Agenda item

The Committee considered the report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development, Councillor Claire Penny. 

As detailed in the report, the Portfolio Holder had been invited to attend Committee to respond verbally to six specific queries as at paragraph 2.2.

In relation to how the Council ensured that our area was prioritised for investment and resources to deliver economic growth, Councillor Penny advised that the Council had assisted in developing the framework for growth by providing evidence.  Work had also been undertaken to ensure that the Council’s strategy matched that of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, which included those areas which had been previously overlooked.  The Council were proactive at applying for funding pots and had submitted three bids.  Two of the bids had been successful with funding being granted of £4.25m.  It was also hoped that a third would also be supported.

In relation to what the Council were doing to support town centres, Councillor Penny acknowledged the challenges recently faced citing the cost-of-living crisis and the covid pandemic.  She noted that there had been a change in approach to how town centres were assisted with a move away from a retail only focus to now include leisure provision, open spaces, community led projects together with residential and hospitality.  She advised that the Council provided free planning advice for key town centre sites, there was provision of discretionary rate relief to support new retailers and also charitable and community organisations.  A number of capital projects had been instigated across the district and campaigns to promote retailers were also undertaken.  Grant funding was also provided to restore historical shop fronts.  There were active business forums within the district and an improved way in which to measure footfall had been launched all of which were done to support the district’s town centres and high streets.

In relation to how the Council promoted the district to attract visitors, Councillor Penny noted that the area had a strong tourism offer.  A project entitled the Rebel Rangers Tour had been instigated by Newark & Sherwood and involved other local authorities throughout the county.  The tour enabled a person to visit a variety of locations and would promote the district as a whole rather than visiting a single point of interest in isolation.  Work was also ongoing with the improvement and promotion of the district’s green spaces and work was continuing with the Castle Gatehouse Project.  She also advised that there had been a Happy Families promotion to encourage visitors and noted the continuing work of the Tourism Action Group, which included the promotion of the district both regionally and nationally.  Councillor Penny also referred to the success of the shopper’s gift card.

In relation to how the Council were supporting people with health issues into employment or training, Councillor Penny advised that much of this work was undertaken by partner organisations with the Council’s role being that of influencing the project’s direction, of supporting the projects and of providing funding.  The work provided pathways and removed barriers to enable the district’s residents to take up employment and/or training.  The Council’s health and wellbeing agenda was also aligned with this work to better support people into work who had existing health issues.  The Council provided an annual Future First Expo which provided a forum for young people of engage with employers.

In referring to increased digitisation of processes arising from planning reforms and how the Council would meet the Government agenda for 1.5 million new homes, growth and investment whilst encouraging positive planning outcomes for local communities, it was noted that the reforms had resulted in the removal of some of the processes currently in place and Councillor Penny advised that the existing in-house process needed to be reviewed.  She noted that the current local plan had been submitted some 2 years previously but was yet to be approved.  Work had however already commenced on the development of the new plan which would cover a period of 36 months.  Speculative applications were expected due to the situation with the current local plan and not having a 5-year housing delivery plan.  She acknowledged the challenges this brought and noted that the Council were not able to compel developers to bring houses to the market.

In relation to what measure the Council may take to ensure that the voice of local residents continued to be heard following the planning reforms, Councillor Penny noted that this was a challenge for all local planning authorities and would continue to be following local government reorganisation.  She commented that work would be required to encourage parishes to develop their own neighbourhood plans or planning statements.  Also, that development of a process to allow community advocates to speak on planning applications would be required. 

In considering the responses to the questions raised, a Member queried as to how successful the Shopper’s Gift Card promotion had been.  Councillor Penny advised that she would provide the Committee with a written reply.

In relation to attracting visitors to the district, a Member raised queries in relation to a number of issues in Newark including: the amount of budget spent on advertising outside of the district; what did the Tourist Action Group achieve; how was the data collected from the footfall sensors used; could consideration be given to producing physical information for the visitors rather than it being totally digital.  In response, In acknowledging the comments, Councillor Penny advised that her remit was to consider the whole of the district.  She added that discussions were held in relation to the provision of paper-based information and also the further enhancement of digital information.  She also requested that, if possible, Members provide examples of how paper-based information was utilised in other areas. 

In referring to a county-based tourist app called Visit Notts., a Member queried whether this was still in use and if so, how did Newark & Sherwood promote itself on there.  He also queried what specific work was being carried out with local schools in terms of employment opportunities.  In response, Councillor Penny commented that she was not aware of the Visit Notts. App. but that the Rebel Rangers Tour was countywide and that the Council were at the heart of its development.  In relation to working with the local schools, she advised of the opportunities for students to engage with businesses at the Future First Expo which was held annually at the Newark Showground.

In referring to economic growth in the district, a Member queried as to why funding was not allocated wider across the district than at present.  In relation to promotion of the district, she stated that not all residents were able to use digital means and there should be, if possible, physical promotions or boards with QR codes on that took the user direct to a site with appropriate information.  She also queried whether there was sufficient resource to allow Officers to assist parish councils with developing their neighbourhood plans as it was often very challenging for them to do so without assistance.  In response, Councillor Penny advised that the allocation of funding was based on strict eligibility criteria and could not be extended beyond that which it was allocated for.  In responding to the suggestion that Officers supporting the development of parishes neighbourhood plans, she advised that there was not sufficient resource to do this but that discussions with other organisations were ongoing who may be able to assist. 

In closing the debate, the Chair thanked Councillor Penny for her attendance and detailed responses to the queries raised.  He requested that reports be brought to future meetings of the Committee in relation to tourism in the district.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

a)            the responses to the questions raised be noted; and

b)            a report be brought to a future meeting of the Committee in relation to tourism in the district.