Agenda item

A report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces to consider adopting the Playing Pitches, Open Spaces and Built Facilities Strategies and associated Action Plans will be presented to the Group for pre-decision scrutiny. This is in order to make recommendations to the Cabinet as appropriate.

Please note: due to the length of this report it will be published separately as a supplement.

A report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces was considered (item 06A on the agenda filed with these minutes).

          The Lead Member for Performance of Major Contracts, the Strategic Director for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Wellbeing, the Head of Leisure and Culture and the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces attended the meeting to assist with consideration of the item and gave the following responses to issues raised:

(i)            Confirmation was given that in some cases the Council was not adopting new developments, rather they were being managed by not for profit organisations. The Council was happy with how the organisations were managing the spaces and there did not appear to be any issues with quality, although it was only the start of the programme.

(ii)          The Council had already committed resources to support some of the plans from the General Fund. Further funding would be secured through the SUE’s and from partner organisations such as the FA (Football Association).

(iii)         A robust strategy was in place to ensure that Section 106 money was spent in time. Parish clerks were informed of the timescale and there was a planning officer in place to manage the Section 106 agreements and monitor the timescales.

(iv)         Reference was made to concerns from County Councillor Max Hunt regarding the strategies, which had been circulated to the Group prior to the meeting.

(v)          The Council was open to adopting land and open spaces if the developers were willing to pay the commuted sum required. Decisions were made on an individual basis.

(vi)         The strategy was created in line with National guidance which ensured there was a consistent approach.

(vii)        The Group was assured that there had been a very thorough public consultation with extensive communication to ensure involvement from members of the public and parish and town councils. The action plans would also continue to involve the public on an ongoing basis.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be informed that the Group supports the recommendations as set out in the report of the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces.

Reason

Having considered the report and asked questions of the Lead Member for Performance of Major Contracts, the Strategic Director for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Wellbeing, the Head of Leisure and Culture and the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces on the matter, the Group concluded that it would be appropriate for the Cabinet to approve the recommendations set out in the report.