Agenda item

Report attached for consideration

The Committee considered the report of the Senior Corporate Policy Officer setting out mechanisms for addressing cross cutting issues to prevent duplication in the work of individual committees.

It was explained that during the June/July round of meetings a number of cross cutting issues had been identified. These included the Night Time Economy, Using the River Medway and Employment implications arising from a review of the Economic Development Strategy and key employment issues arising from Local Plan representations. 

It was noted that the Night Time Economy had been put forward as a review topic by the Economic and Commercial Development OSC. It was also explained that issues in relation to violent crime at night would be considered by the Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC (acting as the Crime and Disorder OSC).

It was agreed that the Economic and Commercial Development OSC should lead the Night Time Economy review but should keep the Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC informed especially in relation to Crime and Disorder issues. It was suggested that the review scope, once agreed by Economic and Commercial Development OSC, should be considered by the Crime and Disorder OSC in October 2014. In addition, it was agreed that the final report should be sent to the same Committee in February 2015, for comment, before being sent to the Executive for a response. 

In terms of the scrutiny suggestion in relation to the River Medway it was explained that during the 2013/14 municipal year the Economic and Commercial Development OSC had suggested reviewing the fees charged for using the river. In addition the following issues were discussed:

·  The roles and responsibilities of different agencies in relation to the River Medway

·  Ways to make the river more accessible

·  Moorings on the river

·  Income generation  

It was agreed that the suggestion in relation to the River Medway should remain with the Economic and Commercial Development OSC however certain issues, for example accessibility, would be picked up by the Planning, Transport and Development OSC as part of their work on the Local Plan.

It was noted that employment implications arising from a review of the Economic Development Strategy, a qualitative study on employment sites, and employment issues arising from local plan representations were key issues for Planning, Transport and Development OSC and Economic and Commercial Development OSC.   

Following a discussion it was agreed that a joint meeting should be organised as the Employment Land Report and the Economic Development Strategy were co-dependent.

In addition to the issues highlighted in the report of the Senior Corporate Policy Officer, the Committee discussed the Review of the Parish Charter in terms of consultation with Parishes on Spatial Planning Policies. It was noted that the Review of the Parish Charter would be considered by Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC and it was agreed that these issues should be considered at the same time.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Economic and Commercial Development OSC be the lead Committee for the Night Time Economy Review.

(b)  That, once scoped, the Night Time Economy Review be considered by the Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC (acting as the Crime and Disorder OSC) in October 2014.

(c)  That the final report, in relation to the Night Time Economy Review, be considered by the Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC (acting as the Crime and Disorder OSC) in February 2015, for comment, before being sent to the Executive for a response.

(d)  That the Economic and Commercial Development OSC be the Committee to consider the River Medway suggestions, as part of its work programme development for 2014-15, with Planning, Transport and Development OSC addressing certain issues, such as accessibility, as part of their work on the Local Plan.

(e)  That the Planning, Transport and Development OSC and Economic and Commercial Development OSC  hold a co-located simultaneous meeting, during autumn 2014, to enable consideration of the Employment Land Report at the same time as the Economic Development Strategy.

(f)  That issues in relation to consultation with Parishes on Spatial Planning Policies be considered by the Community, Leisure Services and Environment OSC at the same time as the Review of the Parish Charter.