An apology was received from Councillor Paternoster.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 24^th June, 2011, as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Luton and South Bedfordshire Joint Committee held on 24^th June 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Members can make any specific declarations of interest, at this point.  (Members may also make declarations at any time during the course of the meeting).  Members are reminded that they must disclose both the existence and the nature of any personal interest that they have in any matter to be considered at this meeting.

A Member with a personal interest in any matter to be considered at this meeting will also have a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the Member's judgment of the public interest.  A Member who has a prejudicial interest must withdraw from the meeting room unless he/she has obtained a dispensation from their Council's Standards Committee.

a)      Personal Interests:-

         None

(b)    Personal and Prejudicial Interests:-

         None.

The Chair to report on any business which is considered to be urgent and which should be discussed at the meeting in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 and to determine when, during the meeting, any such business should be discussed.

The Chair advised Members that at its meeting held on the 21^st July 2011, the Luton & South Beds Joint Sub Committee discussed the Memorandum of Understanding, in particular the West Luton area, where it was felt by LBC that the Core Strategy was not placing development in close proximity to where it was needed.  Therefore, the meeting was adjourned to allow private discussion between LBC and CBC Members.

Members were advised that although the two authorities had a better understanding of each other, both LBC and CBC had failed to find away forward and were unlikely to agree on specific site allocation to the West of Luton.  Therefore it was proposed that in light of this, the JC recommend to the Secretary of State that the Core Strategy be withdrawn under the terms of the relevant legislation.

AS was disappointed at the proposal to withdraw from the Core Strategy as he felt that despite all odds, both LBC and CBC had a sound strategy.

NY reminded Members that CBC had endorsed an understanding that would allow the JC to carry on.  However, as good neighbours both LBC and CBS would continue to have an understanding and co-operate with each other on future projects despite the proposed withdrawal from the Core Strategy.

The Committee was invited to determine the proposal in relation to withdrawal from the Core Strategy and following a vote it was:

RESOLVED

(i) That in light of the recent decision by the Executive of Luton Borough Council to seek a withdrawal of the Core Strategy on the singular ground that a specific site allocation to the West of Luton has not been allocated, and notwithstanding that in other respects the Core Strategy is supported, then it is agreed that the Joint Committee recommend to the Secretary of State that the Core Strategy be withdrawn under the terms of the relevant legislation.

(ii)  That the Joint Technical Unit officers from both Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council be thanked for their excellent and extremely valuable work.

(iii)  That the Minutes of the of the Luton and South Bedfordshire Joint Sub Committee held on 21^st July 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

  (Note:                      Councillor Shadbolt required that his vote against the above decision be recorded.