Agenda item

Due to recent changes in Cabinet responsibilities and in agreement with the Chairman  no Cabinet member will be present to address the Committee. The Committee is asked to note the report and agree any questions or actions they wish to take.

Mr Dignum had been invited to present his priorities and areas of focus over the next year and to answer questions from the Committee on progress towards achieving the aims of the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities.  However, due to recent changes in Cabinet responsibilities, following Mr Dignum’s resignation as Leader on health grounds, and in agreement with the Chairman no Cabinet member was present to address the Committee.  The Committee was asked to note the report and agree any questions or actions they wish to make.

Members made a number of comments. It was important to state that the rural visions were an important consideration for the Council’s Development Plan.  Effort was also required to make stakeholders work closer together in future.  If living and working in the District was an aim of the Chichester Vision, then the issue of high house prices should be addressed in the Vision.  With regard to the West Sussex Gigabyte Project and whether or not it would be completed on time, Mr Ward undertook to provide members with an answer outside of the meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The Chairman read out an email submitted by Mr Palmer, who was unable to attend today, concerning his views on the Southern Gateway project, which expressed his support for a Task and Finish Group.

Members discussed the decision taken by the Council to progress the Southern Gateway project had taken place before the District Council elections in May 2019 and the Council now had a different political balance.  Comments were made that there were still many issues unanswered as well indications during the Southern Gateway public consultation that the community had concerns about issues such as the railway crossing proposals.  Concern was raised as to whether the timings for the southern gateway process achievable considering that the timetable for the partner agreement was scheduled for October 2019 and the signing of the contract scheduled for December 2019.  However, it was noted that there was a fixed schedule set by the Council to be adhered to conform to the rules required by the process. 

Members discussed whether or not a Southern Gateway Task and Finish Group should be set up, as soon as possible.  Officer advice was requested on the proposal for a Task and Finish Group, at this late stage in the Southern Gateway process, whether at this late stage it was practicable and also sought advice concerning the impact on the development market if delayed.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the Council, including this Committee, over an extended period of time had been determined in the delivery of the Southern Gateway project.  However, he believed it was appropriate for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to look at how the project was progressing.  It did not mean that the project as a whole was being questioned, as the Council was in favour of the redevelopment of Chichester.

Mr Ward responded to the advice requested by members.  With regard to Mr Palmer’s comments concerning different types of mix and uses on the sites, this was not necessarily precluded by the Masterplan and would be developed with the interested parties as the project moved through the procurement process.  He confirmed that the Masterplan was a statutory document.  Members should have regard to the fact that full Council had delegated authority to Mr Over, Executive Director and Deputy CEO, right up to the selection of the development partner.  A decision could be made to overturn the project but would require consideration at full Council.  However, the Council’s Constitution did not allow consideration of a Council resolution within six months of taking the decision, unless material considerations came to light.  At this late stage in the process the OJEU procurement process it would be extremely unsettling for the interested development partners to start unpicking the process, especially as shortlisting was currently taking place.  He suggested that if members wished to gain further information the way forward could be for members to receive a briefing on the project from Mr Over instead of setting up at Task and Finish Group.  If members wished to remove the delegated authority or to relook at the Masterplan, this process would have to back to full Council, as it would involve the whole process would have to start again.  Members should err on the side of caution so as not to send out any suggestions that the Council is uncertain about the Masterplan process that the Council went through.

The Chairman advised that if a Task and Finish Group was set up, a tight brief was required that would take into account the concerns raised by both the public and members but would not question the project itself.  The purpose of the Task and Finish Group would be for the Committee can satisfy themselves that they are happy with the progress being made and to have an input to what is happening.  Its purpose would not be to change the process as this was already set down, as Mr Ward had explained.

It was agreed that a Southern Gateway Task and Finish Group should be set up.  Mrs Apel, Mr Hughes, Mr Palmer, Mrs Sharp and Mr Sutton agreed to take part on this Group. on the Task and Finish Group.

A comment was made that it could be seen that the projects in the smaller rural visions had taken on a life of their own in these smaller communities, and that the same enthusiasm should be given to the Chichester Vision, in particular for the pavement repairs project.  Mrs Hotchkiss advised that the High Street it was now a high priority project for the Councill.

The Chairman advised that he intended to have a meeting with the Growth and Place portfolio holder to discuss the points made by the members. 

RESOLVED

a)    That the Growth and Place portfolio report be noted; and

b)    That a Southern Gateway Task and Finish Group be set up and that the membership be confirmed as Mrs Apel, Mr Hughes, Mr Palmer, Mr Potter, Mrs Sharp and Mr Sutton.