Agenda and minutes

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillors Moulton and Paffey from the Committee, the Monitoring Officer, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillors Fitzhenry and Finn to replace them for the purposes of this meeting.  Apologies were also noted from Councillor Quadir.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 22^nd November, 2023 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes for the Committee meeting held on 22 November, 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

The Committee considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport regarding the Portswood Broadway Transforming Cities Fund scheme following a second public consultation carried out between August - October 2023. 

Councillor Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Pete Boustred, Head of Transport and Planning, Wade Holmes, Service Manager for Integrated Transport, Mr Roger Brown, Chair of Highfield Residents Committee, Ms Karen Edwards, Portswood Residents Gardens and local residents Mrs Lorraine Barter, Mr Ron Meldrum, Mr Crispin Jameson and Mrs Jane Jameson were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  That, as he appraises the feedback from the consultation process, the Cabinet Member reflects on the issues raised by the Committee and residents at tonight’s meeting when determining the preferred option for the development of Portswood Broadway;

(ii)  That the Service Manager for Integrated Transport provides the Committee with the target for modal shift associated with the TCF programme, and specifically the Portswood Corridor Scheme;

(iii)  That the Service Manager for Integrated Transport clarifies when the referenced traffic survey would be undertaken and whether it would coincide with major roadworks within the vicinity of Portswood Broadway.

(iv)  That, reflecting the Committee’s concerns that the detail within the report did not adequately address the request made when the issue was considered by the Committee in February 2023, the Committee recommended that the Cabinet Member and officers clearly demonstrate within the decision-making report, how the proposals would impact on the city’s net zero ambitions.

NOTE:  Councillors Blackman and Finn declared a personal and pecuniary interest in this item and remained at the meeting. 

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to examine the content of the Forward Plan and to discuss issues of interest or concern with the Executive. 

DRAFT HOMELESSNESS AND ROUGH SLEEPING STRATEGY

The Committee considered the briefing paper attached to this item detailing the forthcoming Cabinet decision regarding the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029.   

Councillor Fielker, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing, Jamie Brenchley, Director of Housing and Maria Byrne, Service Lead: Housing Needs and Welfare were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED that a report updating the Committee on progress delivering the objectives outlined within the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy was considered on an annual basis by the Committee, commencing after January 2025 to reflect annual survey timings.

PROTECTION OF GREEN SPACES/AMENITY SPACE IN COUNCIL HOUSING ESTATES

The Committee received and noted the briefing paper attached to this item detailing a proposed new policy that protects amenity land / green spaces in housing estates and only enables the sale of such land in exceptional circumstances.

Councillor Fielker, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing, Tina Dyer-Slade, Head of Corporate Estate and Assets, Ola Onabajo, Service Manager: Asset Management and Lindsay McCulloch, Natural Environment Manager were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The Committee noted the report of the Scrutiny Manager which enabled the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings.