O&S.60/18
The Panel considered a
report that set out whether and what the approach of the Council
should be to the vitality of town centres.
In discussion,
reference was made to:-
(a)
two additional
recommendations. Whilst welcoming the
agenda report, two additional recommendations were PROPOSED as follows:-
1.
That there be a meeting of
representatives of the Town Councils, their Neighbourhood Planning
Groups, local Ward Members and Council Officers to consider and
discuss the issues raised in the presented agenda report and to
formulate, if possible, an agreed way forward; and
2.
That Ivybridge Town Council be invited
to set out how it anticipates this Council assisting it in meeting
its aspirations set out in those parts of its Neighbourhood Plan
relating to its town centre.
Having
been assured that part 2 of the proposal was already being
undertaken, the proposer withdrew this recommendation. Part 1 of the proposal was subsequently SECONDED and, when put to the vote, was declared CARRIED and added to the substantive motion;
(b)
‘Purple Tuesday’. Members highlighted the recent correspondence from
Sarah Newton MP that sought support for the promotion of a new day
dedicated to accessible shopping in the run up to Christmas
2018. It was noted that ‘Purple
Tuesday’ would take place on Tuesday, 13 November and the aim
would be to enable and encourage retailers across the country (and
online) to introduce new measures to make the shopping experience
more inclusive and accessible for disabled customers. A number of Members commended the intention of
this Day and it was PROPOSED and SECONDED and when put to the vote declared CARRIED that:-
‘The
Panel formally expresses its support for ‘Purple
Tuesday’.
(c)
the Neighbourhood
Planning process. By way of caution, a
Member advised that the process followed to adopt a Neighbourhood
Plan was very difficult in itself, however, it was her experience
that the actual delivery of the Plan, one adopted, was proving to
be even harder;
(d)
the Economic
Development aspect of the role.
Officers confirmed that the close linkages between Place Making and
Economic Development were recognised and the lead officer advised
that he did work closely with his colleagues in Business
Development and Assets;
(e)
car parking
charges and public conveniences. A
Member expressed the view that, whilst an honourable intention to
improve the vitality of town centres, this was hampered by the
Council proposals around increasing car parking charges and
installing pay on entry systems in its public
conveniences.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the Panel support the proposed way forward (as
outlined in Section 5 of the presented agenda report), subject to
an additional action being included as follows:
‘That there be a meeting of representatives of
the Town Councils, their Neighbourhood Planning Groups, local Ward
Members and Council Officers to consider and discuss the issues
raised in the presented agenda report and to formulate, if
possible, an agreed way forward.’
2.
That the Panel formally expresses its support for
‘Purple Tuesday’.