Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update on information relating to a previously registered scrutiny topic on the implementation of planning conditions and the adoption of new estates.

Members received a briefing report on the adoption of highways on new estates from the Assistant Director for City Development and Transport.  This was requested at the last meeting for further information and clarification as a result of the issue being suggested as a scrutiny topic by Councillor Simpson-Laing.

Members asked the Officer a variety of questions relating to:

·        The adoption of sewers

·        The use of certain materials on residential roads

·        Section 38 Agreements between the Local Authority and Developers.

Further discussions on the proposed scrutiny topic ensued and it was agreed that the focus of any review undertaken should be on the adoption of new estates rather than planning conditions.  Several Members expressed interest in a training session on this subject, which had been mentioned in the original feasibility report dated 14 July 2009. It was also noted that a report on adoption issues of new estates would be submitted to the Executive Member Decision Session for City Strategy in September, which would further describe the issues and make recommendations about improvements to the service.

RESOLVED:             To defer the decision on whether to continue with a Scrutiny review on the topic of adoption of new estates until the next meeting.

REASON:                  To note the recommendations from the Executive Member Decision Session in order to not duplicate work already being undertaken.