Issue - meetings

Councillor Kavia submits a report reviewing all programmes funded under the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). The Cabinet is asked to note the achievements of the SRB programmes in 2000/01 and to consider the policy issues set out in the report; and to note the views of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee that Cabinet gives further consideration to the appropriate use of Section 106 powers, Compulsory Purchase Orders and public grant to developers.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report reviewing all the programmes funded under the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB).

In response to comments made by the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee regarding the use of public funds for site development and the subsequent use of Section 106 powers to obtain social benefits, Councillor Kavia stated that negotiations were underway with a number of developers looking to develop sites which had been prepared using SRB funds. Also in reply to comments made regarding the Council using Compulsory Purchase Order powers, he stated that the Council would use these powers under the right circumstances.

With regard to the number of jobs created by the SRB5 programme, Councillor Getliffe informed the meeting that the elected community forum had recently made a bid to the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) to enable them to employ local people in their own right.

Members of the Cabinet also expressed concern regarding the time being taken to hold elections in the SRB6  Area  and asked if there was anything the Council could do to assist the process as Members felt that any delay in the elections could mean the community could miss out on funding to which it was entitled. It was noted that EMDA was currently considering a proposal from the current management board regarding elections and that there was a deadline of 28 February by which time the elections must be held. It was agreed that a meeting should be held between Councillors Willmott, Draycott, Kavia and Officers to discuss any ways in which the Council could assist the process.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the achievements of the SRB programmes in 2000/2001 be noted;

(2)that comments of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee regarding the use of Section 106 powers, Compulsory Purchase Orders and public funds for site development be noted; and

(3)that a meeting be convened between Councillors Willmott, Draycott, Kavia and Officers to discuss any ways in which the Council could assist in the election process in the Greater Humberstone SRB6 programme area.