To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 9 February 2016.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

It had been announced that the route for the East West Railway would go from Bedford via Sandy to Cambridge.  The Leader welcomed this announcement as it would be beneficial to Central Bedfordshire and the work of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP).

The Leader had visited the new Flitwick Leisure Centre and commended the new facilities.

The Council was working closely with former England footballer, Rio Ferdinand’s Legacy Foundation and other partners and DCLG on a project to regenerate the Kingsland area in Houghton Regis.

Stephen Catchpole had been appointed as the new Chief Executive of SEMLEP.

The Leader had visited Sandy, including Sandy Upper School and congratulated the school on their excellent exam results.

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions had been received.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2017.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2017 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2017 be noted.

To adopt the Affordable Housing Guidance Note as planning guidance for the south of Central Bedfordshire.

1.         That the Affordable Housing Guidance Note (South Central Bedfordshire) be endorsed as planning guidance for Development Management purposes.

2.         To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Member for  Regeneration, to make any minor amendments to the Affordable Housing Guidance Note.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Regeneration that set out the proposed Affordable Housing Guidance Note.  The Note provided guidance to support the determination of planning applications for those parishes in the area of the former South Bedfordshire District Council and would apply until such time as the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan reached submission stage.  The proposed target for affordable housing provision in the south of Central Bedfordshire was 30% on all qualifying sites of 4 dwellings and above.  On sites of 4 dwellings, one affordable dwelling must be provided.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to secure affordable housing in the southern part of its area.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Affordable Housing Guidance Note (South Central Bedfordshire) be endorsed as planning guidance for Development Management purposes; and

2.      to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Member for  Regeneration, to make any minor amendments to the Affordable Housing Guidance Note.

To seek approval to go out to public consultation on the Passenger Transport Strategy - Public Transport and the set up of a Dynamic Purchasing System.

1.         That the policies relating to Subsidised Bus Services, Concessionary Travel and Community Transport, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved for public consultation.

2.         That the use of a Dynamic Purchasing Scheme (DPS) to procure transport providers be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out the proposals for public transport, including subsidised public bus routes, community transport provision and concessionary travel, as a basis for public consultation.  The report also proposed a move to a Dynamic Purchasing System to procure transport providers.

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Community Services explained that the impact on the subsidised bus services would not be known until after the public consultation.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to deliver the next steps of a Passenger Transport Strategy that aimed to deliver fit for purpose transport services in a safe and effective way.  The proposal to move to a Dynamic Purchasing System would provide greater flexibility within the scheme to allow providers to join and a faster tendering process.

RESOLVED

1.      that the policies relating to Subsidised Bus Services, Concessionary Travel and Community Transport, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved for public consultation; and

2.      that the use of a Dynamic Purchasing Scheme (DPS) to procure transport providers be approved.

To highlight the need for a new Local Transport Plan and propose a new strategic approach for investment in transport. 

1.         That the production of a new Local Transport Plan be approved.

2.         That the vision and objectives of the new Plan be endorsed.

3.         That the timetable for its production and adoption be supported.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Regeneration that highlighted the proposal for a new Local Transport Plan (LTP), including the vision and objectives.  The proposed LTP4 focussed on delivering sustainable growth which was key to securing the future prosperity of Central Bedfordshire.  The three broad areas covered included:

·         capacity;

·         connectivity; and

·         communities.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Regeneration acknowledged that the local transport network needed to take account of the local residents’ requirements as well as the needs of the business community.  A feasibility study would be carried out to look at the option of building a northern bypass in Biggleswade.  The Highways Authority had a ten year plan that included the remodelling of the A1.

Reason for decision:  To enable the production of the new Local Transport Plan.  The new Plan would supplement the Local Plan to provide a strategic integrated long term vision for facilitating growth. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the production of a new Local Transport Plan be approved;

2.      that the vision and objectives of the new Plan be endorsed; and

3.      that the timetable for its production and adoption be supported.

