Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That, in Councillor Farmer’s absence, Councillor Kitterick be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillors Clair, Farmer and Saleh.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Members were asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

Councillor Hunt declared a non-prejudicial interest in respect of Item 7, “City Development Companies”, as he was a former member of the Haymarket and Phoenix Theatre Boards and was a member of EMDA.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 8 February 2007 have been circulated and the Committee is asked to agree them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development and Planning Scrutiny Committee held on 8 February 2007 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Town Clerk to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Town Clerk reported that no petitions had been received.

The Town Clerk reported that no questions, representations or statements of case had been received.

The Acting Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture and the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing submit a report which informs Members of the Government’s planning and housing policy changes in Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing, and advises Members of what these changes mean for Leicester’s current planning policies. The Committee is asked to note the report, in particular how some of the guidance will supersede some of the housing policies adopted in the City of Leicester Local Plan.

PRIVATE SESSION

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Committee is entitled to consider certain items in private. Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Committee is recommended to consider the following item in private on the grounds that it contains ‘exempt’ information, as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, and consequently that the Committee makes the following resolution :-

‘that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to an individual, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”<span lang=EN-GB style='q-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fare

The Service Director, Regeneration, Highways and Transportation, submits a report which gives Members an initial opportunity to discuss the Government’s agenda for City Development Companies (CDCs). The Committee is asked to note the report and receive a full report at its next meeting.

The Service Director, Regeneration, Highways and Transportation submitted a report which gave Members an initial opportunity to discuss the Government’s agenda for City Development Companies (CDCs).

Members stated that they were supportive in principle of the proposals in the report, as long as no capacity or momentum was lost during the change. They agreed that current arrangements were confusing for businesses. They also felt that the Council should be in a position of leadership under the new arrangements.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the report and express its support for the proposals in principle, pending further detail to be supplied at a later date.

The Service Director for Regeneration, Highways and Transportation submits a report which provides a short update on the report that went to the Economic Development and Planning Scrutiny Committee on 19 October 2006 regarding the Leicester Citywide Construction Project and to highlight future project activities and addresses queries raised by Members. The Committee is asked to note the report and comment on progress.

The Service Director for Regeneration, Highways and Transportation submitted a report which provided a short update on the report that was submitted to the Committee on 19 October 2006 regarding the Leicester Citywide Construction Project. The report highlighted future project activities and addressed queries from Members.

It was noted that two representatives from black and minority ethnic and lesbian, gay and bisexual groups had been invited to the meeting at the request of the Committee, but they were unable to attend.

RESOLVED:

                        That the Committee note the report.

The Chief Finance Officer submits a report which updates Members on the progress of the capital programme for 2006/07 up to the end of December (Period 9). The committee is asked to consider issues affecting its portfolio and make any observations to Cabinet as it sees fit.

The Chief Finance Officer submitted a report which updated Members on the progress of the capital programme for 2006/07 up to the end of December  (Period 9).

RESOLVED:

                        That the Committee note the report.

At the request of the Chair and Spokespersons of the Committee, the Chief Finance Officer submits a copy of a report which details the draft Corporate Capital Programme 2007/08.

At the request of the Chair and Spokespersons of the Committee, the Chief Finance Officer submitted a copy of a report which detailed the Corporate Capital Programme 2007/08.

Members acknowledged that the report had been considered by the Resources and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Committee and noted the resolution from their meeting of 15 March 2007. They also noted that the report would be given full consideration at the upcoming Council meeting and agreed not to discuss it at this time.

RESOLVED:

                        That the Committee note the report.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Committee is entitled to consider certain items in private where in the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the matter exempt from publication outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Committee is recommended to consider the following report in private on the grounds that it contains ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended, and consequently that the Committee makes the following resolution:-

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following report in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it involves the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority).

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it involves the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, 'Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)', and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Acting Corporate Director, Regeneration and Culture, submits a report which seeks Members’ approval to support work on a replacement for the Phoenix Theatre (known as the Digital Media Centre or DMC). The Committee is recommended to note the report and make comments as it sees fit.

Members are asked to note that as part of this report, the draft business plan for the DMC will be circulated separately.  These papers are marked ‘NOT FOR PUBLICATION’.  The information in these papers is exempt as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended and it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  The information therefore must not be disclosed or discussed at the meeting.  Should Members wish to refer to any of these details it is recommended that the meeting move into private session.

The Corporate Director, Regeneration and Culture, submitted a report which sought Members’ approval to support work on a replacement for the Phoenix Theatre (known as the Digital Media Centre or DMC).

Members discussed the necessity for such a centre in the city and whether there would be sufficient demand for the project, considering how many similar centres were being set up in neighbouring cities. It was stated that the Leicester project was required and would be viable because of support from De Montfort University, as it would allow for graduate retention within the city. In addition, other, unique elements were to be included which made the project different to others within the East Midlands. The need to replace the Phoenix site was also explained and Members asked for supporting detail which identified this need to be provided prior to the issue’s consideration at Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the report and ask that information which identified need of such a project be circulated to Members prior to consideration at Council.

The Acting Corporate Director, Regeneration and Culture, submits a report.

The Acting Corporate Director, Regeneration and Culture, submitted a report concerning the Leicester Theatre Trust’s Business Plan for the operation of the Performing Arts Centre.

Members asked for further detail about sponsorship opportunities and clarification about breakdown of grants. These were explained to the Committee. Members also queried the terms of the warranty and insurance and who would be responsible for any repairs or maintenance needed. It was suggested that it would be more appropriate for the Environment and Culture Scrutiny Committee to consider this aspect of the project.

RESOLVED:

                        That the Committee note the report.

The meeting closed at 6.10pm.