Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Ali for Councillor Riaz, Councillor Hodgson for Councillor Geraghty and Councillor Lewing for Councillor Round.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Cooper declared an interest in the Worcester City Centre Transport Strategy (Minute 15) as a member of Bike Worcester. The Corporate Director – Planning and Governance advised that membership of a consultee organisation would not prohibit a Member from speaking on this item.

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 Committee.

Kate Collier spoke on the Worcester Play Plan (Minute 14) as a local resident and a representative of a play campaign group. She expressed the view that this is a positive and encouraging plan. The group wishes to guide and challenge and she made reference to their comments in response to the consultation. She raised a number of feedback points for consideration:

·     there are some inconsistencies in the Plan and its recommendations;

·     the involvement of Worcester Play Council as a strategic partner;

·     planning for risky, adventurous and sensory play going forward;

·     working with Worcester Environmental Group and the Wild About Worcester Way, which would slot well into the Play on the Way aspect of the Plan;

·     active travel is mentioned in numerous recommendations – how does the Plan link with the Worcester City Active Travel Action Plan?

·     What is the Council’s long-term vision for play?

·     What is the process for amending or adding to the Plan? What is the process for further consultation? How can the campaign group be involved in implementing the Plan?

Rob Collier, Secretary of Bike Worcester, spoke on the Worcester City Centre Draft Transport Strategy (Minute 15). He had emailed comments on the Strategy to all Committee Members and he summarised the main points. The main points that he made were:

·        Bike Worcester noted that the majority of respondents to the survey support an increase in space for cycling and walking along major roads in Worcester City Centre.

·        The consultation document showed that parents do not consider Worcester a safe place for children to cycle.

·        Some Bike Worcester volunteers had expressed concerns that, without political will and funding, the proposed changes will not be delivered.

·        What encouragement can be given that the active travel proposals in the Worcestershire Local Transport Plan 2011 will be delivered?

·        More cycling and walking will help to reduce congestion.

·        Bike Worcester have a number of questions on detailed aspects of the Plan which were set out in the email which had been sent to Members.

The Chair thanked both speakers and advised that written responses will be provided.

Of the meeting held on 5^th June 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th June 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the Committee -

1.      Notes the contents of this report, and approves the Worcester Play Plan attached at Appendix 1;

2.      Agrees that the projects set out in section 5.1 are the first phase priority projects under the Worcester Play Plan and authorises officers to progress those projects subject to further reports and final approvals, on funding and any project-specific risks and the outcome of consultation with relevant ward members and local stakeholders;

3.      Approves the principle of allocating up to £400k of the funding already collected by the Council under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to the delivery of projects under the Worcester Play Plan;

4.      Approves the principle of allocating existing and future s106 funding to the first phase priority projects, as part of a geographical mapping exercise to be undertaken by officers to link funding to proposed projects; and

5.      Notes that officers will bring back to Committee in November an overarching delivery plan showing how play provision will be developed and funded in line with the Worcester Play Plan over the next 10 years, with recommendations for specific funding allocations to be added to the Council’s capital programme.

The Committee considered a report on the Worcester Play Plan, which had been prepared as a result of the project led by Harper Perry, who were appointed to undertake this work on the Council’s behalf between November 2022 and May 2023. The Corporate Director – Planning and Governance presented the report and summarised the main points, including the consultation process, feedback received areas for improvement which had been identified and the main themes of the draft Plan, which was recommended for adoption. It was proposed to report back to the Committee in November with an overarching delivery plan.

Officers responded to questions and comments from Committee Members. The Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities advised that Ward Members will be involved in developing proposals to deliver new play spaces. Officers will also approach local schools.

In response to a question about promoting play as an attraction for visitors, the Managing Director acknowledged the merits of this point, which will be picked up by Officers.

In conclusion, Committee Members expressed support for the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1.   note the contents of this report, and approves the Worcester Play Plan attached at Appendix 1;

2.   agree that the projects set out in section 5.1 are the first phase priority projects under the Worcester Play Plan and authorises officers to progress those projects subject to further reports and final approvals, on funding and any project-specific risks and the outcome of consultation with relevant ward members and local stakeholders;

3.   approve the principle of allocating up to £400k of the funding already collected by the Council under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to the delivery of projects under the Worcester Play Plan;

4.   approve the principle of allocating existing and future s106 funding to the first phase priority projects, as part of a geographical mapping exercise to be undertaken by officers to link funding to proposed projects; and

5.   note that officers will bring back to Committee in November an overarching delivery plan showing how play provision will be developed and funded in line with the Worcester Play Plan over the next 10 years, with recommendations for specific funding allocations to be added to the Council’s capital programme.

That the Committee endorses the Draft Worcester City Centre Transport Strategy and urges Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to give priority to progressing development and implementation of the final strategy in order to shape future transport decisions and assist in meeting the responsibilities of local government in improving air quality.

