Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for non-attendance and details of Member substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Mooney.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2021 were agreed.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillors Doran, Harvey, Noble and Smith-Ainsley are Planning Committee members and therefore will not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

Councillors Helen Harvey, Doran and Noble advised the Committee that they were Planning Committee members and therefore would not be making comment on any applications due to come before the Planning Committee.

The Chair, or his nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were no questions from members of the Public.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues were received.

There were no ward issues.

To consider any urgent action that have arisen since last meeting.

There were no urgent actions.

To consider the Forward Plan for the Development Sub-Committee.

The Committee resolved to note the Forward Plan for the Development Sub-Committee.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

It was proposed by Councillor Smith-Ainsley, Seconded by Councillor Buttar and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of this item, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

To consider and note the Benwell Phase One End of Project Report.

Report to follow.

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Committee on 24 January 2022.

To approve the proposed annual business plan which are being produced for all assets in the Investment and Regeneration Portfolios.

The Committee considered a report from The Asset Manager, Jeremy Gidman that sought approval for the proposed annual business plan which will be produced for all assets in the Investment & Regeneration portfolios.

The Committee resolved to agree the annual business plan.

To consider a request for Feasibility Scheme Funding for Ashford Community Centre.

Report to follow.

The Property and Development Manager, Nick Cummings gave a verbal update on the Ashford Community Centre project and asked that the Committee agree to funding to employ an architect to undertake an early stage feasibility study.

The Committee resolved to agree to the employment of an architect to undertake an early stage feasibility study. 

To receive a verbal update from the Development Advisor on the Thameside Development.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Development Manager, Richard Mortimer on the Thameside House project.

Following discussions, the Committee resolved to defer this item to the next meeting of the Development Sub-Committee on 24 January 2022, or if the further information requested was not available, to the 31 January 2022.

To receive an update from the Development Advisor, on development projects.

Report to follow.

The Development Advisor gave the Committee an update on the Council’s developments.

The Committee resolved to note the development project update

To consider any business deemed as urgent by the chair.

There was no urgent business.