Agenda item

Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 April 2019.

Decision:

Resolved:

That the Council continues to support Andover and Romsey town centre through the measures identified in the Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023 (2019), the Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Economic Development Strategy (2017); and

 

1.  That the Head of Planning & Building and the Head of Planning Policy investigate the application of Policy LE12 and Policy LE13 of the adopted Revised Local Plan (2016);

2.  That the Head of Planning & Building and the Head of Planning Policy investigate what measures could be introduced to help facilitate planning advice to those businesses whose premises are within Andover and Romsey town centre;

3.  That the Council continues to explore opportunities to secure funds to deliver public realm improvements;

4.  That the merits of a potential Romsey Business Improvement District be explored in the future, once the experience of Andover’s BID, as well as other BIDs, have been fully considered;

5.  That the Council investigate ways to support existing town centre businesses;

6.  That the merits of producing a town centre prospectus for each town be explored; and

7.  To put in place measures to allow shoppers and visitors to provide ongoing feedback of their experience.

 

 

 

 

Resolved:

That Cabinet adopts the approach contained within the report as a way of working when reviewing equality issues with a range of groups, and in particular;

(a)  That the Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Test Valley Strategic Partnership, works with the Partnership to hold an annual disability focus group. This will enable public and voluntary sector partners to hear the views of people with disabilities on key issues.

(b)  That the Council explores with partners of the Test Valley Partnership the potential for each partner nominating a disability champion who could help promote key issues and be a contact point for other partners and groups representing disability issues.  

(c)  That the Council will organise ad-hoc focus groups and networks, as and when service changes or new key strategies are being considered, as a way in which to talk through proposals and gain feedback from people with a range of disabilities.

Minutes:

Report of the Task and Finish Panel – Town Centres

 

Former Councillor, Peter Hurst lead member of the Overview and Scrutiny review of Town Centres presented the panel’s report on the future of town centres. The review had focussed on the role that the Corporate Plan, Local Plan and Economic Development Strategy has in supporting our Town Centres and whether improvements could be made.

 

The review had resulted in a number of recommendations regarding support for town centres.

 

Having considered the review, Cabinet agreed to the following:

 

Resolved:

 

That the Council continues to support Andover and Romsey town centre through the measures identified in the Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023 (2019), the Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Economic Development Strategy (2017); and

 

1.  That the Head of Planning & Building and the Head of Planning Policy investigate the application of Policy LE12 and Policy LE13 of the adopted Revised Local Plan (2016);

2.  That the Head of Planning & Building and the Head of Planning Policy investigate what measures could be introduced to help facilitate planning advice to those businesses whose premises are within Andover and Romsey town centre;

3.  That the Council continues to explore opportunities to secure funds to deliver public realm improvements;

4.  That the merits of a potential Romsey Business Improvement District be explored in the future, once the experience of Andover’s BID, as well as other BIDs, have been fully considered;

5.  That the Council investigate ways to support existing town centre businesses;

6.  That the merits of producing a town centre prospectus for each town be explored; and

7.  To put in place measures to allow shoppers and visitors to provide ongoing feedback of their experience.

 

 

Report of the Task and Finish Panel – Disability Review

 

Cabinet considered the report from the Overview and Scrutiny Disability Review which had been lead by Councillor Hamilton.

 

The purpose of the review had been to initially focus on how the Council could most effectively engage with people with disabilities on a variety of issues, and to draw the lessons from this that could then be applied to working with groups from across the protected characteristics.

 

The review had resulted in recommendations with regard to the Council’s approach to reviewing equality issues with a range of groups.

 

Having considered the review, Cabinet agreed to the following:

 

Resolved:

 

That Cabinet adopts the approach contained within the report as a way of working when reviewing equality issues with a range of groups, and in particular;

(a)  That the Leader of the Council, as Chairman of the Test Valley Strategic Partnership, works with the Partnership to hold an annual disability focus group. This will enable public and voluntary sector partners to hear the views of people with disabilities on key issues.

(b)  That the Council explores with partners of the Test Valley Partnership the potential for each partner nominating a disability champion who could help promote key issues and be a contact point for other partners and groups representing disability issues.  

(c)  That the Council will organise ad-hoc focus groups and networks, as and when service changes or new key strategies are being considered, as a way in which to talk through proposals and gain feedback from people with a range of disabilities.

Supporting documents: