Issue - meetings

To receive the latest version of the Committee’s work programme and the Council’s Forward Plan.

24.1    The Chair introduced the latest version of the Council Forward Plan and invited suggestions from Members as to items which they would like to see on the Work Programme over the coming months.

24.2    Councillor Hilton requested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider the Future of Tourism and Destination Marketing Team report and it was agreed that this item would be added to the Work Programme for the meeting on Monday 1^st November 2021.

24.3    Councillor Hilton also asked whether the Committee could examine the report relating to the disposal of the public open space at Cross Keys Rest Garden. He noted that he was interested in ensuring that due processes were followed and suggested that the Committee could consider whether processes needed to be more robust going forward.

24.4    The Managing Director noted that the Cabinet had previously decided to defer the item as further work needed to be undertaken to allow Cabinet Members to consider the processes which were followed in relation to the disposal of the land.

24.5    Councillor Hilton expressed concern that the developer had undertaken work on the land whilst the public consultation was still ongoing and noted his view that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should consider this item so that Committee Members could also understand the processes and be reassured that the correct protocols were followed.

24.6    The Leader of the Council explained that the occupation was an error on the part of the Developer and that as soon as officers learned of the Developer’s action, the Council intervened to instruct them to stop work at once which they then did. The Leader of the Council reiterated that Cabinet had asked to review the matter and that Cabinet Members would consider the report at a future meeting. It was agreed that the Cross Keys Rest Garden report would be added to the Work Programme and a date would be confirmed in due course.

            RESOLVED –

1)    That the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be amended to reflect the above and

2)    To NOTE the Work Programme