Agenda and minutes

Councillors Eric Batts, Mohinder Kainth, and Elaine Ware had all sent their apologies for absence.   

To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 August 2015 (previously published). 

RESOLVED: to adopt the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 August 2015 as a correct record and agree that the chairman signs them as such. 

Councillor Matthew Barber, leader of the council and chairman of Cabinet, explained that due to his past involvement in the property matters relating to the Botley Centre site, he would leave the meeting during consideration of the planning aspects of this item and during the public speaking on this matter (minutes Ca.17 and Ca.18 refer).  In his absence, the deputy leader of the council, Councillor Roger Cox, would chair those parts of the meeting. 

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Five members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting, along with two district councillors who were not Cabinet members. 

1          Dr Peter Harbour made a statement on behalf of the Friends of the Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool.  In support of his statement, he had submitted additional information in advance of the meeting and this was made available to the Cabinet members present. 

Dr Harbour asked Cabinet if the Friends of the Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool could be involved in discussions on the pool’s future.  The Friends had several suggestions to improve the pool and cited the Hinksey Meadow pool in Oxford as an example of what could be achieved.  He asked Cabinet to endorse the Friends’ attendance and involvement in early and regular meetings with the council so their ideas could be integrated into the project.  In short, the Friends suggested the retention of a deep water pool, but replacing the shallow pool with a beach area.  The Friends also suggested a durable pool heating system, changes to the changing rooms, and ancillary facilities. 

The chairman, Councillor Matthew Barber, thanked Dr Harbour for his statement. 

2          Dr Les Clyne had submitted a question to the leader of the council but asked the Democratic Services Officer to read it on his behalf.  Dr Clyne sought a written answer from the leader of the council within seven days and also requested a verbal response at the meeting:

“For the Grove airfield Section 106 agreement and the Crab Hill Section 106 agreement, who was the most the senior councillor, and most senior Council official, in each case that authorised the backended affordable rented housing profiles, and why did they agree these backended profiles, especially the one for Crab Hill where it is proposed that NONE of the first 150 houses will be affordable rented, when there is such a pressing current and foreseeable future need for affordable rented housing in the Vale to deal with the people on the housing register?” 

The leader of the council, Councillor Matthew Barber, advised Dr Clyne that he would respond in writing within seven days; his written reply is appended to these minutes. 

Councillor Matthew Barber left the meeting at this point to allow Cabinet to consider the questions and statements on the Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document. 

Councillor Roger Cox, the deputy leader of the council, took the chair for the remainder of the meeting.  He then moved a proposal to defer consideration of the Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document; the reasons for this are recorded under minute Ca.18 below.  Cabinet approved that motion. 

Despite Cabinet agreeing to defer consideration of the Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document, Councillor Cox invited the speakers to address the meeting. 

3          Mary Gill asked a question on the Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). 

“Earlier this year, I asked Matthew Barber how he would ensure that West Way Centre remained a local service centre, meeting the everyday needs of local people, as required by the local plan.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To consider the head of planning’s report. 

Cabinet was due to consider the head of planning’s report on the draft Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document.  However, Councillor Roger Cox, in the chair, proposed that Cabinet deferred consideration of this item.  He reported that various issues had been raised and he had been advised by officers that more time was required to consider the issues before Cabinet debated the draft Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document. 

The council’s chief executive had received a letter from solicitors acting on behalf of West Way Community Concern suggesting a legal challenge if Cabinet adopted the supplementary planning document today.  Whilst not accepting the views expressed by the solicitors, the chairman believed the issues raised should be given proper consideration before Cabinet considered the supplementary planning document. 

The chairman apologised to the public in attendance that this matter had to be deferred.  He reported that the council would let everyone know of the revised Cabinet meeting date in good time, which he expected to be in a couple of weeks or so. 

RESOLVED: to defer consideration of the draft Botley Centre Supplementary Planning Document to allow for further consideration of the legal implications of adopting the current draft. 

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