Agenda item

Briefing and answers to questions – Councillor Toni Mallett, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration.

The Committee received the briefing from Councillor Tony Mallett, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration and written answers to the advance questions submitted.  The following information was noted in response to supplementary questions from the Committee.

Q2 – Economic Development - The Committee requested regular updates to all Council Members on how the shared service with Waltham Forest would operate (Action No. 190.1).

Q3 – Town Centre Business Partnerships – The Committee noted that the Council assisted with the setting up of Town Centre partnerships but with no area based grant funding available they will be encouraged to bid for external funding and supported by the Council in these bids.

Q7 – Tottenham Hotspur FC – A briefing note was requested on the discussions held with Spurs about the regeneration of Tottenham as part of the stadium redevelopment.  Committee members expressed concerns that no fixed commitments had been made by the Club to employ and train local people and that a health centre had not been included in the development plans (Action No. 190.2).

Q11 – Alexandra Palace – The Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Economy rejected the suggestion that the Charitable Trust status of the Palace was a potential obstacle for redevelopment and stated that the issue was about finding a cost effective solution acceptable to both the Council and the local people.

Q12 – St Ann’s Hospital – Officers expected a health facility on the site as well as a mixed use development including housing and allotments with a bus route going through the site in accordance with the Council’s Unitary Development Plan.  In response to a question about whether a general hospital might be re-established the Assistant Director Planning, Regeneration and Economy explained that this could not be ruled out and once a set of health outcomes was clear the Council would consider the infrastructure of the site and the possible investment strategies.

Q16 & Q22 – Wards Corner – The Committee requested that a briefing note be provided to Members on the history of Wards Corner and what the current plans for the site were (Action No. 190.3).  The Committee heard from three local people from Wards Corner supporting a community led development of the site and expressing concerns about the Grainger proposal and that any future equalities impact assessment was fair.  It was noted that when the Community led planning application was complete and the Council had all the information it required it would be processed.  The Cabinet Member stated that she was keen to have a development supported by all parties concerned and that any proposals going forward would be considered by the Planning Committee.    In response to questioning on whether the Planning Committee hearing the application would consist of new members the Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Economy stated that this would be the case as far as was possible.

A question on Transport would be referred to Councillor Canver who was attending OSC on 28^th March (Action No. 190.3).

RESOLVED to note the briefing and answers to supplementary questions.