Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Cope and Sheppard-Bools.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2021.

It was moved by Councillor Gibbens, seconded by Councillor Pendlebury and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July be confirmed as a correct record.

No interests were declared.

To provide a verbal update on planning enforcement.

Members were provided with an update on planning enforcement including staffing, case numbers and relevant legislation.

Councillor Crooks entered the meeting at 6.32pm.

During discussion on the presentation, the following suggestions were made:

·         Preparation of a guide for developers to show how they should behave

·         Supporting recruitment by approaching the local police to encourage recruitment amongst police officers due to retire

·         Consideration of reasons for losing staff and identification of any trends

·         Working with other authorities to increase resilience

·         An update be brought to the December meeting.

To provide a verbal update on the latest position in relation to the five year housing land supply.

The Scrutiny Commission was updated on the five year housing land supply. It was noted that all members had been sent the current position (4.46 years supply) and annual report which had been finalised since preparation of the agenda. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         An application for Earl Shilton SUE was expected in October

·         The impact of the government’s planning reforms was currently unknown

·         The importance of infrastructure to enable development

·         Current difficulties in relation to inflation and lack of materials which made it difficult for builders to start work

·         The importance of supporting the neighbourhood planning process.

The date of the June Scrutiny Commission meeting agreed as part of the 2022/23 calendar of meetings coincides with the additional bank holiday. Members are asked to agree the new proposed date of 9 June 2022.

It was agreed that the meeting scheduled for 2 June 2022 be moved to 9 June 2022.

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act.

On the motion of Councillor Crooks seconded by Councillor Sheppard-Bools, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

To provide an update on the Crescent.

Members were updated on the Crescent development including the background, positive economic impacts and outcomes and current letting position. During presentation and discussion, the following points were raised:

·         Smaller units had been easier to let than the larger ones

·         The number of other businesses attracted to the area due to the Crescent which also increased income from business rates

·         The difficulty in calculating the specific financial return on investment due to many factors including the approved objectives for the scheme and that the financing of the project and loan was not directly linked as the loan also supported some of the expenditure on the leisure centre project being developed at the same time

·         The need to consider the success of the project against the council’s initial ambitions and objectives for the site which were to transform and regenerate the former run down bus station area, improve the retail and leisure shopping offer and physical environment of this key gateway area in the town and to generate new jobs.

The Executive member agreed to arrange for a breakdown of costs and return on investment to be sent to members.