Agenda item - Sustainable Community Strategy

Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached); together with an extract from the proceedings of the Cabinet meeting held on the 11^th March 2010 (to be circulated with the Addendum papers).

66.1         Councillor Simson introduced the report which detailed the main changes between the 1^st and 2^nd drafts of the Sustainable Community Strategy and recommended the adoption of the revised Strategy.  In referring to the documents that made up the report, Councillor Simson asked that a separate vote be taken on Chapter 7.

66.2         Councillor Mitchell welcomed the report and expressed her support for the strategy as an entirety and questioned the need for a separate vote on Chapter 7.

66.3         Councillors Randall, Taylor, Morgan, Kennedy and Davey expressed their concern over the request to hold a separate vote on Chapter 7 of the report.

66.4         Councillor Theobald noted that there had been a lengthy debate at the December Council meeting over the Local Development Framework and stated that the Administration had voted against a number of aspects that were reflected in Chapter 7 of the Sustainable Community Strategy report.  It was therefore appropriate for the Administration to seek a separate vote on this element, in order to remain consistent with their policy objectives.

66.5         Councillors West, Kitcat, Randall and Duncan all raised Points of Order in relation to the request to hold a separate vote on Chapter 7 of the report.

66.6         Councillor Mears stated that the Administration had not asked for the Chapter to be withdrawn, but simply that it be voted on separately.  She stated that the Administration fully supported the actions reflected in Chapters 1 to 6 and Chapter 8, but had clearly different views in respect of Chapter 7 and therefore wished to have the opportunity to record those views.

66.7         Councillor Simson noted the comments and stated that she wished to recommend the report to the Council in terms of Chapters 1 to 6 and Chapter 8; but that in view of the Administration’s policy objectives, there was a need to vote on Chapter 7.

66.8         The Mayor stated that she had accepted Councillor Simson’s request to take a separate vote on Chapter 7 of the report and would therefore put Chapters 1 to 6 and 8 to the vote and then Chapter 7.

66.9         Councillor Mitchell requested that a recorded vote be taken, which was supported by a sufficient number of councillors.

66.10     The Mayor noted that a recorded vote had been requested and stated that she would take two separate votes and put the recommendation that Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the report be agreed and adopted;

66.11     The motion was carried.

66.12     The Mayor then put the recommendation that Chapter 7 of the report be agreed and adopted;

66.13     The motion was carried.

66.14     The Mayor noted that both motions had been carried and therefore the Sustainable Community Strategy had been adopted in full.

            Refreshment Break

66.15     The Mayor then adjourned the meeting for a refreshment break at 6.40pm.

66.16     The meeting was reconvened at 7.10pm.