Agenda item

To consider a call-in request of the Cabinet decision on the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 – Car Parking Strategy on December 14th, 2010.

The Chairman introduced the item by inviting the Scrutiny Officer to provide an overview of the process and the decision that the Committee was being asked to make.

Cllrs Colmer and Carter started the debate by arguing the reasons why they felt the principles of decision making had not been met. Included within this commentary was the need for thorough scrutiny of the document, the lack of detail relating to bus subsidy levels and the need for more options to be considered.

The Cabinet member was given an opportunity to respond and explained that when the Committee met in November the final car pricing structures were yet to be finalised, due to such factors as the comprehensive spending review. The Cabinet member would have been pleased to return to scrutiny with the final draft report, if requested. Clarification was also provided for pricing decisions in Amesbury and Salisbury. Details of the level of consultation were discussed, as well as the numbers of Wiltshire buses that required subsidy. The Committee was also referred to the Spatial Strategy 2009; the source document used to band the Wiltshire towns. The Cabinet member also acknowledged the minority report submitted following the last Committee meeting, and apologised that the detailed response was not circulated to the day of Cabinet, Tuesday 14^th Dec.

During the subsequent debate the Committee discussed the consultation process and the relationship between the executive and scrutiny, when undertaking policy reviews. The need for scrutiny to monitor the strategy following implementation was also emphasised.

At the closure of the debate the Committee resolved:

that it was satisfied by the response, and agreed to no further action being taken and requested that the decision-maker (Cabinet) was informed accordingly; noting that the decision would then be implemented immediately.

Recorded Vote:

The above decision was the subject of a recorded vote requested in accordance with paragraph 91 of Part 4 of the Constitution – Council Rules of Procedure and recorded as follows:

For the motion:           (7)

Cllrs Berry, Doyle, Groom, Hill, Howard, Johnson, Trotman

Against the motion:    (6)

Cllrs Carbin, Carter, Colmer, Hawker, McLennan, Marshall.