Agenda item

To consider and endorse the outline schedule of scrutiny work for the 2025-2026 municipal year.

The Chair introduced the work programme report and noted the following –

School Road Safety Review Update

·            The Chair confirmed that with the arrival of new Governance Advisor, Kristianne Thorogood, who would be supporting the Improving Places Select Commission going forward and taking over from Barbel Gale, she would be in touch with members of the panel for this review to re-start the process.

·            Councillor Thorp queried whether this would be the start of a new review of whether it was a continuation of the review which had started but then paused.

·            The Chair confirmed that it would be a continuation of the review which had been started but that it had paused due to considerations as to potential cross-over with a Cabinet review on a similar road safety issue. The scoping of both reviews had now been clarified and work can proceed on the IPSC review.

Councillor Allen proposed that, following mention of the proposed Bassingthorpe Farm housing development and Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in the Housing Strategy item, it would be worthwhile for IPSC to be given the opportunity to scrutinise these plans, particularly in the context of the lessons that have been learnt from the other recent large scale housing development project within the borough at Waverley.

Councillor Allen also suggested that IPSC members consider a future visit to the Bassingthorpe Farm site, along with any other places of interest to the Commission in the borough. She mentioned that the Planning Board would be carrying out a full day of site visits later in September and felt that a similar trip would be of benefit to IPSC members.

The Chair confirmed that the Bassingthorpe SPD was due to go to Cabinet on 15 September 2025 for adoption. The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment,commented that whilst Cabinet were due to consider the SPD later in September, it would be a very long term development for the borough and there would be plenty of opportunity for IPSC to scrutinise and shape the plans for the site as they develop further.

The Chair supported Councillor Allen’s suggestion that the Bassingthorpe Farm development be looked at further by IPSC, particularly with the Waverley connection, and was also supportive of the suggestion that potential site visits were considered. The Chair mentioned as other possible sites/visits of interest – the construction of the new library and a visit to see the new grass cutting equipment in action. The Chair invited other members to put forward any further suggestions they had for potential site visits for consideration.

The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment, suggested that the Bassingthorpe Farm development would be a good item for a future dedicated Workshop for IPSC. The Chair and members agreed and the timing and scoping of this Workshop would be considered further.

Resolved:- 

(1)  That the update on the Work Programme be received and noted;

(2)  That the Governance Advisor be authorised to make any required changes to the work programme in consultation with the Chair/Vice Chair and reporting any such changes back at the next meeting for endorsement;

(3)  That Councillor Allen’s suggestion that IPSC conduct site visits to key developments, such as the proposed housing development at Bassingthorpe Farm, be considered and taken forward into the work programme, in collaboration with Officers; and

(4)  That a potential workshop for IPSC be considered on the Bassingthorpe Farm development, to be delivered by Officers at a time and date to be agreed, after the Supplementary Planning Document has gone before Cabinet on 15^th  September 2025.