Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor S.A. Robinson.

It was noted that Councillor J.W. Robinson was a substitute member for Councillor S.A. Robinson.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

No declarations of interest were received nor of any whipping arrangements.

The attached papers were specified as “to follow” on the Agenda previously distributed relating to the above mentioned meeting.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Leisure Services presented the Bromsgrove Play Audit and Investment Strategy report to the Board as detailed below:

• The report set out a factual analysis of the play equipment within the District, detailing Council owned sites, location and who managed the specific areas.
• The Play Audit and Investment Strategy sought to address deficiencies in play provision across the District, allowing all households, where reasonably practicable, to have access to good quality play spaces within walking times of up to 10 to 15 minutes.

• Responding to the recommendations in the Leisure and Culture Strategy for Bromsgrove, a detailed Play Audit and Investment Strategy had been completed with costings also included.

• There were currently 85 play areas across the District. A total of 40 were owned and managed by Bromsgrove District Council, the other 45 were owned and managed by other Organisations including Parish Councils, Community Associations and private Management Companies. The Bromsgrove Play Audit which considered the accessibility of play provision, considered the contribution of all 85 play spaces. The Bromsgrove Play Investment Strategy was focused on the 40 play spaces for which Bromsgrove District Council had responsibility.

• The formation of the Cabinet Advisory Group (CAG) provided some useful discussions including the condition of play areas, approaching “end of life”.  As instructed by CAG, Officers carried out a public consultation, with a useful session being held with the Consultant to discuss Foxgrove Way in more detail.

• The Assistant Director of Planning and Leisure Services concluded the presentation, adding that the analysis had been useful to define the location, condition and the work that was required for the play equipment.  It was also fundamental that decisions regarding funding should be done in a controlled and managed way.  S106 contributions would also be a factor when allocating the appropriate funding.

During consideration of the item, Members discussed a number of points:

·         Members expressed the view that it was disappointing the Consultant was not present for the meeting. – It was advised that the consultancy was relatively small and specialised but that the matter would be addressed. 

·         It was also queried why consultancy was necessary for the project. – It was explained that there had been an opportunity for funding through salary savings.  Various recommendations from Cabinet had been set in terms of the leisure strategy and required completion within short timescales.

·         Members discussed that the CAG sessions had been productive and demonstrated that the forums were beneficial.

·         It was queried how the assessments had been carried out, in particular, with regard to the number of households in the District, having accessibility to play areas within a walking time of up to 10 to 15 minutes.  Members also expressed the view that the quality of the equipment should have been more of a consideration over the distance it took to access the area. -  Members were advised that accessibility has been cross referenced with demographic health data including Inherited Metabolic Diseases (IMD), Health Deprivation and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64/24

The attached papers were specified as “to follow” on the Agenda previously distributed relating to the above mentioned meeting.

The Principal Conservation Officer presented the Bromsgrove Local Heritage List to Members and discussed the following:

·         The report updated Members on the tasks which were undertaken by the Conservation Team to prepare the Bromsgrove Local Heritage List (LHL).  Work for the Parishes of Alvechurch, Beoley, Belbroughton and Fairfield and Dodford with Grafton had been completed and Members were being asked to recommend to Council that the final version of the lists be approved. The report also gave an update of progress for other areas within the District.

·         Draft lists for Alvechurch, Beoley, Belbroughton and Fairfield and

Dodford with Grafton Parishes were compiled earlier in the year, ready for consultation. The lists would add 140 properties to the draft LHL, covering a diverse range of properties including houses, schools, village halls, places of worship and canal infrastructure.

·         A six-week consultation period had commenced on Monday 27th May 2024.  Letters were sent to all owners/occupiers providing information about the consultation, including the listing for their property.

• Conservation Officers had attended conservation events in  village halls for each parish. Information on the LHL was made available and Conservation Officers answered questions accordingly.

