Minutes for Regeneration and Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, Jan 7 2009, 7.30PM official page

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Regeneration and Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 30th October 2008.     

On item 1, it was

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Regeneration and Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 30th October 2008 be confirmed and signed as correct.

The minutes were thereupon signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of personal and prejudicial interests in any of the matters to be considered at the meeting.   

On item 2, Councillor Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Paper No. 09-23 insofar as his employer has clients with freehold and leasehold interests in Northcote Road; a personal interest in Paper No. 09-24 insofar as his employer has clients with freehold and leasehold interests in Northcote Road; and a personal interest in Paper No. 09-30 insofar as he is a member of the governing body of Battersea Park School.

Councillor Mrs. McDermott declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Paper No. 09-23 insofar as she is a director of a business located in Webbs Road which may benefit from proposals set out in that paper; and a personal interest in Paper No. 09-28 as a member of the Balham Town Centre Partnership Board. 

To receive, as information, oral presentation by the Economic Development Officer on the economic impact of the downturn.

On item 3, the Committee received  an oral report by the Economic Development Officer on the economic impact of the downturn. Members noted the points made by the Economic Development Officer on the impact of recession, GDP forecasts for 2008, affected sectors, potential growth, and help for businesses and residents. After answering questions raised by members the report was received as information.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the appointment of a partner to deliver the employment support service for young black unemployed males of Caribbean heritage.  (Attached)

On item 4, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

The Chairman, Councillor Davies vacated the chair at 8.04 p.m., which was taken by the Deputy Chairman, Councillor Cuff. 

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the ‘Essence of Northcote Road’ study.  (Attached)

On item 5, the Committee agreed that Councillor Dawson, not being a member of the Committee, could speak as a ward councillor on Paper No. 09-23. After discussion on the report, it was

RESOLVED - (by 5 votes to 0) That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3, subject to an amendment to include an additional paragraph (j) on page 6 instructing the Economic Development Officer to work with residents and business groups in planning for year 4 and beyond.

(with regard to the declarations of interest made earlier, the Chairman, Councillor Davies and Councillor Mrs. McDermott left the room and took no part in discussion or decision on Paper No. 09-23)

Councillor Davies returned to the chair at 8.23 p.m. 

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on a programme to attract inward investment to Wandsworth.  (Attached)

On item 6, during discussion the Head of Environmental Services and Community Safety undertook to liaise with New Covent Garden Market to arrange a visit to the site for members of the Committee. It was then

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on funding bids to support economic development and regeneration in the Borough.  (Attached)

On item 7, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the results of the ballot for a Business Improvement District by Garratt Business Park Management Ltd.  (Attached)

On item 8, the Committee noted that the summary on page 1 of the report should state that 90.48 of the votes cast and related aggregate rateable value were in favour of the BID. It was then

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the London Development Agency’s Investment Strategy 2009-2013.  (Attached)

On item 9, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - (by 6 votes to 2) That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the Balham Town Centre Partnership’s Business Plan 2009-2012.  (Attached)

On item 10, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the decisions of the meeting of the Roehampton Partnership held on 3rd December 2008.  (Attached)   

Item 11 was received as information.

To receive, as information, report by the Economic Development Officer on the decisions of the meeting of the Power Station Opportunity Board held on 23rd October 2008.  (Attached)   

Item 12 was received as information.

To consider report submitted by Councillor Randall, under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 8 in the Council’s constitution, relating to a survey of residents of Roehampton.  (Attached)

Overview and Procedure Rule 8 entitles any member of an overview and scrutiny committee or their sub-committee(s), or any five members of the Council who are not members of that particular committee or sub-committee, to give notice to the Director of Administration not less than 10 working days prior to a meeting that they wish an item relevant to the functions of the committee or sub-committee to be included on the agenda for the next meeting and to have it discussed.

On item 13, the Committee had before them the report submitted by Councillor Randall under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 8. After discussion, it was

RESOLVED - (by 6 votes to 2) That the Executive be informed that the Committee does not support the recommendations set out in paragraph 3.

To receive, as information, report by the Director of Finance on the regeneration and  community safety revenue budget 2008-2012.  (Attached)

Item 14 was received as information.

To receive, as information, report by the Director of Technical Services on the prosecution under both licensing and health and safety legislation of an unlicensed club with serious public safety concerns.  (Attached)

Item 15 was received as information.

To receive, as information, report by the Director of Technical Services on recent activities by the Trading Standards Section in relation to sales of age-restricted goods and associated matters.  (Attached)

On item 16, the Committee had before them the report by the Director of Technical Services on recent activities by Trading Standards in relation to age-restricted sales of goods.

During discussion, the Director of Technical Services undertook to inform Councillor Mrs. McDermott of further information in relation to details of proof of age required. 

The report was then received as information.