Test Valley Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor MacDonald and Gillies.

There was no public participation.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no urgent items.

Councillor Daas proposed and Councillor Parker seconded the motion that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no call in items.

There were no urgent decisions.

The Chairman updated Members on the Work Programme which enables members to keep the Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme under review alongside an update on current activity of the committee, the work of the panels, tracking of recommendations to Cabinet/Council and any key actions being undertaken to support the committee in its work.

Issues and questions raised by members:

·  New sharepoint site to be established for members will provide a space for Overview and Scrutiny panels and round table documents to be viewed by members.

·  Add in action from Cabinet on the Climate Emergency Action Plan to the recommendations annex.

·  Linking reports to the Corporate Priorities

·  Round table workshops will be hosted by Environmental Services to look at areas of policy development related to the introduction of the new food waste service.

To be added to the Work Programme

·  Update on the Economic Development Strategy and action plan

·  Draft digital action plan workshop to take place in May.

·  Round table on the procedure and process of the voluntary sector revenue grants

·  Round table to be set up to look at barriers to cycling and review the parking standards as part of the Local Plan following the item considered by the committee.

Councillor Parker and Councillor Hasselman gave an update on the Housing Panels.  A number of meetings have taken place the most recent one was to look at the demand for affordable/social housing, what has been supplied and what is required, disposal of properties and right to buy.  Councillor Parker’s next panel will look at housing practices in neighbouring authorities and the challenges that will be faced.  Councillor Hasselman explained that a registered housing provider will attend her next panel meeting and the panel will also look at user feedback.  A round table will also be held with service providers in the future.

The Chairman informed the committee that the Leader is scheduled to attend the committee in June to cover the Corporate Action Plan (review of year two) and the Leader’s Portfolio.  The Chairman has discussed with the Leader that the committee would like him to focus on regeneration on Andover and Romsey.

The Head of Strategy and Innovation updated the committee on the topics put forward at the Committee’s Away Day in 2024.  The Committee’s Away Day this year will be held on Saturday 5 April at a venue to be agreed and will be supported with a session from the Centre of Governance of Scrutiny. 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Daas and seconded by Councillor Hasselmann, upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.

Resolved:

1.  That the current Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme (updated for March 2025), as shown in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.

2. That the update on Panels shown in Annex 2 to the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development which provided an update on the strategy and process for delivering cycling and other forms of active travel infrastructure within the Borough. The report also explained how the Council is working with partners and developers and outlines the changes to policy and strategies produced by Government and Hampshire County Council.

Members discussed and asked questions on:

·  Cycling infrastructure and delivery

·  Education on behaviour change to promote safe cycling

·  Stakeholder focus groups  

·  Funding from Active Travel England

·  Maintenance of cycleways

·  Linking of the cycle network

·  A map of cycleways in Test Valley

·  Barriers to cycling and walking   

Councillor Burnage, member champion for Active Travel attended the meeting and commented on some the key issues discussed by the committee. Councillor Burnage confirmed thatthat she will be visiting Andover to learn more about the cycling infrastructure within the town.

The Chairman suggested a round table to discuss barriers to cycling and active travel  with the member champion for Active Travel.  The discussion can also consider evidence of demand and need of parking standards before any review can be carried out.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Daas and seconded by Councillor Matthews, upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.

Resolved:

1.  That the contents of the report be noted;

2. That a round table be set up to look at barriers to cycling and review the 

parking standards as part of the Local Plan.

3. That the Committee consider the merits of reviewing the existing cycle parking standards as part of the future local plan.