Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Tricia Clough, Councillor Sandra Peake (Portfolio Holder - Housing) and Natalie Etches (Business Growth Manager).

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chair had no urgent items of business.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

The Chair declared that for transparency during discussions about Shirebrook Crematorium, she was a member of Shirebrook Town Council.

To consider the minutes of the Local Growth Scrutiny Committee meeting on 20^th October 2021.

Moved by Councillor David Dixon and seconded by Councillor Derek Adams.

RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of a Local Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 20th October 2021 be approved as a true and correct record.

(Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List of

Key Decisions for any further information.  NB: If Members wish to discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the meeting only).

The Scrutiny and Elections Officer presented the list of Key Decisions to Members.

Moved by Councillor David Dixon and seconded by Councillor Derek Adams.

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and Items to be considered in private document be noted.

The Assistant Director of Development and Planning presented a report on the progress against activities set out in the Growth Strategy.

Councillor Derek Adams referred to the mention of Oxcroft House in the Strategy and asked if there had been any interest in renting the building.  The Assistant Director of Development and Planning explained that there had been interest, but it had been prevented due to an issue with the condition of the building.

The Assistant Director of Development and Planning went through some of the items in the Action Plan and provided more detail.

He explained that regarding the Coal Authority’s two completed feasibility studies relating to the use of geothermal energy at Creswell and Whitwell Tip, he added that the Council might not be able to use the water from Whitwell Tip for energy because of its salinity and depth below the surface. Derbyshire County Council was waiting for the Coal Authority to sign the Section 106 agreement before they could issue their permission for restoration of the tip.

The Assistant Director of Development and Planning explained that the Business Engagement strategy draft had gone out for consultation. He also explained that leisure officers would need to be consulted on the cycling and walking guides, and planting for Community Woodlands would begin in December.

Councillor David Dixon asked for an update on the Clowne Garden Village development. The Assistant Director of Development and Planning explained that it would be difficult to get an appropriate solution for the Treble Bob roundabout because an appeal about the decision to refuse planning permission for development at Mastin Moor had been received by Chesterfield Borough Council and they had not defended it.

Councillor Duncan McGregor (Deputy Leader) spoke about how people would be relying on the Robin Hood Line with the HS2 line not happening.

A draft Social Value Index table was circulated by Assistant Director of Development and Planning. Members agreed they were satisfied with the draft version.

Noting of the Growth Strategy and Action Plan was moved by Councillor Derek Adams and seconded by Councillor David Dixon.

RESOLVED that the Growth Strategy and Action Plan be noted.

N.B. Councillor Clive Moesby left the meeting at this point.

The Scrutiny and Elections Officer presented the Work Programme 2021/22 to the Committee.

Councillor Jim Clifton requested that the Committee receive an update on the Coalite site. The Assistant Director of Development and Planning explained that an update on the site would be prepared for the next meeting of Local Growth Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny and Elections Officer asked if the Assistant Director of Development and Planning could investigate how other local authorities were carrying out social value work. The Assistant Director of Development and Planning stated he would prepare this for the next meeting of Local Growth Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Derek Adams moved and Councillor Jen Wilson seconded to approve the attached Work Programme 2021/22.

RESOLVED that Members approve the Programme attached at Appendix 1.

(Scrutiny and Elections Officer)

To move:-

“That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006)”.

Councillor David Dixon moved and Councillor Derek Adams seconded that the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

N.B. Councillor Duncan McGregor left the meeting at this point. The Assistant Director of Property Services & Housing Repairs, the Property Services Manager and the Housing Assistant – Estates entered the meeting at this point.

The Property Services Manager presented a Garage sites review status table (status as of November 2021) to Members.

Councillor Jim Clifton moved and Councillor Derek Adams seconded to note the Garage Site programme.

RESOLVED that Members note the Garage Site Programme.

The meeting concluded at 12:03 hours.