Agenda and minutes

To receive details of any Members appointed to attend the meeting instead of a Member of the Sub-Committee.

None.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Councillor Geraghty and Mrs L. Hodgson – Review of Progress in Delivering the Worcestershire Business Park (Worcester Six Business Park) (Minute 90) – As Members of Worcestershire County Council.

Councillor Mrs L. Hodgson – Update on Delivery of Tourism Strategy (Minute 95) – As a County Council Cabinet Member of Communities.

Councillor Geraghty – The Kiln Co-Working Innovation Space, 2 Copenhagen Street (Minute 96) – As a member of Worcestershire LEP.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

None.

Of the meeting held on 22^nd October 2018 to be approved and signed.

That the Sub-Committee receive a presentation and verbal update from Gerard Ludlow of Stoford Properties Limited about the progress in delivering the Worcestershire Business Park.

The Sub-Committee received a report on the review of progress in delivering the Worcestershire Business Park (Worcester Six).

The Corporate Director – Place presented the report which provided background information to Members on the development of the site to be known as Worcester Technology Park.

The public sector had made an investment of £5m towards on site infrastructure via an agreement between the County Council and the landowners.  This was funded by £0.5m from the City Council, £0.5m from Wychavon District Council and £4.0m from the County Council.  The County Council have also grant aided off-site infrastructure works to the value of £5m.

To date the City Council had received proceeds of £53k as a result of development at Worcester Business Park and further proceeds as the completed units were occupied would be received in due course.

The Sub-Committee received a presentation and verbal update from Gerard Ludlow of Stoford Properties Limited about the progress in delivering the Worcestershire Business Park.  Mr Ludlow responded to questions from Members.

The Sub-Committee gave thanks to Mr Ludlow for the presentation and the update on progress.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee notes the report, presentation and verbal update on the progress of delivering the Worcestershire Business Park.

1.     That the Sub-Committee note the proposed Budgets for the various services identified for 2019/20; and

2.     That the Sub-Committee consider the priorities within each service and recommends any change for the services’ Income and Efficiency plans.

The Sub-Committee considered the proposed Economic Development and Planning Service summary budget for 2019/20, appendix 1, and the initiatives proposed in the Income and Efficiency plan, at appendix 2.  Members’ attention was drawn to an updated appendix 2 which now included the Museums Service.  Members also received a progress report on the various capital projects aligned to this Committee, in addition the draft Capital Programme to 2023/24 was shown in appendix 3.

The Head of Finance presented the report and Officers responded to questions from Members.

A proposal was made to amend the budget to include an additional contribution of £225,000, being the remaining balance of the City Council’s City Plan Fund, towards the cost of the new pedestrian bridge between Gheluvelt Park and the old Kepax landfill site.  This proposal was seconded.

Members then entered into a debate on the proposed amendment where support and opposition was expressed. On being put to the vote the proposal to amend the services budget was agreed.

There were no other proposed amendments.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee notes the report and the proposed  budgets for the various services identified for 2019/20 and recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee to consider the amendment of £225,000 to the services budget from the City Plan Fund.

That members note the content of the South Worcestershire Development Plan - Authorities’ Monitoring Report 2017/18 (as set out at Appendix 1) and its publication.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the South Worcestershire Development Plan Authorities’ Monitoring report 2017/18 which was attached as appendix 1.

The Authorities’ Monitoring report (AMR) is used to assess the effectiveness of Worcester City’s planning policies and to inform any future revisions to policies or their implementation.

The AMR covers the monitoring period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st March 2018.  This is the second AMR prepared since the South Worcestershire Development Plan was adopted in 2016.  The AMR covers the whole of South Worcestershire and monitors the delivery and implementation of all aspects of the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

Paragraph 3.6 of the report sets out those Supplementary Planning Documents that have been adopted within the last monitoring year.  Paragraph 3.7 of the report sets out the key trends and delivery figures for Worcester City during that year.

The Planning Policy Team Leader responded to a question regarding smaller businesses/start up businesses and the affordable sites as set out on page 47  of appendix 1.  It was asked that future reports include some form of monitoring for these businesses. 

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee notes the contents of the South Worcestershire Development Plan – Authorities Monitoring report 2017/18, as set out in Appendix 1 attached to the report, and its publication.

That members note the annual update to the Brownfield Land Register which was published in December 2018 and forms Appendix 1 to this report. 

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the annual update of the Brownfield Land Register 2018, attached as appendix 1 to the report.

The preparation, maintenance and publication of the Brownfield Land Register is a legal requirement that was introduced by the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

The Worcester City Brownfield Land Register was first published in December 2017 and this report updated Members on the version published in 2018.

The register published in December 2018 on the City Council website listed the sites which meet the criteria for Part 1 of the Brownfield Land Register.  At the current time it was considered that there were no sites suitable for a grant of Permission in Principle and therefore there were no entries on Part 2 of the Register this year.  This will be reviewed in future updates of the Register.

The City Council is required to update the Brownfield Land Register at least annually and the next update will be in December 2019  However, more frequent updates can be provided if necessary.

