reserve scheme to be considered by Executive on 05 February 2013.

(This item was considered under Item 12, Minute SCOSC/12/80 refers).