Agenda and draft minutes

To receive opening announcements from the chair.

The chair opened the meeting, welcoming those in attendance.

To record apologies for absence and the attendance of substitute members. 

Apologies were received from Councillor James Barlow.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the committee minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2024

Resolved:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 1 October 2024 were agreed as a correct record, with a minor typographical error to be corrected on the attendance list. The chair would sign the minutes as a correct record.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

None.

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent. 

None.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

None.

To review the attached scrutiny work schedule. Please note, although the dates are confirmed, the items under consideration are subject to being withdrawn, added to or rearranged without further notice.

Committee considered their work programme.

·       Committee requested a Cornerstone update. Areas to cover include business marketing plan, HR/staff plan and financials.

·       For their meeting in March 2025, members suggested reports on the 116-120 The Broadway development, Cornerstone Arts Centre and a planning enforcement update.

·       Budget performance if ready will be scheduled for the meeting on 23 January 2025, along with the corporate plan (Council Plan) for 2025-29.

·       A member asked about quarter three budget outturn report. The Head of Finance reminded that the papers for quarterly outturn were publicly available when they are published for Cabinet meetings. The next set will be quarter two, to go to Cabinet in December 2024, with quarter three ending in December 2024.

·       Integrated Care Board item was a placeholder item and members could scope any topics they wish to discuss.

Scrutiny Committee was asked to review the following items in order to provide any comments to Cabinet

1.    Leisure Facilities Assessment and Strategy review and

2.    Playing Pitch Strategy

The chair invited the Cabinet member for Planning to introduce the report, supported by the Infrastructure Planning Team Leader. The Head of Policy and Programmes, Planning Policy Manager and the Leisure Development Officer were also online.

The strategy was a joint project with Vale of White Horse District Council (VOWHDC) and it was a high-level snapshot in time. The aim of the strategy was to protect and maintain existing facilities and build new ones where there was a need. Facility owners were approached and spoken to, as well as a steering group with officers, and a public consultation was carried out (results were in the appendices of the agenda).

Members asked questions and made comments as follows

·       It was explained that for the strategies, mathematical modelling based on Joint Local Plan (JLP) population projection was used, alongside club and facility surveys to consider the leisure needs – key pressure points for growth. Benson and Chalgrove were highlighted by members for not being in the report. It was responded that those facilities were not under as much pressure as the areas mentioned, which presented as a strategic need, and that the “assessment reports” that accompanied the public consultation showed that the consultants had assessed these areas / pitches / facilities in detail.

·       The officer explained that the Stage E action plan that follows the strategies would give more detail. There would be flexibility if needs changed.

·       It was confirmed that member engagement in the action plan would be discussed with the Cabinet member.

·       Members discussed the concept of a network. A member felt that Chalgrove should be in the Watlington area. The Cabinet member explained that Sport England methodology and other sports organisations were involved so that the strategy had a solid foundation. The evidence base was up to date, with an approved methodology, so we can have confidence going forward with these strategies.

·       Members considered how far people were willing to travel per site and the catchment.

·       In response to questions about active travel, members were reminded by the Cabinet member that there were other strands to the evidence base for the JLP, such as the transport studies, and design and location criteria.

·       The strategy was a point in time, and updates will become clear in the action plan. Members were welcomed to email the officer and Cabinet member present, on ward specific project updates since September 2024. These updates would be fed into the Cabinet meeting.

·       3G pitch at Milton. Were the football clubs engaged? An officer explained there were surveys and questionnaires sent to FA clubs list.

·       Bike trails for the Didcot area – this was missed previously and was now raised in consultation. There was a suggestion of looking at apps like Komoot and creating offroad biking paths.

·       Some members discussed whether Didcot had enough sports pitches and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.