Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:  

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 May 2010 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Mrs A Grigg and D Stallan declared a personal interest in agenda item 6, North Weald Airfield – Aviation Intensification Study, by virtue of being members of North Weald Bassett Parish Council, who had met with Halcrow on 26 October 2010. The Councillors had determined that their interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the issue.

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J M Whitehouse declared a personal interest in agenda items 4 and 5, Asset Coordination Group 24 June 2010 and 23 September 2010, by virtue of living in close proximity to the St John’s Road development site. The Councillor had determined that his interest was not prejudicial and would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the report.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the minutes from the meeting of the Asset Management Coordination Group held on 24 June 2010, and any recommendations therein.

The Cabinet Committee considered the notes of the Asset Management Coordination Group held on 24 June 2010. They considered the information regarding the sites owned by the District Council and noted the progress.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Asset Management Coordination Group held on 24 June 2010 be noted.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the minutes from the meeting of the Asset Management Coordination Group held on 23 September 2010, and any recommendations therein.

The Cabinet Committee considered the notes of the Asset Management Group held on 23 September 2010. They considered the information regarding the sites owned by the District Council and noted the following progress:

(i)         Langston Road Depot – various public consultation events planned, to be held prior to the planning application being submitted;

(ii)        Temporary Depot at North Weald Airfield – reasonable progress being made, will report back to the Cabinet Committee in due course;

(iii)       Merlin Way Business Park – development was currently not looking profitable;

(iv)       Torrington Drive – current developer wanted restricted residential development above the supermarket;

(v)        Church Hill Car Park – discussion ongoing, but progress was slow pending the outcome of the future of the petrol station at Torrington Drive;

(vi)       Pyrles Lane Nursery Site – plant storage to be moved to Oakwood Hill, and topographical survey to be completed;

(vii)      Winston Churchill Public House - no progress currently being made; and

(viii)      St John’s Road Depot – Savilles had been appointed as property consultants.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Asset Management Coordination Group held on 23 September 2010 be noted.

(Director of Environment and Street Scene) To consider the attached report (NWA-001-2010/11).

Attached are the slides from the presentation given by the Halcrow Group Ltd in relation to their first interim report.

In August 2010 Halcrow had been appointed to undertake the Aviation Intensification Study of North Weald Airfield. They had subsequently met with a number of airfield tenants and interested parties and had collated a lot of detailed information on aviation policy and practice in the region. Three representatives from Halcrow attended the meeting and gave a presentation to the Cabinet Committee on their interim report. The current schedule envisaged their final report being considered by the Cabinet in March 2011.

The interim report gave an overview of North Weald Aerodrome, setting out current data on aircraft movements and airfield infrastructure. These were fitted into a wider planning framework, which took account of the site being both important and sensitive due to its size, location and heritage. As well as current percentages of financial returns, the interim report paid particular attention to preliminary aviation market analysis. The demand for different aircraft movements were noted, and the flight data for the past 9 years from similar airfields was presented, which had followed the economic trend of a peak in 2007, slowly declining to 2009. A detailed analysis of aviation based costs at North Weald Airfield would be included in the concluding report.

The interim report also highlighted the issue of licensing, a subject currently being discussed between Halcrow Group Ltd and the Civil Aviation Authority. Runway length and condition would be key considerations, as well as be the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces assessment. These issues would be presented in detail in the final report. Preliminary consultation with aviation tenants, the Parish Council, and local residents groups had been generally positive. Noise levels were the most prominent concern for residents, and the protection of current usage agreements for the aviation tenants. Further consultation was currently being undertaken to obtain a more comprehensive overview of tenants’ opinion.

In response to questions from the Members present, the following points were emphasised:

·                     Stapleford Aerodrome predominantly catered for recreational flying and had a commercial flying school attached as well; the focus for North Weald was currently business aviation;

·                     Halcrow was happy to consult with the non-aviation tenants at the Airfield if the Council so desired, but did not feel it was necessary;

·                     there were no figures yet for potential costs of investment by the Council, but it would probably involve quite significant capital and revenue costs to improve and maintain the runway, lighting and also to remove obstacles close to the runway;

·                     different mechanisms would be examined for funding the improvement works;

·                     the aim would be to both attract business from other airfields, and new aviation business;

·                     other airfields in the South of England were close to capacity, and also had limitations over their use;

·                     the potential market share for North Weald would be quantified before the final report was issued; and

·                     business aviation users tended not to travel by public transport, therefore the airfield at North Weald only being accessible by road would not be a disadvantage.

The Director of Environment & Street Scene added that wider public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee. Two weeks’ notice of non-urgent items is required.

It was noted there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Cabinet Committee.