Agenda and minutes

NOTED:      that no Member or Officer declared any interest pursuant to any statutory requirement in any matter discussed or voted upon at the meeting.

NOTED:      that there was no audio recording of the meeting by the Council.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered the Notes of the Decisions taken for the period June 2016 to June 2018.

The Chairman informed Members that he had asked for this work to be undertaken in order for the Committee to review what decisions had been made over the period June 2016 to June 2018 and whether the actions from those decisions had been implemented.  This would then form part of the Committees Forward Plan with decisions that had been implemented being removed and any that had not been implemented remaining on the Forward Plan to be monitored. The plan would, therefore, need to be broken down into three sections; completed, ongoing, and future.  Members were encouraged to submit any areas of work they wanted to address for the forthcoming year so that these could be added to the Forward Plan.

The following areas of work were suggested for future meetings:

Growth Investment Fund – It was suggested that the Committee should periodically review whether this was still appropriate and fit for purpose.

National Civil War Centre – Report identifying the number of visitors attending the Centre and whether that attendance could be improved.

AGREED      (unanimously) that a Forward Plan be formulated using the note of decisions taken for the period June 2016 to June 2018 and the plan be divided into three sections: completed, ongoing, and future projects.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager Environmental Health & Licensing which sought Member consideration as to the future development of an electric vehicle charging network within Newark and Sherwood.

The Committee at its September 2017 meeting agreed that a review of car parks should be undertaken to ascertain the most appropriate location and numbers of electric vehicle charging points within the Councils car parks.  The Parking Services team had undertaken this work, however, it had become apparent that the infrastructure needs and car technology was moving rapidly and what appeared to be a relatively straightforward task was complex and would require careful consideration to put in place a network that would meet the future needs of drivers.  It was also noted that it would be important to put a network in place across Newark and Sherwood rather than concentrating solely on the council’s car parks.

Nottingham City Council had been the lead Authority and they had been awarded government funding to install a publicly accessible electric vehicle charge point network across the D2N2 region.

The report informed the Committee that the City Council had undertaken a detailed procurement exercise and had appointed Chargemaster to be the contractors to deliver and manage the electric charging network for a ten year period and provided the detail of what that entailed. The report also provided the proposals for the Committee and the impact on the budget and policy framework.

Members sought clarification as to what happens after the ten year contract ends.  The Business Manager confirmed that if the Council wanted the charging units it would be within the Councils gift to do so.  Ten years would provide time for partnership working and upgrading.

A Member asked whether the lorry park could be upgraded with electric charging networks at the same time as the surveys were being undertaken in the Council car parks, to future proof that site.  The Business Manager confirmed that the question would be asked however he was under the understanding that electric powered engines were not suitable for HGV’s, but enquiries would be made for the lorry park.

Members were very keen for this project to move forward and requested that the results of the surveys be submitted to the September 2018 meeting of the Committee for consideration.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          Chargemaster  PLC be appointed to develop infrastructure for charging electric vehicles on Council land;

(b)          other organisations be approached to offer them the opportunity to provide charging points on their land; and

(c)          a full plan and recommendations on charging options be submitted to the 12 September 2018 meeting of the Economic Development Committee on completion of the survey.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager Environmental Health & Licensing, which sought Members consideration regarding the challenges and opportunities for the future development and potential expansion to the Newark Lorry Park.

The report informed Members of the background information regarding the lorry parking and that the scheme to extend the lorry park was approved by the Economic Development Committee at the 29 March 2017 meeting.

The report detailed the work undertaken regarding a planning application and provided information on the Capital Programme.  Additional security on the site was also noted due to regular reports of criminal activity taking place on the lorry park. 

The report also provided details regarding the Refuelling Centre and the possible expansion of that by a national company that installed and operated refuelling operations for heavy goods vehicles.  The Café and Welfare Facilities were also detailed. 

The report provided an options appraisal and proposals, staff resources, equalities implications, and impact on the budget/policy framework.

A Member sought clarification as to whether a sign would be erected informing the public that the lorry park was a Newark & Sherwood District Council facility.  The Business Manager confirmed that discussions were taking place regarding developing a brand for the lorry park and advertising that the park was run by the District Council and was a brand offering a top class facility.

Some Members commented that there was a contentious history to the lorry park and there were reservations as to whether this was the best use of the land.  It was felt that the decisions that had previously been made should be reviewed and that the land should be valued to ensure that the best possible return for that land was being achieved.  It was suggested that the lorry park could be re-sited closer to the A1 which would elevate congestion from HGV’s entering Newark and also release a valuable piece of land.

The Business Manager commented that the HGV drivers supported the local economy as they parked their vehicles and walked into Newark and used local amenities, which would not be achieved if they were on a site close to the A1.

A Member also commented that the lorry park provided a good service for Newark and prevented lorries being parked outside of resident’s properties.

Members raised concern regarding the proposed refuelling bunker and commented that this should be thought through very carefully as that service, whilst, would bring in income for the café and local economy, it would also increase the HGV’s entering Newark and congestion within the town was already high.

