Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Cllr Cuthbertson declared a personal non prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4 (Minute 7 refers) as a governor of Burnholme Community College.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2006.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Panel's remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Tuesday, 6 March, at 5.00pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation scheme.

This report updates members on progress in the scrutiny review of the Council-owned land in the Tang Hall area.

Members considered a report, which updated members on progress in the scrutiny review of the Council-owned land in the Tang Hall area, particularly in relation to activities which have taken place since the last meeting.

Members of the Scrutiny Sub-Committee held consultations with residents at Heworth and Hull Road Ward Committees in January and February 2007.  They also held a meeting with representatives of community groups at Tang Hall Community Centre on 13 February 2007. A summary of the comments raised by people attending these meetings could be found at Annex C. On 2 March 2007 officers from Property Services met with Ward Members and Service Representatives to discuss the structure of the Area Asset Management Plan.

In addition, at the last meeting, Members wished to find out what options would be available to consult with the public in the Heworth and Hull Road ward areas. The supporting Scrutiny Officer had made enquiries and ascertained estimated costs of a postal survey, leaflet distribution, insert to or questions within a ward newsletter, online survey, leaflets in libraries or focus groups discussions.  These costs could be found at Annex A.

Officers from Property Services updated Members on the meeting with Ward Members which took place on 2 March. It was reported that the feedback from the consultation meetings with Tang Hall residents (Annex C) and other issues were discussed. Officers felt that there was enough information available to put a draft Asset Management Plan together by end of March. It was proposed that the draft plan be circulated to the Scrutiny Ad Hoc Committee members at a meeting in April and then the agreed draft be taken to Ward Committees and Community Groups for their views during May 2007. Approval from the Executive would be sought in June/July 2007,

The following priorities were raised by officers:

• The use of Glen Gardens. It was proposed that the play area already there be replaced and the southern end be tidied up with a new entrance by the family centre.
• The use of the playing fields. It was suggested that ownership of the playing fields could be transferred to the council to be used as a public open space. The southern end could be fenced off to make a formal community facility and the northern end opened up for community use. It was proposed that Section 106 money in the area could be used to manage the site and provide revenue from leisure facilities.
• Affordable housing sites were needed. Four possible areas had been identified: -
  • Garage site on 5^th Avenue. However there was a planning application submitted for this site already.
  • 8^th Avenue allotment site. However, there was a sub station on it which restricts access. The Electricity Board was looking to remove it though.
  • The strip along the allotments on the corner of 6^th Avenue.
  • South West corner of playing fields.
• The use of the library. The consultation revealed that the library was also used by residents of Osbaldwick and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.