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.

No interests were declared.  However, the Chair noted that Cllr Simpson-Laing had chosen not to take part in the meeting, on the basis of her involvement with the Back Park Steering Group, and was in attendance as an observer.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is by 5pm the working day before the meeting. Members of the public can speak on specific planning applications or on other agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of this agenda.

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

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) held on 31 March 2008.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) held on 31 March 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To consider the decision of the Executive on the above item, which has been called in by Councillors Alexander, Bowgate and Crisp in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution.  A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in, the remit and powers of Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) in relation to the call-in procedure, together with the original report and decision of the Executive.

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decision taken by the Executive, at their meeting on 6 May 2008, in relation to a petition submitted to full Council in November 2007 seeking the removal of Back Park, in Balfour Street, from the list of leisure land for potential sale.

The Executive’s decision, as set out on the decision list published after the meeting, was attached as Annex A to the report.  The original report on which the decision had been based was attached as Annex B.  In summary, the Executive had noted the petition and asked Officers to undertake an area asset management review in the Leeman Road area.  This decision had been called in by Cllrs Alexander, Bowgett and Crisp for the following reason:

“That the Executive did not follow the full recommendations of the Shadow Executive, namely:

• Back Park, aka Balfour Street Play Area, should not be sold off
• Investigations to legal title and ability to sell the land should be halted.”

Members were asked to consider the following options:

Option A – confirm the decision of the Executive, on the grounds that there was no basis for asking them to reconsider their decision;

Option B – refer the matter back to the Executive for them to reconsider or amend their decision.

Cllr Crisp addressed the meeting on behalf of the Calling-in Members.  She stated that the poor condition of the land in question was due to neglect over the past four years and failure to carry out the repair work approved at the Leisure and Culture EMAP meeting in September 2006.  She expressed concern regarding proposals to use only part of the proceeds of any sale towards improvement of the local area.  She confirmed that residents did not want any part of the land to be sold and urged the Committee to consider the recommendations of the Shadow Executive.

Following questions to Cllr Crisp and the author of the Executive report, and after a full debate, Cllr Scott moved, and Cllr Taylor seconded, that the decision be referred back to the Executive (Option B), with a recommendation that they make the following additional resolution:

“That this parcel of land be removed from the list of disposals, pending the outcome of the area asset management review.”

On being put to the vote, the above motion was declared carried and it was

RESOLVED: That Option B be approved and the decision referred back to the Executive for reconsideration, with a recommendation that they make the following additional resolution:

“That this parcel of land be removed from the list of disposals, pending the outcome of the area asset management review.”

REASON:      In accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution and to ensure that a proper and comprehensive review of the area can be undertaken.