One Member suggested that a valuation of the site be undertaken and that other alternatives uses such as housing or commercial development be considered.  The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources responded that a valuation on the land could be undertaken for this site, however Members needed to indicate what the potential uses were for the land i.e. industrial, commercial, residential development etc. as the land value would have a different value  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager Planning Policy which updated Members on the progress of the various elements of the Local Development Framework (LDF) contained within the Local Development Scheme (LDS) timetable and sought delegated authority to agree a statement of Common Ground with Mansfield District Council.

The report provided the background information regarding the current LDS which was adopted by Full Council on 11 July 2017 and came into force on the 12 July 2017. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          progress towards meeting the timetable of the adopted Local Development Scheme be noted; and

(b)     delegated authority to sign a Statement of Common Ground with Mansfield District Council and Ashfield District Council on the proposals within the Mansfield Local Plan be given to the Acting Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Opposition Spokesman of the Committee and Chairman of the Local Development Framework Task Group.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager Economic Growth which updated Members on the utilisation of the Promotion of the Tourism budget which was introduced in April 2017.

The report informed the Committee that following the restructure of the Tourism Function in 2016, a budget for the Promotion of Tourism was agreed by the Economic Development Committee which came into effect in April 2017 and was for £98,000 in total. 

The report detailed the activities to date relating to the Tourism Strategy and is in line with the Destination Management Plan (DMP) agreed for Newark and, although in development at present, the plans for Southwell and Sherwood.  The aims of the DMP for Newark were detailed within the report.

The report also detailed Social Media; Partnerships; Blog Posts; Campaigns; Campaigns for 2018; Tourism Action Group; The Tourism Board; Familiarisation Visit for Coach Tour Operators; and Other activities undertaken since April 2017.

Members were keen for the Destination Management Plans for Southwell and Sherwood to be progressed and asked if an update report could be presented to the 12 September 2018 meeting rather than the November meeting as proposed.

A Member commented that he welcomed the use of Social Media, but was disappointed regarding the Social Media figures and sought clarification regarding the budget for Social Media.  The Business Manager confirmed that Social Media was being built up and had been used for one year.  It was confirmed that a report including the budget for Social Media would be submitted to the September meeting of the committee.

Clarification was sought regarding when the display boards would be installed.  It was confirmed that they had been ordered via East Midlands through procurement and would be ready August 2018, that was dependent on the suppliers of the display boards.

A Member congratulated the Economic Growth team on the work they had undertaken regarding the Tourism Action Group (TAG) meetings, which had been useful and attendance had increased.  The Business Manager confirmed that the dates for the TAG meetings were on the Council’s website and all Members were welcome to attend, but please inform the Economic Growth team in order for seating arrangements to be made available.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          the activities undertaken since the establishment of the Promotion of Tourism Budget in April 2017 be noted;

(b)          the Committee support the development of the Tourism offer    for the district and in particular the recruitment of the Palace Marketing Manager post and actions from the Newark Destination Management Plan;

(c)          the Destination Management Plans for Southwell and Sherwood are progressed with the plans to be presented to the 12 September 2018 Economic Development Committee; and

(d)          an update report including the budget for Social Media be submitted to the 12 September 2018 Economic Development Committee.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager Economic Growth which sought to provide Members with information relating to the Careers Enterprise Company (Careers Enterprise Advisers) and to request a decision as to whether a contribution to the continuation of this service should be funded. 

Members commended the Economic Growth team for the work undertaken in this area and felt that the schools in the district were engaging with the Council productively and the work would be achieved better in-house.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Committee decline the offer to support the continuation of the Enterprise Adviser role for Newark & Sherwood.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Director  – Resources which asked Members to discuss and formalise a date for the Economic Development Committee to undertake site visits to Council owned facilities.

The following sites were proposed for the site visit:  Sconce and Devon Park; Beacon Innovation Centre; Vicars Water; Craft Centre; Lorry Park and All gateways to Newark.

Members requested that the industrial units at Blidworth and Clipstone be added to the site visits and that the Committees Substitutes be invited to attend the tour.

Members were asked to confirm their preferred date with the Democratic Services team.  An email would also be sent to Members of the Committee and Substitutes seeking their preferred dates and any other suggested sites.  Transport would be arranged internally.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          an email  be sent to Members of the Committee             and Substitutes seeking their preferred dates and any other suggested sites.; and

(b)          the following Council owned sites would be included for site visits:

·           Sconce and Devon Park

·           Beacon Innovation Centre

·           Vicars Water

·           Craft Centre

·           Lorry Park

·           All gateways to Newark

·           Blidworth and Clipstone Industrial Units

The Committee considered the report of the Acting Chief Executive in relation to the appointing of representatives to the Local Development Framework Task Group and the reconvening and appointing of representatives to the Growth Investment Fund & Policy Monitoring Group.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          the Growth Investment Fund & Policy Monitoring Group be reconvened, the Members of the Group for the forthcoming municipal year to be:

Councillors:  K. Girling, J. Lee, N. Mitchell, Mrs P. Rainbow and T. Wendels

(b)          the Local Development Framework Task Group be reconvened and the Committee’s representatives for the forthcoming municipal year to be:

Councillors: K. Girling and R.V. Blaney

To consider resolving that, under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 7 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

That, under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee considered the exempt report presented by the Business Manager – Planning Policy in relation to an options appraisal for the future running of the Newark Beacon Business Innovation Centre (BIC). 

(Summary provided in accordance with 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 1972.)