Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community, and Legal & Democratic Services Manager.

(Relevant Portfolio Holders: Councillors J Wilkie, C Coughlan & V Cummins)

Councillor J Wilkie introduced the joint report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community and the Legal & Democratic Services Manager, which set out the minutes of the Community Environmental Improvements, including Community Orchards, Task and Finish Group Meetings held on 18 October 2022 (at Appendix 1) and 17 November 2022 (at Appendix 2).  The report highlighted areas recommended by Task & Finish Group for development of Community Orchards, and sought approval for Community Consultation around the areas identified, and for work to commence at sites which achieve  50%+ positive feedback from the consultation.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the minute of the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the recommendations from Community Environmental Improvements, including Community Orchards, Task and Finish Group to Corporate and Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee, in relation to the potential development of Community Orchards at the following sites, be approved:

1.     The Community Garden in Elswick, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale

2.     Pocket greenspace in Tanhouse, Skelmersdale

3.     Kiln Lane playing fields in Greenhill, Skelmersdale

4.     Manor Road Estate play park and pocket greenspace, Burscough

5.     Thompson Avenue field, Ormskirk

6.     Pocket greenspace on Brookhouse Road and Cotton Drive, Ormskirk.

B.     That a 2 week consultation be undertaken within the areas of those sites identified as potential Community Orchards.

C.     That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director of Place & Community, to commence work on those proposed Community Orchard Sites that receive a 50%+ positive feedback following consultation, to enable Planting to commence within the appropriate season.

D.     That the principal of installing Information Boards at each of the Community Orchard sites, subject to budget provision, be approved. 

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community, and Legal & Democratic Services Manager

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community and the Democratic Services Manager as contained on pages 151 to 168 of the Book of Reports, which highlighted to Members, areas recommended by Task & Finish Group for development of Community Orchards and seeks approval for Community Consultation around the areas identified, and approval for work to commence at sites which achieve 50%+ positive feedback from consultation

The Environmental Sustainability Manager gave an update to the Committee who agreed that the idea of community boards to give information on maintenance and variety of fruit trees, were a good idea.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the minutes of the Community Environmental Improvements, Including Community Orchards, Task and Finish Group Meetings held on the 18 October 2022 (Appendix 1 of the report) and 17 November 2022 (Appendix 2 of the report) be noted.

2.    That the areas recommended by the Task & Finish Group for potential development of Community Orchards, set out in paragraph 5.1 of the report, be endorsed.

3.    That approval from Cabinet be sought to carry out a Community Consultation around the shortlisted areas identified.

4.    That approval from Cabinet be sought to give Delegate Powers to the Corporate Director of Place & Community, to commence work on those proposed Community Orchard Sites, that receive a 50%+ positive feedback from consultation to enable Planting to commence within the appropriate season.

5.    That the principal of installing Information Boards at each of the Community Orchard sites, subject to budget provision, be endorsed.