If any.

The Chairman stated that future meetings could be held at various locations within the Council’s boundaries as the Committee’s work developed.  He then explained that today’s meeting, which had originally been scheduled to be held at Chicksands, was being held at Dunstable because of the lack of suitable accommodation at the former.  Following consideration Members agreed that, for the foreseeable future, meetings of the Committee should alternate between Dunstable and Chicksands with the next meeting being held at Chicksands.

The Chairman took the opportunity to remind Members that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Panel had agreed that all future Overview and Scrutiny Committees would start at 10.00 am.

In conclusion the Chairman referred to the influential role that the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee would have on the future of Central Bedfordshire.   

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 Annex 2 of Part A4 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.

No questions, statements or deputations from members of the public were received in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

To consider any matter referred to the Committee for a decision in relation to the call-in of a decision.

No matters were referred to the Committee for a decision in relation to the call-in of a decision.

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 an introduction to the key issues and challenges facing the Council and an opportunity to discuss how the Council can achieve the best results for residents.

The Committee received a report by the Director of Sustainable Communities which provided an introduction to the Sustainable Communities Directorate, the Directorate’s aims and priorities, the overall strategic context, challenges and opportunities and a suggested Work Programme for the Committee.  Using a simple presentation as a backdrop the Director then provided additional information for Members’ consideration.  He began by reminding the meeting that Sustainable Communities had a leading role in determining how growth targets were met and that Members had a level of control over both planning and delivery.

The Director stated that the aim of the Directorate was to provide thriving, prosperous and inclusive communities and seek to create local jobs.  He commented that within Central Bedfordshire’s generally affluent communities there areas of deprivation on housing estates and in rural areas.  There was a diverse population and one of the Committee’s tasks would be to ensure that everyone felt part of Central Bedfordshire.  He added that a major local industry was tourism and referred to Centre Parcs and NIRA.

With regard to living in Central Bedfordshire the Director commented that housing was very expensive and, as a result, there was a trend for young people to move out of the area in order to find suitably priced housing.  One of the Committee’s tasks would be, therefore, to maximise the provision of affordable housing while seeking to maintain an appropriate social-demographic balance.

The Director reminded Members that, as a unitary authority, the Council was totally responsible for the provision of local services.  The Council had, however, only just been formed and he urged Members to be patient as officers dealt with new responsibilities and demands and formulated responses to problems for Members to consider.

The Director placed the Committee’s work in context by reminding the meeting that two of the Council’s five priorities fell within the Directorate’s remit; these being Managing Growth Effectively and Creating Safer Communities, the latter covering not just crime, which was at relatively low levels across the Council area, but anti social behaviour too.

The Director then stressed that the Directorate’s aim was excellence and mediocrity would not be accepted.  Once established the Directorate would provide an example of excellence and other authorities would look to it as an example.  Referring to the Directorate’s priorities as approved by the Executive he stressed that the Directorate would need to establish influence on policy nationally in order to obtain the required level of resources and establish successful partnerships with other authorities to increase the possibility of success.  

The Director next referred to the task faced by the Directorate regarding growth.  In particular he commented on the three Local Development Frameworks and the other strategies in support including the Housing Strategy, Local Transport Plan and Waste Strategy.

The Director next stressed that Members should not lose sight of the connectivity between services; for example housing and jobs and transport, all of which were undertaken by the Directorate and affected the quality of life for most people.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the Executive Forward Plan and its work programme.

The Committee considered the Executive Forward Plan for the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010.

NOTED