Agenda and minutes

The Panel received a report of the Director of Planning Services, which set out the progress made on issues relating to the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) Proposal Site 6, following discussions with Harrow College, Transport for London (TfL)/Metronet, Quintains and Dandara; all the current land owners surrounding the site under discussion.  The report sought approval to a number of recommendations for submission to Cabinet in order to show support for the funding bid made by Harrow College to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for a new consolidated college in the Town Centre.  This would largely be located on Lowlands Recreation Ground which was owned by the Council and involve a land swop between the Council and Harrow College.  It was noted that the LSC would be making a decision on the funding bid on 5 October 2006.

To assist the Panel, a copy of the document titled ‘Harrow on the Hill Station – Planning Brief, July 2005’ was circulated to Members and advisers.  The Planning Brief had been prepared to help shape redevelopment proposals for land at and around Harrow on the Hill Station and established a set of principles to ensure a comprehensive approach to development in Harrow Town Centre.

The Director of Planning Services (Urban Living) stated that the over-arching primary objective of the Council’s policy in relation to this site was to develop and ensure a step change in public transport which would provide the foundation on which the Town Centre could build for the future. This would require significant funding from all involved in the proposals, and this would leave less money to achieve other planning and development objectives, including affordable housing.  He added that Harrow College would be under an obligation to make a significant contribution towards the cost of the overall development of the tube and bus stations; the remainder of the cost to be funded by adjoining site owners.  The Panel was briefed on the ongoing negotiations with these companies.

The Director stated that the Council’s vision was to create a new north/south connection, which might involve the pedestrianisation of College Road.  It was intended to create a town centre, which combined development that was sustainable, delivered on housing and retail space, made public transport fully accessible and provided a traffic free environment.

The Panel also received contributions from its advisory members who suggested a number of ways in which the various sites surrounding Harrow on the Hill Station could be reconfigured  to help transform Harrow Town Centre into a distinctive and attractive environment that would help change the face of Harrow.  It was noted that many of the various suggestions put forward had previously been explored and tested, some of which had already been taken on board.  Additionally, the Panel was advised that the Council was exploring options, which could remove traffic from College Road and introduce a town square. Proposals for a new library and a performance/exhibition centre in Harrow Town Centre had not been discounted either.

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Members noted that item 10 which related to the appointment of an adviser to the Panel would be considered after item 7.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following agenda items be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2)  all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That consideration and the signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2006 be deferred until printed in the next Council Bound Minute Volume.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rules 15, 13 and 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution) respectively.

RESOLVED: That Mr Anthony Wood, representing the Harrow Public Transport Users’ Association, be appointed as a non-voting adviser to the Panel for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2006/07.

Report of the Director of Planning Services (Urban Living)

(See Recommendation 1).

Which cannot otherwise be dealt with.

Advisers

In response to a question, the Chairman stated that, in order to ensure continuity, it would not be appropriate for advisers to send a deputy on their behalf to meetings of the Panel.

RESOLVED:  That the position be noted.