Issue - meetings

The committee noted that the proposed decision of the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places had been deferred at Community Services Scrutiny on 14^th March. It was therefore noted that the item had also been withdrawn from the Civic Affairs agenda as a consequence.

Matter for Decision: Proposal that byelaws be introduced to enable enhanced protection of Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits Local Nature Reserve. The site consists of three adjacent chalk pits designated for their ecological value. In addition to LNR status, two of the Pits (East Pit and West Pit) are also nationally designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The Wildlife Trust own and manage East Pit and lease the other two pits from the City Council.

Decision of the Executive Councillor:

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

     i.        Defer the item and ask officers to bring back a revised report to a future meeting.

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Green Space Manager.

In response to members questions the Green Space Manager and the Nature Conservation Project Officer confirmed the following:

     i.        The site consisted of three dry clay pits. Two of the pits are owned by the City Council and have been designated as nature reserves. The third pit had been privately owned until 2009 but was now owned by the Wildlife Trust. As this site was now open to the public, the Wildlife Trust have requested the adoption of byelaws to protect the site.

    ii.        Agreed to arrange a site visit for members of the committee and to circulate a detailed site map.

The committee raised concern over the specific wording of the byelaws and highlighted the possibility for confusion over interpretation and enforcement. Sections (5), (6) and (15) were highlighted as specific examples.

It was suggested that clearer guidance and a site-specific enforcement policy would be beneficial to support the byelaws.  

Whilst they supported the implementation of the byelaws in principal, the committee proposed that the item be deferred and brought back to a future meeting.

The Executive Councillor agreed that the item be deferred and brought back to a future meeting.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted):

Not applicable.