Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 27^th January 2016

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th January 2016 were agreed and signed as a true record.

In respect of Minute No 33 headed “Coventry Sports Strategy 2014-2024 – Progress Review (16 month update)”, the Board were advised that the Cabinet Member had been briefed on the recommendations and was supportive in principle but recognised that there may be resource implications and had therefore asked officers to investigate the matters further.

To receive a briefing note of the Executive Director of Place providing details of the representations made following publication of the Local Plan and the City Centre Area Action Plan.

(Note: The Leader, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Economy and members of the Planning Committee have been invited to attend the meeting for consideration of this item.)

The Board considered a briefing note of the Executive Director of Place, which provided a summary of the feedback and consultation responses to the statutory period of public consultation in respect of the Draft City Centre Area Action Plan (AAP) – Publication Draft (2016) and the Draft Local Plan – Publication Draft (2016).

In addition, an addendum to the report was tabled, providing a small number of updates to the original report in relation to data provided, evidence base and proposed changes to the objectives, Jaguar Land Rover, Local Green Space and the Environment Agency.  A presentation was also received, which outlined the following areas:-

·  Key Local Plan discussion points

·  City Centre AAP Discussion points

·  Consultation results

·  Location assessment

Having considered the briefing note, the addendum and the information provided within the presentation, Board members asked questions and received clarification on matters relating to:-

·  Student accommodation levels and where they are located

·  The integration of students and University within the City

·  Potential of family housing release as a result of purpose built student accommodation

·  City centre, major district, district and local shopping centres and small shop parades

·  Land ownerships

·  Sites suggested by respondents to the consultation and their viability

·  Green belt land issues

·  Flooding issues including installation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in new developments

·  Mining legacy issues, particularly in the North East of the City

·  Details of the number of citizens attending the consultation events

·  Infrastructure developments and timing

·  Why sites at Eastern Green were previously discounted but have now be re-introduced into the Local Plan

·  Access to proposed development sites and addressing pinch-points

·  Next steps in submission of both the AAP and Local Plan to the Secretary of State.

With regard to the AAP and Coventry University, the Board were keen to reinforce the need for the Council and the University to work together to promote the integration of students with other residents and requested that this be added as a recommendation to the appropriate Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3):-

1.  Note the content of the briefing note and its Appendices, including the Addendum tabled at the meeting.

2.  Endorse the submission of all representations and summary notes of public meetings, ward forums and drop in sessions and the schedule of proposed minor changes to the Secretary of State for further consideration through Public Examination of the city’s draft Local Plan and City Centre Area Action Plan.

3.  Recommend to the relevant Cabinet Member that the Council continue to work with Coventry University to promote the integration of students with other residents in the City.

To receive a report of the Task and Finish Group on the outcomes and recommendations of the Group.

The Board considered a briefing note from the Executive Director of Resources, which provided recommendations from the Parks and Friends Group Task and Finish Group.

The Task and Finish Group was established to look at how Friends of Parks groups could be supported to make parks and open spaces more age-friendly.  The briefing note identified the Group members and it was reported at the meeting that there had been a typographical error in the note and that Councillor Walsh had been on the Group and not Councillor Welsh as indicated.

The Group met on four occasions and considered information about age-friendly cities, section 106 funding, met with representatives of two community groups and visited several parks across the city.

A check list from the World Health Organisation of what was involved in becoming an age-friendly city was appended to the report.

The Board were advised that top priorities for older people when it came to public spaces were accessibility, such as suitable paths and walkways, feeling safe and access to public toilets.  In addition, they were advised about the issues experienced by volunteer groups in relation to parks and green spaces, such as anti-social behaviour and sustaining membership.

The Board discussed issues in relation to section 106 funding and the difficulties sometimes experienced when funding was specified for ‘children’s play’ and how this money may be accessed if it were to be allocated to ‘improve facilities at parks’.

Members of the Group were thanked for the work they had undertaken, along with the representatives of the various organisations that had contributed to the recommendations.

RESOLVED that the Business, Enterprise and Economy Scrutiny Board (3) support the following recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Sports and Parks:-

1.  Parks and open spaces are considered as the city moves towards becoming an age-friendly city.

2.  When resources are available, improvements to parks and open spaces should consider age-friendly requirements such as footpaths and safety / anti-social behaviour concerns.

3.  Support networks for Friends groups are supported by the Council both locally and regionally.

4.  Section 106 agreements for green spaces are more flexible as to what can be funded on a specific site.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Board considered the work programme for 2015/16 and discussed the scheduling of proposed issues for consideration at the next meeting of the Board.

It was noted that the next meeting was to consider issues in relation to Tourism and Events and the Board requested an update on the City of Culture bid given the significant overlap in this area.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) notes the work programme 2015/16 and request an update on the City of Culture bid at the next meeting.

Outstanding issues are picked up in the Work Programme

There were no outstanding issues.

There were no other items of public business.