The Committee considered a report on the Draft Worcester City Centre Transport Vision Summary and the Draft Worcester City Centre Transport Strategy, which had been developed in partnership between the City and County Councils. The Deputy Director – Economic Development presented the report and explained that the development of the Draft Strategy has been a County Council owned project, however the programmes and projects within it are a key priority for the City Council too. She summarised the main aspects of the Draft Strategy. The Managing Director also spoke and highlighted the impact on the City Council’s statutory duties with regard to the preparation and implementation of the city’s Air Quality Action Plan.

Officers responded to questions and comments from Committee Members on various aspects of the Draft Strategy.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee endorses the Draft Worcester City Centre Transport Strategy and urges Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to give priority to progressing development and implementation of the final strategy in order to shape future transport decisions and assist in meeting the responsibilities of local government in improving air quality.

That the committee note the activities undertaken in museums in 2022-23 and the impact of the service.

The Committee considered the Museums Worcestershire Annual Review, attached as Appendix 1 to the cover report. Committee Members were informed that the Annual Review of Museums Worcestershire activity in 2022/23 was approved by the Joint Museums Committee at their meeting in June 2023.  It highlighted the impact that museums make in the city and county, illustrated through narrative, comments from users and performance figures.

The Museums Manager, in presenting the report, highlighted that the recovery from the Covid pandemic across the heritage and cultural sector continues, but performance at some venues is now additionally being hit by cost-of-living increases.

The Museums Manager responded to questions from Committee Members.

Committee Members welcomed the report and gave thanks for the work undertaken by both staff and volunteers.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the activities undertaken in museums in 2022/23 and the impact of the service.

1.  To note the progress and delivery of the Communities and Place theme within the UKSPF programme; and

2.  To note options for reallocating funding in the light of progress to date and to receive a further report on any proposed reallocations at the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee received a report on the progress and delivery of the Communities and Place theme within the UKSPF programme.  The report focused on progress on the Communities and Place priority and identified opportunities to consider future re-allocation of the funding streams.

The Deputy Director – Economic Development presented the report and highlighted the main points. It was explained that the funding allocation and accompanying guidance allows for local authorities to reallocate funding between the interventions within each priority without needing to request the change. Should the Committee indicate that it wishes to explore reallocation of the funding priorities, a report setting out options will be brought to the next meeting

She responded to questions and comments from Committee Members.

RESOLVED: That the Committee agree to:

1.   note the progress and delivery of the Communities and Place theme within the UKSPF programme; and

2.   note options for reallocating funding in the light of progress to date and to receive a further report on any proposed reallocations at the next meeting of the Committee.

1.  That Members note the content of the report and the opportunity to contribute to consultation; and

2.  That Members also note the opportunity to contribute to the consultation for the public realm enhancements proposed as part of the Heritage and Riverside Project at Worcester Cathedral.  An exhibition of the proposals will be displayed at the Cathedral between 12 and 26 July 2023.

The Committee received a report on the Towns Fund Heritage and Riverside Project for St Andrew’s Gardens. The Deputy Director – Corporate Policy and Strategy presented the report and explained that the Town Investment Plan Heritage and Riverside Project is in three parts, as outlined in paragraphs 3.1.1- 3.1.3 of the report. St Andrew’s Gardens project was the subject of this report. He highlighted the summary of proposed enhancements as set out in paragraph 3.3 of report. Further details of the scheme proposals were outlined in Appendix 1. The proposals will require planning consent, conservation and listed building consent.  Prior to the submission of applications, consultation inviting feedback on the sketch design for the enhancements is proposed with the groups as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.

The appointment of a contractor will take place in early January 2024, with the construction phase during Spring - Summer 2024.

In the ensuing discussion, Officers advised that the purpose of the report was to note the proposed St Andrew’s scheme and consultation. Committee Members were not being asked to approve the public realm improvements and this would not affect Members who sit on Planning Committee from determining the application.

In response to a question about signposting, it was clarified that Pitchcroft forms one part of the broader Riverside Park and there is no intention to rename it.

RESOLVED: That the Committee agree to note:

1.   the content of the report and the opportunity to contribute to consultation; and

2.   the opportunity to contribute to the consultation for the public realm enhancements proposed as part of the Heritage and Riverside Project at Worcester Cathedral.  An exhibition of the proposals will be displayed at the Cathedral between 12 and 26 July 2023.

That the Place and Economic Development Committee notes the Council’s quarter 1 performance for 2023/24.

The Committee considered a report on the Council’s Quarter 1 performance for Place and Economic Development Committee for 2023/24. The Managing Director presented the report and highlighted those projects with a red RAG rating.

With reference to the Foregate Street Arches CDF project, the Arts Council have agreed extension of capital works to July 2024 and it was therefore proposed that the end date of the project is revised to that date.

With reference to the Economic Development Strategy, it was proposed that this be reviewed in view of the recent changes in political leadership and political balance.

The Managing Director responded to questions and comments from Committee Members. He advised that Officers will look at opportunities for Members to engage with local businesses.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1.    agree to note the Council’s quarter 1 performance for 2023/24; and

2.    endorse the changes referred to above.

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

Councillor Jagger stated that she wished to raise a matter which may be commercially sensitive. In the circumstances she would discuss this with Officers outside the meeting.