The Scrutiny Committee received a report of the Committee and Scrutiny Officer which contained the Management of Conservation Areas Task Group’s final report and recommendations.  The report was due to be presented to Council on 7 March.

Councillor Martins explained why he had proposed conservation areas as a subject for scrutiny.  The recommendations had been put under a number of headings.  He suggested that the management of conservation areas could become a regular review item on Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s agenda.

The Committee and Scrutiny Officer responded that there would be a role for this Scrutiny Committee as it reviewed the Task Group’s recommendations and whether they were being implemented.  A report would be presented to the next meeting which would provide Cabinet’s response.  The Scrutiny Committee would then be able to decide when it wanted to carry out its first review. 

Councillor Martins acknowledged the officer’s comments but felt there needed to be continuous monitoring.

Councillor Martins added that since the Task Group had taken place he was aware that additional areas were interested in having a designated conservation area.

Councillor Khan referred to a discussion at Planning Policy Advisory Group about this matter.  He mentioned that it was relevant to areas of historical significance.  The Harebreaks Estate was a pre-runner to the Garden City Estates.  However due to changes to the buildings they could not be included within a conservation area.  He said that he was interested in finding out what could be made a conservation area.

Following a question from Councillor Rindl, Councillor Martins said that the Task Group had shown that his initial concerns were legitimate.  One of his objectives had been to heighten awareness of conservation areas, which he believed had been achieved.

RESOLVED –

that the Management of Conservation Areas Task Group’s final report be agreed.