To receive apologies for absence and any substitutes that may be notified.

Apologies were received from Councillors Pauline Dee and Nicholas Bardsley. 

Councillor Peter Cherrington attended as substitute for Councillor Pauline Dee.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

There were none disclosed.

To consider the minutes of the Enterprise and Growth Committees held on 2^nd April 2015 and 14^th May 2015.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meetings held on 2^nd April 2015 and 14^th May 2015 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions, statements and petitions of which members of the public have given notice. Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Monday 8^th June 2015.

There were no Public Questions.

To receive any questions, statements and petitions of which Members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Monday 8^th June 2015.

There were no questions from Members.

To consider the appended report on University Centre Shrewsbury – Student Accommodation Strategy and the establishment of a related Task and Finish Group.

The Chairman welcomed the Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity, stating that while the establishment of the University Centre Shrewsbury was greatly welcomed, it was recognised that it could have an impact on local communities which needed to be considered and any risks addressed.  He continued that the Committee had been convened to consider the establishment of a Student Accommodation Strategy Task and Finish Group. 

The Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity gave a presentation on the progress of the Student Accommodation Strategy, which was initially proposed in a report to Cabinet on 11^th February 2015 [report included with agenda papers]. 

The Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity agreed that the establishment of a University presence in Shrewsbury was a wonderful opportunity for the Town and the County as a whole, but concerns over the provision and location of student accommodation had been raised by both Council Members and the public and these needed to be considered at an early stage.  He added that Cabinet had agreed that he be granted delegated powers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to develop a comprehensive Student Accommodation Strategy with associated policies to be presented to Cabinet prior to formal adoption by full Council.  The completion date for this work was anticipated as September 2015. 

Members noted the list of Officers involved in the development the Student Accommodation Strategy and the appointment of an external Consultant; ARUP.  The Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity explained that ARUP provided external expertise and had already commenced work on the project.

The Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity outlined the Council’s roles in the provision of student accommodation.  He explained that early research had shown developers unwilling to develop private accommodation until the student population was established.  The Council had stepped into the gap and Mardol House in Shrewsbury was being refurbished to provide circa eighty residential units for September 2015.  This was estimated as sufficient for the first year intake.  In addition to this the Council was in the process of procuring a delivery partner to supply a further 800 units over the next three years, 200 of which to be available for September 2016.  The tender process had been completed and a possible partner selected but contracts had not yet been entered into.  

He confirmed that for the first three years following the establishment of the University Centre, the Council would provide the majority of student housing.  He continued, that it was then expected that the private sector would begin to provide accommodation.  Potentially this could be through houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).  The Council also had a role in this supply through Planning Policy and Licensing provision. 

Members noted that a house owner could convert a house to an HMO under Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) without planning permission if it had 6 or fewer residents. This restricted the Council’s ability to influence the location of these properties through the planning process.  It was possible to remove an area’s PDRs through an Article  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider the draft future work programme – to follow.  

Members considered the draft Work Programme.  A Member asked for reassurance that the Committee would be able to continue to scrutinise the actions of former Council departments transferred to the control of ip&e.  The Chairman confirmed that these operations would still come under the remit of the Scrutiny Committees. 

In response to a Member’s query the Chairman confirmed that both Planning and Licensing fell within the remit of the Committee. 

Members raised concerns regarding the re-organisation of the Tourism Section. The Chairman confirmed that Tourism was an ongoing item on the Work Programme. 

In response to Members’ queries over the need to scrutinise the number of redundant buildings and disused land in Council ownership, Councillor Carroll stated that the use of assets had been a recommendation from the Economic Growth Task and Finish Group and he had received assurances that all the recommendations from the Group were to be taken forward for action. 

The Chairman added that the Empty Homes Strategy Task and Finish Group was also reviewing the Strategy for empty homes, and its final report would be considered at the next meeting of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee.

Thursday 2^nd July 2015.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee next meets at 10am on Thursday 2^nd July 2015.