Issue - meetings

Report of the Portfolio Holder – Partnerships and Transformation

The Chair of Bolsover Partnership presented a report proposing the Bolsover Sustainable Community Strategy 2020-2023 (attached to the report) for approval. The report recommended that Council endorse the Sustainable Community Strategy 2020-2023 with a view to an official launch at Bolsover Partnership’s AGM in April 2020.

She explained that the Partnership Strategy and Policy team had direct responsibility for producing a Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for Bolsover District, and the team also ensured consultation took place via Bolsover Partnership as the vehicle that brought together the four sectors of public, private, community and voluntary to agree the priorities within the Strategy. This SCS spanned the same period of time as the Council Plan to promote alignment of priorities and to assist the performance monitoring element for the Council and its partners.

The Chair invited Members to ask any questions about the report.

Councillor James Watson asked Councillor Mary Dooley (Portfolio Holder for Partnerships and Transformation) why there appeared to be no mention in the proposed Strategy about air quality and the impact it could have on residents. Councillor Mary Dooley assured him that other areas and bodies outside the Bolsover Partnership did address air pollution, particularly Planning Committee. The Chair added that it was a topic also covered by Healthy, Safe, Clean and Green Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor James Watson believed that by not including air quality in the Strategy as a priority, it did not reflect the importance of the issue.

The recommendation in the report was moved by Councillor Mary Dooley and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake.  Councillor Sandra Peake reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Mary Dooley spoke on the motion by stating her belief that the proposed Strategy reflected the commitment Members had made to their communities.

Councillor James Watson requested that his disapproval of the recommendation be recorded.

On being put to a vote it was RESOLVED that Council endorses the Sustainable Community Strategy 2020-2023 with a view to an official launch at Bolsover Partnership’s AGM in April 2020.

(Head of Leader’s Executive)

NB: Cllr James Watson left the meeting at this point.