Agenda and minutes

The meeting was held remotely, in accordance with the Local Authorities and Police & Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police & Crime Panel Meetings) (England & Wales) Regulations 2020.

Councillor Mrs P. Rainbow declared a personal interest in Agenda Item No. 9 – A46 Newark Northern Bypass Consultation as the owner of land which may be used for the widening of the road.

The Chairman advised that the proceedings were being recorded by the Council and that the meeting was being livestreamed and broadcast from the Civic Suite, Castle House.

AGREED      that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 November 2020 were a correct record.

The Chairman referred to the importance of the decisions taken at the November 2020 meeting of the Committee with the adoption of the Economic Growth and Tourism Strategies and how work would be undertaken with partners.

He noted that the response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the third lockdown continued to impact on the Council.  The Council continued to offer much needed support and were at the forefront of issuing grant support with as little bureaucracy as possible.  The Council did not wait for receipt of central Government monies, rather they paid out funds as quickly as possible.  He added that the Council were developing an additional discretionary grant scheme to capture industries which, so far, had fallen through the safety net e.g. those that did not work from a premise, citing taxi drivers as an example.

The Chairman stated that the response to the pandemic did not mean that the Council had stopped working for the future as highlighted with the Agenda before Members.  He referred to: a raft of economic recovery measures; a consultation on the dualling of the A46; progress and delivery of projects in relation to the Buttermarket, Stodman Street and the former Robin Hood Hotel; the Towns Fund projects; and the Places to Ride Scheme.

In concluding his verbal report the Chairman thanked fellow Members, Officers and Partners for their continued drive forward of a positive agenda despite the challenges currently faced.

NOTED       the Forward Plan (February 2021 to January 2022) for the Economic Development Committee.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Economic Growth which updated Members on progress of initiatives contained within the Economic Growth Strategy e.g. Town Reopening Campaigns; Kickstart; and Business Events with details of each of the aforementioned initiatives being provided.  Paragraph 2.5 of the report set out details of a proposed Business Resilience Programme and that Members of the Committee recommend to the Policy & Finance Committee that they support its establishment and the associated funding of £300,000.

In considering the report, Members noted the work undertaken and support given to some 140 retailers across the district during the pandemic.  In relation to the proposed Business Resilience Programme, Members queried as to how its success would be measured.  In response, the Business Manager stated that the Council were considering partnering with external organisations e.g. Chamber of Commerce, in promoting the programme, thereby reaching more businesses in the district who may benefit from financial assistance. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the contents of the report be noted;

(b)     the proposed Business Resilience Programme, as detailed in paragraph 2.5 of the report be supported with the Policy & Finance Committee being recommended to support the associated funding of £300,000; and

(c)     all Members of the Council be provided with progress updates on the proposed procurement exercise to secure 4 suppliers to provide additional support to the key industries, as detailed in paragraph 2.5 of the report.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Financial Services in relation to the budget and scales of fees and charges for those areas falling under the remit of the Economic Development Committee for 2021/2022.

The report set out the proposals for recommendation to the Policy & Finance Committee on 22 February 2021 in relation to the base budget for 2021/2022 for inclusion in the overall Council budget and the 2021/2022 fees and charges. 

In considering the report Members welcomed the decisions not to increase the car parking charges but to levy an increase for the lorry park. 

In relation to Appendix D of the report a Member noted that a number of the charges listed therein remained static.  He queried as to how frequently they were levied and whether any market comparisons were available.  He suggested that if the charges were considered too high, they be reduced in order that some income be realised.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the following recommendations be made to the Policy & Finance Committee at its meeting to be held on 22 February 2021:

(a)     the 2021/22 base budget in Appendix A for inclusion in the overall Council budget; and

(b)     to Council on 9 March 2021 the 2021/2022 fees and charges in Appendix D.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure which sought to make Members aware of the consultation launched on 9 December 2020 regarding the proposed A46 Newark Northern Bypass which was part of the Government’s second national Road Investment Strategy (RIS2).

The report set out the background to the proposed improvements, noting that it would remove a major bottleneck and help to facilitate current and future planned growth.  It would improve access for freight traffic travelling along the A46, one of the country’s most important trade routes, potentially adding £7.1b to the UK’s economy.  Details of the local benefits were reported, noting that along with delivery of the Newark Southern Link Road and the A1 Overbridge there would be increased productivity and huge potential for the District’s planned growth and Town Investment Plan.  Details of the options for consultation were detailed together with issues for consideration.

In considering the report Members agreed that the proposed improvements to the A46 and the local benefits it would bring were to be welcomed.  A Member stated that a graded separation at the Cattle Market Roundabout was the best option for Newark and that it should be emphasised in the Council’s formal response.  He added that the Highways Executive (HE) must consider how they would mitigate disruption to residents in Farndon and Winthorpe and to ensure that traffic flow was not interrupted during the improvement works. 

In referring to the date in which the consultation was launched, a Member expressed their disappointment that this had been over the festive period, adding that it provided insufficient time for those affected to meet with the HE to formulate a comprehensive response.  She suggested that the HE be asked to extend the response date by a period of one month.  She added that she was in support of economic growth but that an improvement of journey times would only benefit commuters and not local residents.  In relation to the aforementioned preferred option for Newark of graded separation, she noted that a flyover would create additional traffic noise for residents in Winthorpe, stating that a number of residents had contacted her with some good ideas and that she hoped the HE would give them consideration. 

In welcoming the proposals a Member noted the silo operations that the HE operated within and whether they were aware of the proposed improvements by Network Rail to the flat rail crossing in Newark.  In response, the Business Manager advised that the issue had been consistently raised with the HE during meetings. 

