Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Terms of Reference for the Joint Venture Working Party (attached).

Report AGREED by 30 votes to 9.

A report of the Chief Executive recommended changes to the Constitution reflecting the decision at Annual Council to create a Joint Venture Working Party and to establish Terms of Reference for this.

The following questions on the report were submitted on behalf of the Residents’ Group and received responses by way of written reply as shown below:

1. Given that the council’s strategic vision for regeneration is already settled and a partner appointed, what advice would the Leader of the Council anticipate will be provided by the Joint Venture Working Party to officers and the Cabinet?

I am pleased you agree that the Council has a clear strategic vision.  The Working Group is an opportunity  for Members from across groups to consider the regeneration programme in detail and comment accordingly.

2. Would the Leader of the Council agree that ensuring that third parties understand his Administration’s vision for house-based regeneration is the role of officers and the council’s Communication Team and not the Joint Venture Working Party?

Council officers including the communications team have a very important role to play, but we are the elected representatives of our community so must  communicate our vision and our expectations of other parties.   

3. Who would the Leader of the Council expect the Joint Venture Working Party to be lobbying for infrastructure improvements?

I anticipate that the Working Party will consider how it engages in supporting any lobbying the council may do. It is important that the council has one voice in respect of lobbying.

4. Would the Leader of the Council agree that Ward Councillors would be in the best position to know what local infrastructure is needed and what is best for their local community from a regeneration scheme rather than the Joint Venture Working Party?

Ward Members have a great deal of knowledge and we will certainly be listening to their views as well as the Working Group – it is not one or the other.    Infrastructure requirements also cross ward boundaries and the impact of  regeneration is not limited to those who live in or close to new developments.  That is why it is right to give Members from across the Borough the opportunity to consider these matters as well as Ward Councillors.   

5. At what stage of the process would the Leader of the Council anticipate the Joint Venture Working Party will advise on whether any new housing development is appropriate and designed to meet local needs?

I would expect that the Working Group will comment on these matters from the outset.   

6. Would the Leader of the Council provide clarity on how he sees the Joint Venture Working Party working with the Strategic Planning Committee to avoid duplication?

There is a clear distinction of responsibilities.  The Joint Venture Working Group will comment to the Cabinet in its executive role.  The Strategic Planning Committee is by law a separate decision making body independent from the Cabinet and from the Joint Venture Working Group.    

The report was AGREED by 31 votes to 9 (see division 2) and it was RESOLVED:

That the existing wording of Part 4 (Rules of Procedure) ‘Committee Procedure Rules’ Paragraph 17 of the Council’s Constitution, be deleted and replaced with wording as set out on Appendix 1 to these minutes.