Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel (Special Meeting) – 19 November 2008

PRESENT: Councillor Davison in the Chair.

Councillors Clark (vice-chair), Armitage, Ellerby, T Foster, Vickers and Wilson.

Councillor Grant attended the meeting in his position as Cabinet Member for Housing and Strategic Planning.

Councillors Eckhardt, Mrs Redfern, Sidell, Swift and Waltham attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 37(b)

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

121 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

122 (11) ITEM REQUESTED FOR CALL-IN IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 22 OF PART D RULE 5 (OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULES) OF THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION – Minute 26 of the Housing and Strategic Planning Cabinet Member meeting held on 11 November 2008 – The chair invited a nominee of the members who had requested the call-in to speak on the above decision and question the Housing and Strategic Planning Cabinet Member. Appropriate members outlined areas of concern as reasons for seeking a review of the above decision. These included: –

(i) It was clear to most who had read the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA), that regional bodies had a duty to make pitch allocations across the region, to allow for the strategic alleviation of the existing imbalances in dispersal across council areas. The council was subverting the satisfaction of this duty and ignoring the GTAA’s conclusion that merely providing pitches where need was identified, merely compounded existing inequalities.

(ii) This decision was contrary to the requirements relating to pitch provision, which stated that GTAA’s should be fed into the regional planning body, to allow the strategic alleviation of existing inequalities.

Following a discussion on the above issues, the Housing and Strategic Planning Cabinet Member was invited to respond to the concerns and reasons for the decision being called in, and be held to account for the decision taken. The Head of Strategic Regeneration, Housing and Development was also invited to comment.

It was then –

Moved by the chair and seconded by Councillor Ellerby –

That no further action be taken, and the above decision of the Housing and Strategic Planning Cabinet Member (minute 26 refers) be allowed to be implemented with immediate effect.

Moved by Councillor T Foster and seconded by Councillor Vickers as an amendment –

That the above decision (minute 26 refers) be referred back to the decision maker for reconsideration within five working days.

Amendment Lost

Motion Carried