Agenda and minutes

Members and Officers are reminded to make any declarations of pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests that they may have in relation to items on this agenda and are reminded that they should re-declare their interest before consideration of the item or as soon as the interest becomes apparent.

Members and officers should make their declaration by stating :

a) the item they have the interest in

b) whether it is a pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial

c) the nature of the interest

            Councillor Buckland declared a standing personal interest as a member of West Sussex County Council and Littlehampton Town Council.

            Councillors Blanchard-Cooper, Miss Rhodes and Miss Seex declared a standing personal interest as Members of Littlehampton Town Council.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2018 (attached).

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2018 were approved by the Subcommittee and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider the start times of meetings for the remainder of 2019/20.

            The Subcommittee

RESOLVED

That the start times of meetings for the remainder of 2019/20 be 6.00 p.m.

In April 2019, the Coastal Communities Fund awarded Littlehampton £2,452,295 to deliver the first two phases of the approved enhanced public realm scheme in Littlehampton town centre. This report provides an overview of the scheme and progress to date.

            (In the course of discussion, the Subcommittee agreed that the following Councillors could speak to the item:-

1.    Councillor Dr Walsh made a number of comments and also declared a personal interest as a member of both West Sussex County Council and Littlehampton Town Council.

2.    In making some comments, Councillor Bicknell also requested that a copy of the draft plans detailing all the phases of public realm enhancements for the town centre be circulated to Members of the Subcommittee to assist their understanding of the proposals.  This was agreed.

            In presenting this update report, the Senior Regeneration Officer highlighted the successful £2,452,295 bid that had been awarded by the Coastal Communities Fund in April 2019 to enable the delivery of public realm works in Littlehampton, together with revenue costs for associated staffing.  The public realm enhancements were for the area of the High Street precinct and pavements/junctions to the railway station where a new and attractive gateway to the town was planned.  An illustrative plan of the scheme had been circulated to Members under separate cover.

            The Senior Regeneration Officer talked through the illustrative plan and emphasised that more detailed design work would be carried out prior the scheme being finalised for delivery.  The objective was to enhance the prosperity and vibrancy of the town centre, bring it more up to date, and enable specialist markets/events to take place to significantly increase the footfall and visitors to Littlehampton.

            Members participated in a full discussion and asked questions of officers which were responded to at the meeting.  Issues covered included:-

·         Improvement to the station frontage

·         Present problems with anti-social behaviour – it was confirmed that CCTV coverage would be improved and incorporated into the scheme.

·         Research survey work was being undertaken now and again in the future after the scheme was complete to provide an evidence base to monitor its impact on the town centre.

·         Communication was seen as integral to keep traders and the public up to date with progress.

·         Highways matters such as the junction at Terminus Road/Arundel Road; the probable requirement for a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order); pedestrianisation; enforcement; and adequate disabled parking.

·         Potential new development in the town needed to be encapsulated within the design and the Senior Regeneration Officer stated that that would be looked at.

·         It was reiterated that the funding obtained was for 2 phases of the entire 5 phase town centre public realm enhancement scheme and that further bids for funding would be made in due course.

·         It was acknowledged that successful marketing was key to drawing people in.

·         The anticipated timeframe was to commence work later this year, with completion in early 2021.  Work would be carried out in small sections to minimise disruption and to ensure businesses could stay open throughout the process of construction.

            The Senior Regeneration Officer requested Members to contact the Economy Team with any further queries or concerns they might have as their input was very much welcomed.  Until the project team and contractor was in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Position Statement will be circulated under separate cover and is now attached.

            (In the course of discussion on this item, Councillor Miss Seex declared a personal interest as she was employed by the Chichester BID,  She remained in the meeting and took part in the debate.

            Councillor Cooper declared a personal interest as a Rustington Trader and Chairman of Rustington Chamber of Commerce as Rustington was mentioned under Shop Front Grants.)

            In receiving and noting the Position Statement, general discussion took place on a number of the elements, particularly:-

·         Shopfront Grants – a question was asked as to whether these were just applicable to Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and an officer response given that these were available for all shops in the District.

·         Littlehampton Town Centre Management – with regard to the GTR Passenger Fund, the Littlehampton Town Centre Regeneration Officer advised Members that steps were being taken to form a Passenger Group as proposals had to be submitted by mid-July.

·         North of Littlehampton Public Art Project – Members would be updated at the next meeting.  The Town Council had been asked for suggested designs.

·         Former Look & Sea Centre – on a question being put by Councillor Bicknell, with the agreement of the Subcommittee, Members were advised that options were being looked at for the use of the upper floors and that the views of Members would be welcomed.

·         Visitor Information Points – Some discussion took place with regard to links to the Sussex by the Sea website and how better to promote Littlehampton as a visitor destination. 

·         Media Coverage/Marketing – it was agreed that a meeting would be arranged between the Group Head of Economy, the Littlehampton Town Centre Regeneration Officer and Councillor Gunner to maximise the marketing potential to increase visitor numbers to the town.

            A request was made for the Subcommittee to receive, as part of the Position Statement, a brief synopsis of the funding streams and costs of the various projects being undertaken at the present time as it was felt that would be extremely useful for Members.