Meeting documents

PRESENT: Councillor Mrs Davies (Chairman);  Councillors Cole, Cooper, Evett, Isham, Jennings, Metherell, Newman, Mrs Willetts and Mrs Worgan.  Councillors Barclay, Mrs Brandis, Mrs Jamieson and Mrs Paternoster attended also.

APOLOGY: Councillor Mrs Butler.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of 5th September, 2001 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered a report suggesting a three stage framework for reviewing areas of policy and service delivery as part of the scrutiny function as follows:-

Stage 1 - Initial scoping report setting out the issues involved and the parameters for the review;

Stage 2 - Gathering evidence from those involved in delivering and receiving a particular service;

Stage 3 - Considering all the evidence and framing recommendations for further consideration.

Such an approach meant that a work programme would have to be structured well in advance with each area of review being considered at three separate meetings.  As referred to elsewhere in these Minutes, this Committee's previously approved work programme had been re-drawn to illustrate a three stage review process.

Members appreciated that scrutiny and review was a relatively new concept in local government and the introduction of a structured framework for the process should assist understanding and contribute to consistency.  

RESOLVED -

That the three stage arrangement outlined above be adopted as the framework for scrutiny reviews for the remainder of this year's cycle of meetings.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Property and Construction Services, prepared to enable Members to scope their examination of the Major Development Areas (MDAs) copies of which, had previously been sent to all Members of the Council.

The report reminded Members of how the MDAs had been designated as part of the Local Plan process.  The Local Plan contained the requirements for each MDA.  A Planning Brief needed to be prepared for each of the MDAs.  The Planning Brief, which would translate Local Plan policies into more detailed proposals were now in preparation by the development consortia in partnership with the Council.  A Seminar on the consultation draft of the Weedon Hill MDA Planning Brief had been arranged for all Members on 29th November, 2001.  The Committee concurred with the suggestion that this document should be used by Members as the basis for understanding the formulation and aims of planning briefs and that as such, should be discussed at the next meeting.

The report of the Director of Planning, Property and Construction Services also suggested a number of topics for consideration by this Committee as part of the scrutiny process.  These included the following:-

RESOLVED -

Consideration was also given to the report of the Director of Planning, Property and Construction Services, prepared to enable Members to scope their examination of the proposal to redevelop Sites A and B, Aylesbury.  This report had been circulated previously to all Members of the Council.

RESOLVED -

That the seven stakeholders listed below be invited to give a ten minute presentation to the next meeting as part of the evidence gathering process (Stage 2) in connection with the development of Sites A and B, Aylesbury:-

Aylesbury Canal Society

Aylesbury Society

Aylesbury Town Council

Buchanans (re: Exchange Street Study)

Old Town Residents Association

Queens Park Centre

Town Centre Partnership

As referred to elsewhere in these Minutes, Members considered a revised work programme for this Committee.  The suggestion that an additional meeting be arranged to consider the draft County Structure Plan was supported.

Having noted the situation with regard to those issues included on previous work programmes and now deleted, it was

RESOLVED -