Agenda and minutes

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillors Greenhalgh and Y Frampton from the Committee, the Monitoring Officer, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillors Leggett and Webb to replace them for the purposes of this meeting.  Apologies were noted from Councillor Lambert and Appointed Member Rob Sanders.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 11^th January, 2024 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes for the Committee meeting held on 11^th January, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

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.

FUTURE DELIVERY OF TOWNHILL PARK PLOTS 2, 9 AND 10

The Committee considered the briefing paper attached to this item detailing the forthcoming Cabinet decision regarding the future delivery of Townhill Park Plots 2, 9 and 10. 

Councillor Fielker, Leader of the Council, Tina Dyer-Slade Head of Corporate Estates and Assets and Sue Jones, Interim Estate Regeneration Manager were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the Executive made every effort to avoid the loss of any Right to Buy receipts and kept the Committee updated on upcoming deadlines and plans in train for the use of the receipts.

(ii)  That opportunities were explored by the Executive to deliver upon the historic commitment made by the Council to prioritise housing within the affordable housing schemes proposed for plots 2,9 and 10, to those who were decanted from Townhill Park.

(iii)  That the Executive reflects on the resources involved in undertaking further options appraisals for Plot 10, and, if the resources required were considered to be significant, the option of adding Plot 10 to the Affordable Housing Framework was approved at the earliest opportunity.

The Committee considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager detailing the call-in of Executive Decision CAB 23/24 43623 – Portswood Broadway Next Steps.

Councillor Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Wade Holmes, Service Manager, Integrated Transport, Pete Boustred Head of Transport and Planning, Prof. Roger Brown, Mr Crispin Jameson, Mrs Jane Jameson, Mrs Karen Edwards, Mr Paul Beard, Mr Alistair Cook and Mrs Lorraine Barter were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The Committee discussed the reasons for requisition of Call-in of the decision in accordance with the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 12.5.1, namely:

1.  Lack of adequate consideration, and misrepresentation of the findings from the consultation undertaken by the Council.

2.  Information that would help to inform the decision relating to current pollution levels and bus delays caused by traffic on Portswood Broadway has not been provided.

3.  Concern with regards to disabled access to Portswood Broadway, particularly the chemist.

4.  Concern that changes to the proposals agreed at Cabinet limit the ability to deliver the objectives set for the Portswood Broadway Project.

5.  Lack of clarity in respect of the timetable for the trial and subsequent next steps, and the success criteria to be employed for the bus gate trial.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE

RESOLVED

(i)  to advise the Executive that the Scrutiny Committee does not recommend that the decision be reconsidered and that it can therefore be implemented without delay.   

(ii)  That the co-design process planned for Portswood Broadway includes a specific focus on mitigating the concerns raised by residents about disabled access to local amenities.

(iii)  That the issue returns to the Committee at the conclusion of the trial bus gate to enable the Committee to review the results and to consider the effectiveness of the proposed Active Travel Zone.

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.