To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2010.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September, 2010 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Mr P Duigan, Mrs D Irving and Mrs P Quadling.

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item as urgent business, pursuant to Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was none.

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in the following items on the Agenda. 

The Members’ Code of Conduct requires that declarations include the nature of the interest, and whether it is a personal or prejudicial interest.

There was none.

Report of the Director, Corporate Resources.

Mr Rory Ringer, Breckland’s new Elections and Scrutiny Manager introduced himself, as did Teresa Smith, who would be one of Member Services  Committee Officers as from Monday, 6 December 2010.

The report was presented for agreement by Members, on the Terms of Reference and Project Plan with regard to establishing if any improvements could be made in respect of the car parking provision in Swaffham for Breckland residents, businesses and visitors. It was explained that the same form of investigation would take place with regard to Swaffham as had taken place in Watton and Attleborough, and would be led by Members as they had been involved in the previous groups.

As an extensive tour of Swaffham had already taken place it was felt that no further site visit would be needed, however so as not to duplicate work already done and the important data previously gathered, it was requested that this information be forwarded to Members with the next Agenda. 

A site visit might perhaps have to take place a Member thought with regard to “off street” parking.

It was stated that it must be established which car parks belonged to Breckland and which were private, there were some that were Norfolk County Council’s too; Appendix 2 of the report highlighted the Breckland Car Parks.

The Terms of Reference had been taken from the previous two reviews, and therefore there was nothing that the Members wished to add.  The Project Plan had been based on previous plans too.  If Members thought of anything they wished to be included in the investigation, they were asked to contact the Elections and Scrutiny Manager or the Committee Officer.

An article had appeared in a local newspaper about the review and had been seen by some Members. It was felt that the most important factor to be considered would be the open consultation with the general public and recognised organisations, which would be held on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 at 7 p.m in the Assembly Rooms**, Swaffham.

The Chairman felt that the Task & Finish Group should meet before the Public Consultation meeting, so that any correspondence received could be considered.

Stakeholders would be written to and their comments sought as well as being invited to attend the meeting to be held of the Task & Finish Group to discuss the draft report, on 8 February at 10.00 a.m in the Norfolk Room.<3>

It was AGREED that :-

·                    The Terms of Reference be agreed

·                    The Project Plan be agreed

·                    Task & Finish Group to be held on Monday, 17 January 2011 at 10.00 a.m in the Norfolk Room, Elizabeth House, Dereham

·                    Public consultation meeting to be held in the Assembly Rooms**, Swaffham at 7 p.m on Tuesday, 25 January 2011

·                    Draft report to Task & Finish Group on 8 February 2011 at 10.00 a.m in Norfolk Room, Elizabeth House, Dereham

Please note, since the meeting was held, it has been ascertained that the Assembly Rooms are not available, so the venue is to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To agree a date and time for the next meeting.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be at 10.00 a.m on Monday 17 January, 2011 in the Norfolk Room, Elizabeth House.