Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the outcome of the second stage of the public consultation on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and asks Members to advise on which proposals should be submitted to the Local Government Association, taking into account the feedback from the consultation process.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the information provided in the report and annexes concerning the outcome of the public consultation exercise be noted.

REASON:      So that Members can be satisfied that the consultation has met the requirements of the Council motion on the Sustainable Communities Act by ensuring that the topic was discussed at all ward committees across the City.

                        (ii)        That Officers be advised that the seven most supported proposals should be submitted to the LGA, having regard to, and bearing in mind, the risk management implications set out in paragraph 33 of the report.

REASON:      In the light of the results of consultation and to ensure compliance with the 31 July deadline for submission of proposals.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the outcome of the second stage of public consultation on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and sought advice as to which proposals should be submitted to the Local Government Association by the deadline of 31 July 2009.

In accordance with the Executive decisions on 9 June 2009, a total of 48 proposals had gone forward to the second consultation stage, which had included consideration by the Without Walls Executive Board and the Citizens’ Panel, as well as a web-based city-wide consultation exercise.  These proposals were listed in Annex 3 to the report.  Results of the consultation were presented in Annexes 5 and 6 and in paragraphs 15 to 22.  The seven proposals highlighted as preferred suggestions were listed in paragraph 23.  Officers drew attention at the meeting to a letter received from Essex County Council offering their support for the seventh proposal on the list, relating to landfill tax.

Members welcomed the support from Essex County Council and congratulated the Officers involved for their hardworking and professional approach to the consultation process.  The Chair extended particular thanks to Zoe Burns the Head of Neighbourhood Management and Business Support, who would shortly be leaving the Council, for her work over the past 14 years.

Having noted the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the information provided in the report and annexes concerning the outcome of the public consultation exercise be noted.

REASON:      So that Members can be satisfied that the consultation has met the requirements of the Council motion on the Sustainable Communities Act by ensuring that the topic was discussed at all ward committees across the City.

                        (ii)        That Officers be advised that the seven most supported proposals should be submitted to the LGA, having regard to, and bearing in mind, the risk management implications set out in paragraph 33 of the report.¹

REASON:      In the light of the results of consultation and to ensure compliance with the 31 July deadline for submission of proposals.