• Following completion of the Consultation process and having

considered all the comments received, the LHL for each parish was finalised.  The Conservation Team were asking Cabinet to recommend that Council approve the LHL list which would then be a material consideration in the planning process.

• Work was continuing on the lists for Bromsgrove Town and the parishes of Lickey and Blackwell and Wythall. In relation to Bromsgrove Town, a meeting had been held with the History Group of the Bromsgrove Society.

• The Conservation Team had also reviewed better use of the GIS and databases to digitise as much of the process as possible for efficiency and to pre-empt changes likely to flow from the corporate GIS strategy.

• The new Conservation Officer had commenced work on Bournheath Parish.  The work for Wythall and Bromsgrove, subject to the input from the Bromsgrove Society, was nearer completion. Work on Lickey and Blackwell had been delayed due to the Principal Conservation Officer responding to the consultation on the first four parishes. Relevant Officers were proposed to go out to consultation and then moving onto preparing another tranche of draft lists.

Following the presentation Members thanked the Conservation Team for the tasks undertaken to prepare the Bromsgrove Local Heritage List (LHL), noting that it was positive that some areas of the District were getting recognition.

RECOMMENDED that

The Cabinet RECOMMEND that:-

1)    The Local Heritage List at Appendix 1 for the following parishes is adopted.

Alvechurch

Beoley

Belbroughton and Fairfield

Dodford with Grafton

2)    The wording of the Officer Scheme of Delegations for the Local Heritage List be updated as set on in Appendix 2.

3)    The amended Local Heritage List Strategy set out at Appendix 3 be approved.

There was no urgent business for consideration.

The Cabinet Work Programme was discussed by the Board as follows:

• The Democratic Services Officer informed Members of an addition to the Cabinet Work Programme, since the last Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting with Bin Replacements being considered by Cabinet on 7^th January 2025.

·         The Board agreed to the proposal made by the Chairman that the Food Waste Business Case and Associated Waste Related Issues item, to be considered by Cabinet on 7^th January 2025, be pre-scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Boad on 6^th January 2025. 

·         A Member requested that the Cabinet Membership be reviewed and amended on the Cabinet Work Programme.  Officers agreed to action the request accordingly.

·         Members queried why an Independent Remuneration Panel Recommendation meeting was being held when a pay review was imminent.  - Members were advised that the item was an annual review, in advance of the municipal year.

·         The Bromsgrove District Plan Consultation key decision was discussed.  Members expressed the view that there should be a full consultation carried out with public engagement being part of the formal process.  – It was advised by the Chief Executive that the purpose of the report was to enable Officers to go out to consultation.  The report would be prepared with options for Council and Cabinet to agree the basis of the consultation and would also be available for the Overview and Scrutiny Board to consider the report prior to Council and Cabinet review.  Members also expressed the view that the consultation period was considered short and that an effective consultation period was required.  The Leader of the Council advised Members that timeframes would be considered based on Government policy.

RESOLVED that the content of the Cabinet Work Programme be noted as per the preamble above.

The Overview and Scrutiny Board work programme was considered by Members. 

The Democratic Services Officer agreed to add the Food Waste Business Case and Associated Waste Related Issues to the Work Programme, to be pre-scrutinised by the Board on 6^th January 2025.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be noted.

The Democratic Services Officer informed Members of two additions to the Cabinet Work Programme, since the last Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting which were as follows:

• The repainting of the lampposts in Windsor Street for the Levelling Up project would be commencing in the Spring/Summer 2025 (weather permitting).
• The review of wording in the report regarding Climate Change Implications for the Levelling Up project would be implemented in future reports.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board Action sheet be noted.

RESOLVED: that under Section 100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraph of that part, in each case, being as set out below and that it is in the public interest to do so:-

RESOLVED: that under Section 100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraph of that part, in each case, being as set out below and that it is in the public interest to do so:-

The minutes of this meeting held on 19^th November 2024, including the exempt record, are included in this agenda.

The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 19^th November 2024 were considered.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 19^th November 2024 be agreed as a true and correct record.