Issue - meetings

To consider the call-in of executive decision ED1331.

The Committee was informed that the Executive at its meeting on 5 September 2011 had given approval to a new community development on the site of the former Council run Woodbank Nursery, the proposed partnerships and beneficiaries, legal structure, implications, costs and intended outcomes.

The Executive had specifically authorised the Council’s participation in the development of a Community Interest Company (CIC) to support wider horticultural activities in keeping with the park environment and delegated the structure and detail of the CIC to the Corporate Directors for People and Places including the nomination of Directors.

It was noted that the Executive had supported the recommendation to construct a new community building subject to due planning process.

The decision of the Executive had been called in by Councillors Sheila Bailey, Tom Grundy and Philip Harding.  Councillor Harding explained his reasons for ‘calling-in’ the decision, namely that there had been insufficient consultation with both residents and the Central Stockport Area Committee on the proposals prior to the decision being taken by the Executive and nor had there been an opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to consider the matter.  Concern was further expressed in relation to the governance arrangements of the CIC; the costs associated with running the initiative and whether any alternatives had been considered.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Discussions were ongoing in relation to the governance arrangements for the CIC.

·         Bubble Enterprises had been selected as a partner in this initiative on the basis of its track record in working with the Council.

·         The Council had acted quickly to get a presence on the former Woodbank Nursery site in order to secure the site and prevent vandalism

·         The intention was to develop the site as a genuine community resource and not to be exclusive in its use.

·         The Central Stockport Area Committee and ward councillors should have the opportunity to explore the implications of the proposals prior to the submission of a planning application for the development of the site.

·         The Scrutiny Committee should be involved in the development of robust governance arrangements for the CIC.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That no further action be taken.

(2) That the Service Director (Adult Social Care) be requested to:-

(i) Hold a public site meeting at the former Woodbank Nursery to engage with local residents in relation to the proposals.

(ii) Submit a detailed discussion paper and make a presentation to a future meeting of the Central Stockport Area Committee on the implications of the proposals prior to the consideration of a planning application for the development of the site.

(iii) Submit a report to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to enable the Committee to give consideration to the governance arrangements of the proposed Community Interest Company.