Agenda item

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Committee considered (a) the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance, which set out the decision of the Cabinet regarding the Southport Development Framework and the reasons why the decision had been called-in; and (b) the report of the Head of Regeneration and Skills that was considered by the Cabinet in relation to this matter.

The decision taken by the Cabinet on 6 October 2016 in relation to this matter was as follows:-

Decision:

That approval be given to the publication of the Southport Development Framework to guide future development and investment opportunities.

Reasons for Decision:

An approved Southport Development Framework would help promote the opportunity for investment and development potential that can support the Town.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None - The draft framework had been the subject of extensive consultation and engagement. Various options had been considered and are contained within the draft and final documentation.

The Chair of the Committee, Councillor Sayers, reported on the procedure for consideration of the call-in.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer, Mrs. Ruth Harrison, reported on the validity of the call-in and highlighted that the call in requisition:-

·       had been received within the specified call-in period in accordance with Chapter 6, paragraph 37 of the Constitution;

·       had been signed by three Members of the Council who were not Members of the Cabinet, in accordance with the provisions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules in Chapter 6, Paragraph 38 of the Council’s Constitution; and

·       referred to a specific decision made by the Cabinet and provided a reason in accordance with Chapter 6, paragraph 40 of the Constitution.

Councillor Keith, on behalf of Councillors Lynne Thompson and Weavers, outlined and amplified the following reasons for the call-in:-

We request the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills) to refer this item back to the Cabinet, requesting Cabinet to consider establishing a Working Party of Members to assist in developing an Action Plan for the Southport Development Framework.

“We welcome all moves to improve Southport’s development but seek clarification of how the Cabinet’s approval of the publication of the proposed framework will guide future developments and investment opportunities and contribute towards Sefton Council policies. Paragraph 10.6 in the Southport Development framework document states that the council should develop an action plan around initiatives identified in this framework on a short medium and long-term basis. We would like to know a more precise time scale, which is essential for the plan to be put into practice, rather than the generalities given on page 55 of the Cabinet agenda from 6th October 2016 in setting up an action plan. "

Councillor Atkinson, Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills and Councillor Maher, Leader of the Council addressed the Committee in relation to the decision taken and responded to the representations made by Councillor Keith in relation to the call-in.  The Committee considered the comments of Ms. Paula Lowrey, Service Manager, Regeneration, on the background to this matter.

Councillor Keith answered questions posed by Members of the Committee in relation to her representations.

Councillor Atkinson, Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills answered questions posed by Members of the Committee in relation to the call-in and summed up.

Councillor Keith summed up her reason for call-in.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the validity of the call-in be agreed;

(2)      this Committee is not concerned about the decision made by the               Cabinet in relation to this matter; and

(3)      the matter be not referred back for further consideration and it be    recommended that the Cabinet decision be implemented immediately following this meeting.