To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cox and D. Evans

To receive any declarations of interest

None received

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2017

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2017 were approved.

To consider the above report

Members considered an update on the emerging masterplan options for the golf club site and approval of the procurement route.

The Lead Member explained that the council had agreed to purchase the leasehold of the golf course somewhere between September 2019-September 2023. The proposal was to build 2000 homes on the 132 acre site, along with associated infrastructure including educational provision. In June 2015 the council had taken the decision to procure a joint venture partner. The report before Members was the result of the initial work undertaken by the consultant Savills. To ensure transparency the council was putting as much information as possible into the public domain and had invited the public to submit questions for the Extraordinary Full Council meeting on 30 October 2017.

The Chairman highlighted that the Mayor had agreed to take public questions, to extend the deadline for submission and also to increase the amount of time usually available for public questions. Approximately 35 questions had been submitted and were in the public domain.

The Lead Member explained that the first appendix was the vision document prepared by Savills for the council as the landowner. It demonstrated the sustainability and deliverability of the proposal in terms of planning. The second (Part II) document detailed the Masterplan Options. The council had chosen to release details of the preferred option into the public domain. It had been made clear that the council was not developing the entirety of the site; significant open space had been left and the deciduous woodland would remain. The third (Part II) document detailed the procurement options. The recommended option was for a contractual joint venture structure where the council would maintain complete control over the development. Through an OJEU process a partner would be appointed. The council would work with the partner to develop proposals and then fully consult on them.

The proposal required £20m to purchase residential and commercial properties to provide highways access. The funding was being requested at this stage to give as much flexibility as possible and allow the council to conduct purchases in an opportunistic way. This would be more preferable than the council having to use powers at the last minute. The highway capacity was of great concern to residents; the report made it clear that the council would put in significant capital investment.  

The Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel had considered the report and made a number of proposed amendments to the recommendations. The Lead Member confirmed that he was prepared to accept the majority of the proposals. He confirmed that if the Panel was not supportive of a proposed purchase, this would not affect the council’s ability to complete the purchase.

The Chairman proposed a revised recommendation relating to consultation with local residents and ward councillors as had been put forward by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel:

‘Agrees to consult at appropriate times as detailed proposals are brought forward by the development partner, the terms of such developments with local residents and ward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 6-7 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 6-7 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of theAct.

To consider the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2017.

To note the Part II appendices to the earlier Part I report.