Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the Wareham Gateway Development.

Decision

(a)       That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People (Adults) and the Executive Director for Place in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder(s) for Adult Social Care & Health and Housing to agree with NHS colleagues how public land assets would  be used and any capital financial benefit was to be returned to Dorset Council to deliver our shared aims in Purbeck.

(b)       That the commencement of procurement for a Development Partner who will fund and deliver this project, and a Housing Provider to provide Housing Management services in conjunction with NHS Dorset Healthcare and NHS Dorset CCG, be approved. Final award to be approved by Cabinet.

(c)       To support preferred development 2 as set out in the exempt report of 1 October 2019.

(d)       To bid for One Public Estate phase 8 grant funding with partners to support the ongoing work programme of the Building Better Lives Programme and support usage of some existing OPE funding to support the Town Council in making a decision.

(e)       To approve the approach of Dorset Council officers leading on the development of the preferred option into an outline planning application for submission during this financial year.

(f)        That the proposed disposal of capital assets at an estimated value as set out in the exempt report be approved.

(g)       That an allocation of capital funding and total amount as set out in the exempt report be approved.

Reason for the decision

To deliver the outcomes of the Building Better Lives programme in Wareham, and to respond to identified need and gaps in service.

Before introducing the following item, the Leader of the Council reported the receipt of a petition, with over 1000 signatures, regarding Wareham Gateway Development.  This petition would be dealt with through the councils petition scheme accordance with the council’s constitution.

The Committee considered a detailed exempt report on the Wareham Gateway    Development and discussed next steps and their preferred option.

Decision

(a)       That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People (Adults) and the Executive Director for Place in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder(s) for Adult Social Care & Health and Housing to agree with NHS colleagues how public land assets would  be used and any capital financial benefit was to be returned to Dorset Council to deliver our shared aims in Purbeck.

(b)       That the commencement of procurement for a Development Partner who will fund and deliver this project, and a Housing Provider to provide Housing Management services in conjunction with NHS Dorset Healthcare and NHS Dorset CCG, be approved. Final award to be approved by Cabinet.

(c)       To support preferred development 2 as set out in the exempt report of 1 October 2019.

(d)       To bid for One Public Estate phase 8 grant funding with partners to support the ongoing work programme of the Building Better Lives Programme and support usage of some existing OPE funding to support the Town Council in making a decision.

(e)       To approve the approach of Dorset Council officers leading on the development of the preferred option into an outline planning application for submission during this financial year.

(f)        That the proposed disposal of capital assets at an estimated value as set out in the exempt report be approved.

(g)       That an allocation of capital funding and total amount as set out in the exempt report be approved.

Reason for the decision

To deliver the outcomes of the Building Better Lives programme in Wareham, and to respond to identified need and gaps in service.

To consider a report of the Building Better Lives Programme Manager.

The Chairman reminded all present that this agenda item was being considered under exempt business and therefore all discussion within the meeting was confidential and could not be discussed outside of the meeting.

In addition to the information contained within the report, the committee was provided with a presentation which provided an overview of the issues and options under consideration.  Councillors asked questions with regard to the issues arising from the report.

A number of invited attendees addressed the committee during discussion on the item as follows:

·                Councillor Hilary Goodinge attended the meeting on behalf of Wareham Town Council and provided a statement on behalf of the town council

·                Councillor Ezzard, ward member for Wareham, provided a statement on behalf of herself and Councillor Holloway

·                Councillor Carr-Jones, spoke as Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing

·                Diana McLaughlin, from the Dorset CCG and representing GPs in the Wareham Surgery attended to show the organisation’s commitment to the programme and approach

·                Matthew Metcalfe, attending on behalf of Dorset NHS provided some comments on the development

The committee discussed the issues arising and the options presented in the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts seconded by Councillor Roe that the recommendations set out in the report be supported with the addition of a point to recognise that this was a multi-agency project.

Decision

That the People Scrutiny Committee support the recommendations contained within the exempt report in the agenda for the meeting with the addition of a point to recognise that this was a multi-agency project.