The Planning Policy Team Leader responded to questions from Members and agreed to look into producing a map that identifies the location of the sites and making it available on-line.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee notes the annual update to the Brownfield Land Register, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, which was published in December 2018.

The Place and Economic Development Sub-Committee note the consultation response and proposed amendments.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the consultation responses to the Worcester City Centre Masterplan.

The masterplan presents a long-term vision for the City Centre.  Therefore, it is important that it is based upon broad political, stakeholder and resident support to ensure that it could fulfil its role as a planning document and as a means to engage with the investment market, government agencies and external stakeholders.

Throughout the masterplan process a number of engagement exercises have taken place and these are highlighted at paragraph 2.3 of the report.  These exercises aided the direction and production of the draft masterplan, which was launched to public on the 9^th October 2018.  A period of consultation followed, the results of which are highlighted in appendix 1 attached to the report.

There was general support for the draft masterplan vision along with the four character areas highlighted in the appendix.  The final version of the City Centre Masterplan is to be presented to the Policy and Resources Committee in March 2019 for adoption.

The Sub-Committee thanked Officers for the report and the work carried out in the engagement process.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee note the consultation response and proposed amendments.

That the Sub-Committee notes the update on the progress towards delivery of the Worcester City Tourism Strategy 2017-2022.

The Sub-Committee considered an update report on the delivery of the Tourism Strategy.

In January 2017 the Cabinet approved the Worcester City Tourism Strategy 2017/22 which set out the Council’s goals in relation to economic growth and prosperity through sustainable tourism development.

The three key objectives of the strategy were set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report.  In order to progress delivery of the objectives an initial enabling budget of £146,00 was allocated.  The report provided an update for Members as to how the budget has been spent to date, alongside plans for further spend and delivery for 2019/20.

The Economic Development Officer – Tourism and Events, updated the Sub-Committee as to the notable successes in 2018 which included the GB High Street Awards, which saw Worcester shortlisted, alongside 13 other places in England.  In particular the Committee’s attention was drawn to the £3million bid to the Cultural Development Fund which was highlighted at paragraph 3.1 of the report.  Members were informed that since writing the report the funding bid had been successful and the City had been awarded £3millon.

Other notable successes included the integration of the tourism service back in to the City Council from the Chamber of Commerce.  In  partnership with the BID, the team had launched Visit Worcester, the tourist body for the City and had been working on a new website, branding and adverts to promote visitors.

The Sub-Committee thanked all those Officers involved with the preparation of the bid to the Cultural Development Fund.  The award was seen as excellent news for the City.  The close working relationships with the BID and other partner agencies such as Severn Arts was seen as important in taking things forward.

RESOLVED:  That the Sub-Committee notes the update on the progress towards delivery of the Worcester City Tourism Strategy 2017/2022.

The Place and Economic Development Sub-Committee note the update on The Kiln Co-working Innovation Space Project.

The Sub-Committee considered an update on the Kiln Co-Working Innovation Space at 2 Copenhagen Street.

The Corporate Director – Place, in presenting the report, stated that the detailed surveys and inspections had identified a number of structural problems with the building which would need to be addressed before the building can be fitted out to accommodate The Kiln. In October 2018 the Policy and Resources Committee approved £300,00 for the structural repairs work.

The premises refurbishment is highlighted at paragraph 3.1 of the report with a target dated of completion date of 31^st July 2019. 

The Worcestershire LEP Funding agreement had been signed and the LEP has agreed that the final claim for funding does not need to be made until 15^th March 2019 to accommodate the refurbishment works.

RESOLVED:  That the Sub-Committee notes the update on the Kiln Co-Working Innovation Space Project.

That the Committee approve the Street Naming and Numbering Policy (at Appendix 1 of this report) and recommend the schedule of charges to Policy and Resources Committee for inclusion in the schedule of fees and charges for 2019/20.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on Street Naming and Numbering.

Worcester City Council is the responsible authority for street naming and property numbering (SNN) within the City of Worcester.  The Council’s existing Street Naming and Property Numbering Policy was approved by Cabinet on 9^th December 2009.

A review of the existing policy resulted in the drafting of a new version for consultation, attached as appendix 1 to the report. The major changes from the previous policy related to the introduction of a charge for services, attached as appendix 2 to the report.  Other changes in the new policy are highlighted at paragraph 2.3 of the report.

The consultation, via the City Council website, ran for four weeks and no responses or objections from either residents and/or developers were received.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee approve the Street Naming and Numbering Policy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, and recommend the schedule of charges to the Policy and Resources Committee for inclusion in the schedule of fees and charges for 2019/20.

1.   That the Place and Economic Development Sub-Committee notes the Council’s Quarter 3 performance for 2018/19; and

2.   That the Sub-Committee notes the proposed revised due dates for key projects as stated in the relevant project narrative in Appendix 1.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on performance against relevant Key Performance Indicators under the functions of the Place and Economic Development Sub-Committee for Quarter 3.  Officers responded to questions from Members.

The Quarter 3 performance scorecard was attached as appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee:

1.      notes the Council’s Quarter 3 performance for 2018/19; and

2.      notes the proposed revised due dates for key projects as stated in the relevant project narrative in appendix 1.

Which in the opinion of the Chairman is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

None.