Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Group considered the requests for scrutiny items submitted by either Councillors or officers using the scrutiny matrix. In respect of the ownership of public and open spaces, the Group raised concerns about ownership of the commercial sites and how the Council dealt with those. Councillors were also concerned about what protection there was for residents, as some sites (Sharphill) were already on their third management company. The Group questioned how this item would be scrutinised and noted that there needed to be an understanding of how legal planning legislation could protect the community space.  It was noted that this item had already been scrutinised and it was agreed that the Group would be given a briefing note covering what the legislation was and what protection could be given to open spaces, to ensure that they were kept in public use.

The Group then discussed the scrutiny matrix related to the Tree Preservation Order Register being made public and online and noted that this had already been discussed and agreed at the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group.

It was noted that the recommendation for the establishment of a Youth Council, raised as a motion at Council in December, had already been agreed.

Discussions took place on alternative energy policies and emerging technologies and the Group was informed that external participation in the item would give Councillors a better understanding and allow them to make their views known. It was also noted that this work would be undertaken by the Local Development Framework Group. The Group discussed the possibility of splitting the cost between other councils and agreed that a session would be held at Scrutiny to allow Councillors to put forward their views. 

The Group discussed the topic of sewage infrastructure and discharge within Rushcliffe and agreed that this item could be considered by either Communities or Growth and Development Scrutiny Group, if external partners were able to attend.

In respect of the scrutiny matrix regarding the Canal and River Trust, the Group stated that it would like a better understanding of what the plans were going forward and agreed that this item would go to Scrutiny.

It was RESOLVED that the work programmes outlined below be agreed.