To seek support for the consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Lower School, Biggleswade, each to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017. The report will also seek the support of the Council's Executive for the consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in Year groups 5-11) by September 2017.

1.         That the proposed commencement of consultation by Biggleswade Academy Trust to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported.

2.         That the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported.

3.         That the proposed consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in year groups 5-8 and 80 places in year groups 9-11) from September 2017 to provide a total of 180 places in each year group 5-11, be supported.

4.         That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members, develop a policy on the issue of effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools, with the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee being updated at a future meeting .

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought support for proposed consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England Voluntary Controlled Lower School, Biggleswade, with a view to each expanding by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017.

The report also sought support for the consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in Year groups 9-11) from September 2017 to provide a total of 180 places in each Year group 5-11.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continues to meet its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposed commencement of consultation by Biggleswade Academy Trust to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported;

2.      that the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported; and

3.      that the proposed consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in year groups 5-8 and 80 places in year groups 9-11) from September 2017 to provide a total of 180 places in each year group 5-11, be supported.

The Executive then discussed the recommendations from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerning the development of a policy on the issue of effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools.

RESOLVED

1.      That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members, develop a policy on the issue of effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools, with the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee being updated at a future meeting .

To consider the next steps with the commissioning of new school places in Fairfield Parish.

1.         That the proposal of the Governing Body of Fairfield Park Lower School to permanently expand onto a second site from a 2 form entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9, to a 4 form of entry (600 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9 also providing a 60 place nursery, increasing the school’s published admission number from 60 to 120 with effect from 1 September 2017, be approved, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 September 2016.

2.         To authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills, to approve any contractual arrangements necessary to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed project in this report.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that set out the outcome of the consultation exercise for the commissioning of new lower school places within the Parish of Fairfield from September 2017.  The consultation had concluded on 9 Mach 2016 and 16 responses had been received of which 14 respondents had supported the proposed expansion.

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council continues to comply with its legal obligation to meet the needs of a growing population.

RESOLVED

1.         that the proposal of the Governing Body of Fairfield Park Lower School to permanently expand onto a second site from a 2 form entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9, to a 4 form of entry (600 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9 also providing a 60 place nursery, increasing the school’s published admission number from 60 to 120 with effect from 1 September 2017, be approved, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 September 2016; and

2.         to authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills, to approve any contractual arrangements necessary to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed project in this report.

To seek approval to transfer the new community building and commuted sum to Biggleswade Town Council including full ownership maintenance responsibilities and all future liabilities.

That the transfer of the Orchard Community Building, Biggleswade, and all associated future liabilities and responsibilities, to Biggleswade Town Council be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Stronger Communities that proposed the transfer of the Orchards Community Building, Biggleswade and all future liabilities and responsibilities for it to Biggleswade Town Council. 

Reason for decision:  To enable Biggleswade Town Council to have full responsibility for the Community Building.

RESOLVED

that the transfer of the Orchard Community Building, Biggleswade, and all associated future liabilities and responsibilities, to Biggleswade Town Council be approved.

To seek approval to transfer of the new Community Building at Marston Park, Marston Mortaine including ownership, management, maintenance and all future liabilities to Marston Moretaine Parish Council.

That the transfer of the Community Building at Marston Park and all future liabilities and responsibilities for the building; the associated sports pitches and open space within Area 7 only as detailed in Drawing No. Bir.3429_24E, to Marston Moretaine Parish Council be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Stronger Communities that proposed the transfer of the Community Building at Marston Park, Marston Moretaine when built and all future liabilities and responsibilities for it to Marston Moretaine Parish Council. 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Parish Council to confirm its position to the developers to enable the community building to be built.

RESOLVED

that the transfer of the Community Building at Marston Park and all future liabilities and responsibilities for the building; the associated sports pitches and open space within Area 7 only as detailed in Drawing No. Bir.3429_24E, to Marston Moretaine Parish Council be approved.