Meeting documents

Also in attendance: 2 members of the public.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Barr, Greatwich and Turner.

Councillor Proud referred to Minute No. 29 of the minutes of the meeting held 10 September 2008 and stated that her apologies were omitted.

RESOLVED: “That the minutes of the meeting of the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held 10 September 2008, copies of which had previously been circulated to each Member, be agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

29.             APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J W Barrett, R Court, P H May, K Potts, M Potts, J M Proud, D Robson and A  Turner.

There were no declarations of interest received from Members.

Two members of the public were present at the meeting and the Chairman advised he would invite them to speak at the appropriate times throughout the meeting.

The content of the Executive Forward Plan and Work Programme was considered by the committee, enabling Members to identify any issues that may require to be reviewed prior to a decision being made.

No comments were made by the Committee.

RESOLVED: “That the contents of the Executive Forward Plan and Work Programme were considered by the Committee.”

Verbal Update

The Director of Corporate Services provided Members with an update of the activities of the Task and Finish Group.

He advised that a survey would be sent out to a sample of 1000 residents in the un-parished area. He went on to advise that the survey would also be sent to Residents Associations and Parish Councils in the district as well as being available on the Council’s website. He stated that an extended focus group would be held at the end of November to engage residents associations, parish councils and those who expressed an interest.

Councillor Gollan entered the meeting at 6.08pm.

The Chairman queried if Members had any queries in relation to the draft questionnaire and requested any feedback to be directed to the Director of Corporate Services or the Democratic Services Officer.

Discussion ensued in relation to the content of the questionnaire and the Director of Corporate Services advised that explanatory notes would be issued with the questionnaire.

RESOLVED: “That the comments made be noted.”

Verbal Update

The Town Centre Manager advised that a number of visits had been made to neighbouring markets including Stockton, Stanley, South Shields, Darlington and Blythe all of which had been very interesting. He commented that the views of both officers and traders had been taken on board for the review and that a meeting with the traders of Chester-le-Street market was to be held that week.

RESOLVED: ”That the comments made be noted.”

Verbal Update

Councillor Smith advised that visits had been arranged to other authorities including Wear Valley and Sunderland and she asked that Members check their availability for these visits.

RESOLVED: “That the comments made be noted.”

The Chairman requested that any items for the next agenda be forwarded to the Democratic Services Assistant.

RESOLVED: “That the next meeting of the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee be held on Wednesday 3 December at 6.00pm.”