To receive apologies for absence.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on this agenda.

Councillor W.J.S.Thomas declared a personal interest in Agenda item 4: Call-in of Cabinet decision on relocation of the livestock market.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1st July, 2005.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 1st July, 2005 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the Cabinet’s decision on the relocation of the livestock market, which has been called in by three Members of the Committee.

NOTE:  If in the opinion of the Proper Officer, during the discussion of this item it is considered that there is likely to be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972 it will be recommended that the public and press be excluded.

(Councillor W.J.S Thomas declared a personal interest.)

The Committee considered Cabinet’s decision on the relocation of the livestock market which had been called in by three Members of the Committee.

On 1 September, 2005 Cabinet had identified a preferred site for a new rural business park which would incorporate a new livestock market in a location at Stretton Sugwas on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.  Cabinet’s decision notice and the report made to Cabinet as amended at the meeting were appended to the report.

The stated reasons for the call-in were:

·         There are alternative sites.

·         Environmental Issues - flooding

·         No survey has been done to discover if rural business units needed. 

·         There is no definition of ‘Rural Industries’

·         Cost.  There are no indications of the cost to the Council of developing a site outside our ownership.

At the Chairman’s invitation the Leader of the Council made some opening remarks.  He explained that it was important to recognise that Councillor J.C. Mayson,  Cabinet Member (Rural Regeneration and Strategy) had only recently been given the responsibility for managing the relocation of the livestock market as part of his Cabinet portfolio following the illness and subsequent untimely death of the late Councillor G.V. Hyde.  He then emphasised that in debating relocation it was important that there was acceptance of the two principles which the Council, for a number of years, had agreed should underpin the relocation of the livestock market: that the market should be relocated and a site identified to the north west of Hereford City (the north west quadrant).

The Cabinet Member (Rural Regeneration and Strategy), reiterated that as he had newly assumed responsibility for the relocation of the livestock market he was aware that he was not as familiar with the detailed history as some other Members present.  He placed on record his concern about the criticism which some Members had made of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, and disassociated himself from that criticism.  He then advised the Committee that he would be recommending to Cabinet that the consideration of a site should start again, with certain provisos. 

It transpired that since the identification of a preferred site a number of other options had emerged in the north west quadrant.  Councillor Mayson reported that he intended to propose to Cabinet that all options in the north west quadrant should be examined with full public consultation.  He cautioned, however, that whatever location was ultimately chosen it was likely that someone would object.  It was to be hoped that the public consultation would, however, help to reduce discontent.  

In the course of discussion the following principal points were made:

·         That the Hospital Farm site at Burghill which had at one time been identified as the preferred site had been ruled out, apparently for the sole reason of public opposition, yet even though the site at Stretton Sugwas was attracting more opposition Cabinet seemed willing to pursue it.

·         That whilst much of the business for the livestock market would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.