Issue - meetings

Councillor Roberts submits a report giving details of the progress of relocation of provision from the John Ellis Centre for lifelong learning and responding to the concerns of the Scrutiny Committee about the future of the site. The Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of the report and consider the Scrutiny Committee’s comments and concerns about the future of the John Ellis site.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report giving details of the progress of relocation of provision from the John Ellis Centre for Lifelong Learning and responding to the concerns of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee about the future of the site.  It was noted that the Centre would be handed over to Corporate Property for disposal to release the capital for the Secondary School Improvement Programme.  Guidance could be written into the supplementary planning guidance for prospective purchasers setting out any community facilities or linkages the Council would wish to see incorporated into any proposals for the redevelopment of the site.

In response to the other concern of the Scrutiny Committee regarding the attendance of the Cabinet Lead Member at their meetings, the Leader stressed to the Cabinet the intention that Cabinet Members would attend meetings of Scrutiny Committees.  In the event that the relevant Cabinet Member was not available then the Deputy Leader or he would endeavour to attend.  However Scrutiny Committees were also asked to issue explicit invitations to Cabinet Members if there was a particular item coming up at a meeting at which they specifically wanted the Cabinet Lead Member's input.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the report be noted, along with the concerns of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee and that the Committee be acquainted with the contents of the report;

(2) that Cabinet Members attend their appropriate Scrutiny Committees and that the Town Clerk ensure that Scrutiny Committees be asked to make it explicit if there was a particular issue coming up on which they wished the contribution of the relevant Cabinet Member.