The Head of City Development has submitted a report which informs the Committee of the completion of public consultation on the Old Headington Conservation Area Appraisal and to request endorsement of the amended appraisal for approval by the Board Member for City Development.

Officer recommendation: Endorse and inform the Board Member for City Development accordingly.

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which informed the Committee of the completion of public consultation on the Old Headington Conservation Area Appraisal and requested the endorsement of the amended appraisal for approval by the Board Member for City Development.

Councillor Van Coulter declared a personal interest as he was a Member of the Governing Council of Ruskin College.

Councillor Mary Clarkson declared a personal interest as she was a resident of Old Headington and was awaiting legal advice concerning Ruskin Fields.

Robert Lloyd-Sweet, (City Development) introduced the report and gave a brief verbal presentation.

Veronica Hurst on behalf of the Friends of Old Headington addressed the Committee and said how she and the Friends of Old Headington strongly supported the appraisal and welcomed being included at every stage of the process.  She specifically congratulated the Officers who had engaged with the community and the Friends.  She concluded by stating how impressive the contents of the appraisal were.

Councillor Rundle said that this was a model of how an appraisal should be conducted and it was good to see how responsive the Officers had been in considering all of the points raised during the consultation process.  He added that the appraisal was a full and appropriate response following the public consultation.  Councillor Clarkson supported the comments of Councillor Rundle and support was expressed generally by the Committee.

The Committee agreed:

(a)       To express its thanks and to congratulate officers for their work on the appraisal and to highlight how the response to the consultation was full and appropriate;

(b)       To warmly endorse the appraisal and to forward this and the comments made during the meeting to the Board Member, City Development (Councillor Colin Cook) for consideration.