Agenda item

(i)            Crown Close Open Space – Repairs to Surrounding Roads and Footpaths

The recommendation from the Cabinet was proposed by Councillor M. J. A. Webb and seconded by Councillor Dr. D. W. P. Booth.

RESOLVED that the Capital Programme 2012/2013 be increased by £40,000 to enable the resurfacing of footpaths and the road at Crown Close Open Space, Bromsgrove to be undertaken and that this be funded by way of Section 106 monies.

(ii)          Finance Monitoring – Quarter 2 2012/2013

The recommendations from the Cabinet were proposed by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the 2012/2013 Capital Programme be increased by £108,000 to reflect additional funding received from the Football Foundation and Stoke Parish Council in respect of the following sports and play schemes:

·         Braces Lane (Football Foundation) - £50,000

·         Barnsley Hall (Football Foundation) - £48,000

·         Stoke Heath (Stoke Parish Council) - £10,000

(b)       that the following             capital funding be carried forward into 2013/2014 in respect of the capital schemes which will not be undertaken in 2012/2014;

·         Parkside development and Public Realm improvements - £1,400,000

·         Regulatory Services - £58,000

(iii)         Housing Growth Consultation

(Councillor R. J. Laight in the Chair)

Councillor R. Hollingworth reported that since the meeting of the Cabinet on 6^th February 2013, Redditch Borough Council had also considered the recommendation on public consultation on Housing Growth but had made no decision on the matter at the meeting of the Council on 18^th February 2013. Councillor Hollingworth referred to the very detailed preparatory work which had been undertaken by officers in respect of the sites contained in the consultation document “Housing Growth Consultation” and the supporting background evidence.

Members considered the proposed consultation and queried the position with regard to affordable housing and the size of units to be provided. Councillor P. McDonald requested clarification on  densities in respect of affordable housing and the Portfolio Holder stated he would consult with officers and provide a written answer. It was confirmed that the properties would be to meet the needs of Redditch, but that any planning application would be determined by this Council’s Planning Committee.

Following a proposal from Councillor Hollingworth which was seconded by Councillor C. B. Taylor it was 

RESOLVED

(a)  that the consultation document Housing Growth Consultation (Appendix 1) and the supporting background evidence report (Appendix 2) and the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 3) be approved;

(b)  that in the light  of the decision of Redditch Borough Council not to approve the proposals for consultation on cross border growth, that a letter be sent from this Council to Redditch Borough Council to request that Redditch Borough Council reconsiders its position under the duty to co-operate;

(c)  that it be agreed that the start of the public consultation period be deferred until 1^st April 2013 to allow Redditch Borough Council to consider its response to the letter referred to at (b) above; and

(d)  that authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Planning Regeneration Regulatory and Housing Services, in consultation with the Leader, to arrange for the letter referred at (b) to be sent and to consider the response from Redditch Borough Council.

(iv)         Redevelopment of the Former Parkside Middle School, Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove

(Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths in the Chair)

The recommendations from the Cabinet were proposed by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey.

Councillor R. Hollingworth reminded Members of the background to the proposals in respect of the redevelopment of the Parkside building including the intention to dispose of the Burcot Lane site in order to fund the Parkside redevelopment in conjunction with the Worcestershire County Council. This would also significantly contribute to the regeneration of the Town Centre.

Councillor P. M. McDonald queried whether it was in the interests of the District Council to invest heavily in the former Parkside site in view of the condition of the building which had been in the ownership of the County Council. The Leader reminded Members that the original intention had been to utilise the Parkside site for an Emergency “Blue Light” Centre but this had been impossible due to the Listing of the Building. The envisaged redevelopment of the Burcot Lane site would also enable the provision of much needed housing within the Town.

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Capital Programme 2013/2014 be increased by a further £130,000 and that this sum be paid to Worcestershire County Council in order to acquire a fifty percent interest in the former Parkside Middle School; and

(b)  that Capital Assets relating to the relocation of services from The Council House on completion of the redevelopment be released and these capital receipts (estimated at approximately £2,100,000) be used to support the capital expenditure previously agreed.