Sustainable Communities Act Panel
Thursday 23 July 2009
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT
CROSS PARTY PANEL
23 JULY 2009
PRESENT: Councillors Burbage (Chairman), Mrs Bateson (Vice-Chairman), Holness and Kellaway (substituting for Councillor D Wilson).
Also in attendance: Bryan Morgan (RBFRS)
Officers: Andrew Brooker, Andrew Elkington, Peter Herlinger and Liz Hornby.
part i
Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs Quick, D Wilson and Harjit Hunjan.
22/09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Mrs Bateson declared a Personal interest in the RBWM Fire Provision item, due to being a member of the Fire Authority.
Councillors Burbage and Kellaway declared Personal interests in the Chamber of Commerce – Business Support item, due to being members of the Maidenhead Town Partnership Board.
23/09 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2009 were agreed and signed.
23/09 PROPOSAL UPDATES
Royal Borough Fire Provision
At the Panel of Representatives meeting on 15 July, Members noted that 3 letters of support had been received from Dr J Morton-Bell (Windsor District Chamber of Commerce), Michael Miller (Maidenhead & District Chamber of Commerce) and the FBU, the letter of which appeared to be referring to technical matters, employee matters etc. It was also noted that Mr Mancey, from the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (RBFRS) had presented a statement at the meeting along with some questions the Fire Authority wished the Borough to reply, although Memebrs believed that the Fire Authority took not real part in the meeting itself.
It was agreed that the Panel of Representatives meeting had gone well and that, in the main, the proposal had been accepted with a few minor adjustments. Councillor Mrs Bateson reported that the FBU had been spoken to twice in relation to the proposal, and once Harjit Hunjan returned he would set up a meeting with the FBU, although it was also believed that once the due diligence phase was in progress, the FBU would be more willing to take part in discussions with the Borough.
Members noted that, through a firm of lawyers, the RBFRS had written to the Chief Executive and which had been received just hours prior to the Panel of Representatives meeting on the 15 July. A subsequent letter had been received dated 22 July requesting answers to the questions in their previous letter. It was stressed to Members that confirmation had been received via email from the LGA stating that the Borough had carried out the process according to the Sustainable Communities Act. Members also noted that the proposals would, subject to confirmation at this meeting, be ratified at Council this evening.
After further discussion the Members approved the proposal subject to a few minor adjustments with the final decision delegated to the Head of Policy & Performance along with Councillors Burbage and Mrs Bateson. The amendments were agreed as follows –
- Ø Andrew Elkington agreed to read through the proposal for typing errors.
Ø To confirm that on page 12 formal support from the Community Partnerships Board had been omitted from the proposal due to support being withdrawn.
Ø Page 5, point 2.3 clarity should be added in relation to night-time cover with ‘nearby communities’ being affected, and which should read ‘East Berkshire communities’.
Ø Page 6 – CPR should be written out in full.
Ø It should be noted that the Cross Party Panels and Panel of Representatives meetings were public meetings.
Ø That should there be enough space in the relevant point, a reference to due diligence be made in more detail.
Councillor Burbage reported the Fire Authority had commented they believed there had not been sufficient consultation time and also believed that they had not been adequately consulted. Councillor Mrs Bateson commented that the final version of the proposal form had only been received 4 weeks prior to this date.
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the completed proposal be approved subject to a few minor amendments with final decision delegated to the Head of Policy & Performance and Councillors Burbage and Mrs Bateson.
Chamber of Commerce – Business Support
Members noted that following the Panel of Representatives meeting on 15 July, 6 reference points had been added to the proposal which was as a direct result from the meeting. Councillor Burbage noted it had been helpful that SEEDA and Business Link had responses within the agreed time although it was believed their views wouldn’t adversely affect the proposal.
Members agreed that the proposal was now fully completed and that it should be submitted to the LGA in its present form.
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the completed proposal be approved and sent forward to the LGA.
24/09 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
There were no further meetings scheduled.
25/09 MEETING
The meeting, which began at 9.05am, concluded at 10.00am.
CHAIRMAN:…………………………………………..
DATE: ………………………