Members are asked to consider whether they have personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they are.

Members are reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.  No such declarations were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Regeneration and Planning Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 March, 2009.

The Director of Law , HR and Asset Management submitted the minutes of the Regeneration and Planning Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 March, 2009

Resolved – That the minutes be received.

In accordance with minute 4 of Cabinet (16/5/09), the Committee is requested to appoint a Vice-Chair.

In accordance with minute 4 of Cabinet (12/5/09), the Committee was requested to appoint a Vice-Chair.

On a motion by the Chair seconded by Councillor Johnson it was:

Resolved – That Councillor K Wood be appointed Vice-Chair of this Committee for the current municipal year.

The terms of reference are attached for Members’ information.

The terms of reference were submitted for Members’ information.

Resolved – That the terms of reference be noted.

The views of the Committee are requested concerning topics to be included in this year's scrutiny work programme

The Chair referred to his discussions with chief officers regarding issues that were likely to be significant over the next twelve months.  The following issues were identified for scrutiny by this committee:-

Wirral’s response to the recession

Taking forward the Investment Strategy

Power and Infrastructure

Housing Market Renewal

Choice Based Letting

Homelessness

There was an opportunity for members to raise additional items with the Chair, and any urgent items could also be considered.

In addition to the above, members asked for a regular verbal update on major development schemes.

In view of the comprehensive workload and additional responsibilities attached to this committee, members asked the Director of Corporate Services to prepare a printed work programme.

Resolved – That  a work programme  listing the reports from chief officers on key issues during the year and the progress of major development schemes form the basis of the committee’s work programme for the current municipal year.

At its meeting on 21 May (minute 8) the  Planning Committee considered reports, appraisals and management plans, prepared by consultants Donald Insall and Partners, for eight conservation areas (the detailed reports are attached to the Planning Committee agenda) . The Committee resolved:

“That this Committee recommend to Cabinet that:-

(1)  The Appraisals for the following areas be adopted by the Council and used to inform the evidence base for the preparation of future planning policy in the forthcoming Local Development Framework and used as a material consideration in determining future applications for planning permission, listed building and conservation area consent:-

(i)  Bidston Village

(ii)  Birkenhead Park

(iii)  Bromborough Pool

(iv)  Caldy Village

(v)  Eastham Village

(vi)  Rock Park

(vii)  Thurstaston

(viii)  Wellington Road

(2)  The Management Plans act as an agenda for further consultation both locally and within the Council to identify priorities for action and the resources necessary for their implementation.

(3)  A further report be submitted to Planning Committee after all 16 Appraisals and Management Plans have been reported to Cabinet regarding the need for and relative priorities for Article 4 directions between areas, and the financial and staffing implications arising.”

The Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee is requested to endorse the above recommendation to Cabinet.

Further to minute 8  (Planning Committee – 21/5/09) when consideration was given reports, appraisals and management plans, prepared by consultants Donald Insall and Partners, the Director of Technical Services requested that this committee endorse  recommendation to Cabinet for the designation of eight conservation areas:-

(i)  Bidston Village

(ii)  Birkenhead Park

(iii)  Bromborough Pool

(iv)  Caldy Village

(v)  Eastham Village

(vi)  Rock Park

(vii)  Thurstaston

(viii)  Wellington Road

Resolved - That this Committee recommend to Cabinet that:-

(1)  The Appraisals for the following areas be adopted by the Council and used to inform the evidence base for the preparation of future planning policy in the forthcoming Local Development Framework and used as a material consideration in determining future applications for planning permission, listed building and conservation area consent:-

(i)  Bidston Village

(ii)  Birkenhead Park

(iii)  Bromborough Pool

(iv)  Caldy Village

(v)  Eastham Village

(vi)  Rock Park

(vii)  Thurstaston

(viii)  Wellington Road

(2)  The Management Plans act as an agenda for further consultation both locally and within the Council to identify priorities for action and the resources necessary for their implementation.

(a) Vauxhall Motors Plant, Ellesmere Port

The Deputy Chief Executive/ Director of Corporate Services reported upon the present position regarding the future of the plant and representations that were being made by this Council to Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and his department’s senior civil servants.

(b) The North West Regional Construction Awards held on 21 May 2009 - Cheshire Warrington & Wirral Best Practice Award was made to Kier North West for the  New Brighton Floral Pavilion Theatre.