AGREED      (with 11 votes for and 1 vote against) that delegated authority be given to the Director – Planning & Growth, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee and Chairman of the Planning Committee, to formally submit the Council’s formal final comments on the A46 Newark Northern Bypass Consultation, which shall also:

(a)     engage with as broad a cross-section of the community as is practicable and to detail their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure which sought to provide Members with a Final Draft Residential Cycle and Car Parking Standards & Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  It was reported that following the responses received from the initial consultation period, significant alterations had been made and therefore it was proposed to hold a further 8 week period of consultation with local residents, developers, town and parish councils and other stakeholders.

In considering the report a Member queried as to the definition of sufficient size when referring to a parking space.  In response, the Business Manager referred to Key Principle 2 – Design, Location and Layout of Car Parking Spaces contained in the final draft of the SPD advising that the size of the space had been based on information from the Highway Authority. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the proposed responses to the consultation as set out in Appendix A be approved;

(b)     the contents of the amended SPD and accompanying Topic Paper evidence base be noted; and

(c)     the Final Draft Residential Parking and Design SPD (as set out at Appendix B) be approved for an eight weeks public consultation on week commencing 18 January 2021.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Tourism which sought to provide Members with an update on the application for British Cycling grant funding for a new recreational cycling scheme at Thoresby Vale, Edwinstowe. 

The report set out the partnership working undertaken with Harworth Group PLC and a range of strategic and community stakeholders in order to develop and submit the Stage Two application.

In considering the report a Member queried as to what plans were in place to ensure the safety of cyclists when using the road network to get to the Harworth Hub.  The Business Manager advised that discussion were being held with the Highways Authority about how the cycle routes would be linked.  The Director – Planning & Growth advised that highways work was being carried out at the Forest Corner and that the application for Phase 2 Infrastructure of the Thoresby Vale Development had been submitted for consideration.

Councillor L. Brazier left the meeting during consideration of this item.

In relation to the response received it was noted that there had been little from youth groups, both locally and from surrounding areas.  In response, Members were advised that should the bid be successful it would enable to reach out to both youth and mobility groups. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the submission of the Stage Two application to British Cycling’s Places to Ride grant funding programme be noted; and

(b)     should the application be successful, a recommendation be made to the Policy & Finance Committee to add the scheme to the Capital Programme.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Financial Services which provided Members with a comparison of revised budgets for the period ending 31 March 2021 with the Project Outturn forecast for the period.  The figures had been based on 8 months’ performance information on the Council’s revenue and capital budgets, including: General Fund Revenue; and Capital Programme.

Councillor R.V. Blaney left the meeting during consideration of this item.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the report be noted.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure which provided Members on progress towards delivery of the Plan Review in relation to the Allocations and Development Management Policies and associate evidence base documents.  Details of the progress for the key evidence base documents: Open Space Strategy; and Housing Needs Assessment, were provided and that the conclusion of those would be fed into an Allocations & Development Management Options Report alongside policies and allocations to meet need identified in the Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment.

AGREED      (unanimously) that progress towards producing the Allocations & Development Management Options Report be noted.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Tourism which provided Members with an update on the performance of the district-wide ‘Staycation’ campaign delivered in October 2020.  The main objectives of the campaign were reported as: raising public awareness of Newark, Southwell and Sherwood Forest as ideal day or short break autumn destinations; and to generate public engagement in the campaign to drive increased traffic to visitor websites and gain more followers on social media for a long-term marketing advantage. 

In considering the report, a Member queried whether the use of a social influencer had been successful.  The Business Manager advised that the influencer had a following of some 20,000 persons and that they had all been reached, thereby boosting the campaign’s audience.

AGREED      (unanimously) that the success of the district-wide Autumn ‘Staycation’ campaign in raising awareness of our visitor destinations and in increasing website visitors and followers to our social media channels for our longer-term marketing advantage, be noted.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Director – Planning & Growth which sought to update Members on funding discussions and progress with individual projects.  Details of progress for each of the Town Investment Plan projects were listed and noted as: Newark Gateway Site; International Air & Space Training Institute; Smart Innovation, Supply Chain & Logistics Enterprise Zone; Stodman Street; YMCA Community and Activity Village; and Newark College Construction Expansion.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the ongoing negotiations with Government to secure a capital contribution from the Towns Fund of up to £25m be noted; and

(b)     the ongoing progress of the Newark Town Investment Plan projects listed in Section 2 of the report be noted.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Economic Growth which provided Members with information on the intention to bring the first floor of The Buttermarket into use, reflected in the wider aspirations to revitalise Newark Town Centre.

In considering the report Members noted that additional detail on the proposals for the first floor were contained in the following exempt report and that they would discuss the detail later in the Agenda.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the progress to date on the redevelopment of the Buttermarket be noted; and

(b)     the next steps on securing and procuring upper floor use(s), as detailed in the following exempt report, be noted.

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 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 part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Economic Growth which provided Members with information on the intention to bring the first floor of The Buttermarket into use, reflected in the wider aspirations to revitalise Newark Town Centre.

(Summary provided in accordance with Section 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 2072.)

The Committee considered the exempt report jointly presented by the Business Manager – Economic Growth and Director – Planning & Growth which outlined the options for delivering a regenerated 32 Stodman Street Redevelopment Scheme. 

(Summary provided in accordance with Section 100C(2) of the Local Government Act 2972.)

The Committee considered the exempt report presented by the Business Manager – Heritage, Culture & Visitors which provided Members with detailed proposals for the Heritage & Culture Business Unit to support navigation of the ever-changing COVID environment and challenges to be faced in the next financial year. 

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

The Committee considered the exempt report presented by the Director – Planning & Growth which sought Members agreement to recommend to the Policy & Finance Committee that they support the review of the Economic Growth and Tourism Business Units.

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