Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Councillor R I Jackson, Councillor R D MacRae and Councillor J W McGrath declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7. Stapleford Towns Deal Fund, as all were members of the Stapleford Town Board.  Minute number 29 refers.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting on 3 September 2020, were confirmed as a correct record after a minor amendment.

To update the Committee on the conclusion of the Council’s business data gathering exercise and provide recommendations of further actions, for inclusion into a wider Economic Recovery Plan for businesses post COVID-19.

The Committee received an update on the data gathering exercise that had been conducted to inform an Economic Recovery Plan for businesses that had suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was noted that the survey had been conducted prior to the second lockdown had been implemented. 

There followed a discussion about the possibility of using urgency powers to suspend car parking charges for the month of December to assist businesses in town centres.  There was concern that this could cause congestion and it was suggested that a three-hour time limit be strictly enforced to ensure car parks were not used as park and rides.

RESOLVED that the Recovery Plan actions, with full and final costings or refinement of specific actions to be agreed at a later Committee, be approved.

To update Members as to the plan for developing a Town Investment Strategy for Eastwood and Kimberley Towns respectively.

The Committee considered the development of Town Investment Plans (TIPs) for Eastwood and Kimberley Towns.  It was agreed that to have schemes ready for when funding streams became available was a sensible approach that allowed the Council to take full advantage of opportunities as they arose.  It was noted the Town Councils in both areas may have data that could be shared to inform the TIPs.

RESOLVED that the proposed timelines for the Eastwood and Kimberley Investment Plans be approved.

Councillor P Lally left the meeting and was not able to vote thereon. 

Following the appointment of the Markets and Promotions Officer, this report seeks Committee approval for a programme of works to be put in place for the Markets Officer, and an associated budget.

A programme of work for the Markets and promotions Officer was submitted to the Committee for approval, with an associated budget.

Discussion included the importance of promoting the markets through social media, the possibility of social media being used for members of the public to state what stalls they would like to see at their local market and the importance of ensuring markets were complimentary to existing businesses.

RESOLVED that:

1.              the Markets Officer programme be approved

2.              that the additional finance of £2,000 for seasonal markets be RECOMMENDED to Finances and Resources for approval.

To note the following reports:

·       Update on Key Sites

·       Houses in Multiple Occupation in Beeston

·       Performance Management – Review of Business Plan Progress – Jobs and Economy

·       Stapleford Towns Deal Fund

The Committee noted the Update on Key Sites as well as reports on Houses in Multiple Occupation in Beeston, Performance Management – Review of Business Plan Progress – Jobs and Economy and Stapleford Towns Deal Fund.

There was a detailed discussion of the Houses in Multiple Occupation in Beeston report with the timing of the consultation for the Article 4 Direction of particular concern as it spanned Christmas.  It was agreed that Officers should use their discretion to either start the consultation as planned and extend it, or to start the consultation later thus avoiding the festive period.

Debate progressed on to the Stapleford Towns Deal Fund and the difficulties in identifying appropriately ambitious schemes to bid for up to £25million through the Towns Deal.  There was agreement that further work on the bid needed to be done in conjunction with the Stapleford Town Deal Board.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

The Committee noted that an item on HS2 and associated development was going to be heard at the meeting of Policy and Performance Committee on 2 December 2020 and at full Council on 16 December 2020.

RESOLVED that reports on a Transport Study for the North of the Borough and a verbal update on Houses in Multiple Occupation in Beeston be added to the Work Programme.  Also, that the report in June be retitled to Moult’s Yard Compulsory Purchase Order options.