Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Daniells and Mrs Staniforth.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2019  (attached).

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2019 were approved by the Subcommittee and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

This report is intended to provide information on proposed amendments to the Arun Public Spaces Protection Order and, specifically, to outline the public consultation arrangements and proposals to encourage and support maximum feedback from the local community (residents, business’ and visitors) by using the online survey available at www.arun.gov.uk .  Members are requested to note the report.

            In the absence of the Community Safety Manager, the Group Head of Economy presented this information report on proposed amendments to the Arun Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and, specifically, to outline the public consultation arrangements and proposals to encourage and support maximum feedback from the local community (residents, businesses and visitors) by using the online survey available at www.arun.gov.uk  The consultation had expired on Thursday 24 October 2019 but any comments made by the Subcommittee at this meeting would be fed into that exercise.

            The Group Head of Economy highlighted that the current PSPO would expire at the end of March 2020 and the consultation had been undertaken to determine whether to extend the current order; amend it; or discharge or let it expire.  The views of statutory agencies had been sought, e.g. Sussex Police Crime Commissioner, West Sussex County Council Highways, Sussex Police and Town Councils, with Parish Councils, business partnerships and various community groups also being invited to comments.  All Members had been notified via email and letter on 24 September 2019 and asked for their views but no responses had been received.  In all, 749 public responses had been received.

            The proposals consulted on were as a result of feedback from businesses and residents of locations and included the banning of the consumption of alcohol in the restricted area.  As explained in the report, the new proposed PSPO areas would be significantly reduced in comparison with the 2017 Order, which covered most of the District.   The new areas specifically related to the town centres of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, with the change being a result of the difficulty in enforcing dispersal powers.  Consideration must be given to resources available for the enforcement of PSPO prohibitions and the management of public expectation.

            It was also proposed to introduce a new PSPO for several Council owned parks and the foreshore of Bognor Regis, as listed below, which would include restrictions on alcohol when connected to anti-social behaviour and the prohibition on people occupying unauthorised structures/vehicles for camping:-

            Hotham Park, Millberry Wood, Bersted Park, The Brooks, Marine Park Gardens, Steyne Gardens, Waterloo Gardens, West Park, Old Rectory Gardens and Longbrook Park.

            Members participated in some debate on the matter and expressed their disappointment that they had not had the opportunity to have input into the proposal to significantly reduce the PSPO areas. Serious concerns were voiced with regard to the impact that would have and it was therefore agreed that the Subcommittee would formally respond to the consultation and request that the areas that had been removed from the existing Public Space Protection Order should be reinstated into the new Order.

            The Subcommittee therefore

RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL

That the formal response of the Bognor Regis Regeneration Subcommittee is that the areas that have been removed from the existing Public Space Protection Order should be reinstated into the new Order.

A verbal update on the work of the Bognor Regis BID will be provided at the meeting.

            (In the course of discussion on this matter, Councillor Stanley declared a personal interest as a Member of Bognor Regis Town Council.)

The Subcommittee received a verbal update on the work and progress of BID (Business Improvement District) from Mr Paul Wells,  Bognor Regis BID Board Director as the Chairman was unable to attend.

            Mr Wells shared and discussed the BID annual report that had been presented at the BID AGM in September.  He was of the view that the BID had made great progress and had had a good impact on the town in the last year, particularly regarding the introduction of the Bognor Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP); reducing the incidents of anti-social behaviour; and increasing the number of events and regular markets.  In addition, the closure of troublesome areas and the use of the Alley Gate scheme had proved successful.  Members were advised that the BID was currently focussing on the delivery of a Christmas advertising campaign and working on support for the Ice Rink event.  Close working relationships with partners were being maintained.

            Mr Wells was pleased to advise that a BID Co-ordinator and BID Events Co-ordinator had been recruited and Members were invited to meet them.

            The Subcommittee thanked the BID team for all their hard work and commitment to the BID and town centre and passed on congratulations to Mr Jason Passingham on his appointment as Board Chairman.

            In noting the verbal update, Members also participated in some discussion with regard to the success of the 2 hour free parking scheme in the town centre and it was suggested and agreed that negotiations should be undertaken to investigate the potential to have a longer agreement rather than the current annual one.  Officers were therefore requested to commence negotiations between the Council and BID in respect of that matter.

            The Chairman thanked Mr Wells for his attendance at the meeting.

            The Subcommittee then

RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL

That officers investigate a longer term (more than 1 year) agreement for the 2 hour free parking scheme between the Council and the Bognor Regis Improvement District (BID).

To receive and note the Position Statement.

            The Subcommittee received the Position Statement and made particular comment on the following:-

·         Enterprise Bognor Regis – Members were advised that the deferred Salt Box planning application would be considered at the meeting of the Development Control Committee on 6 November 2019.  A request was made for nearby Council road signs to recognise the local presence of Rolls Royce.

·         Gardens by the Sea – the Chairman advised that Cabinet would be attending a workshop on 11 November 2019 to discuss options for the Sunken Gardens

·         Seafront Regeneration – a request was made for screening to be introduced when the Bandstand was refurbished.

·         University of Chichester – A question was asked regarding what provision had been made for the lorries and coaches that would be displaced when the lorry and coach park site was developed for student accommodation.  The Group Head of Economy gave a response that that would be followed up with officers working on the proposal.

·         Butlins – A query was raised as to when Butlins would be making improvements to the northern vehicle entrance, which was a condition on the planning permission.  The Group Head of Economy gave a response that she would investigate and report back.

·         Old Town and Pier – Councillor Charles made a statement presenting facts in relation to a statement that had been made by Councillor Oppler at the Sub-Committee’s last meeting on Waterloo Place. 

·         Railway Station – A Member request was made that officers press Network Rail to get the station clock working.

·         Placebranding and Promotion – Members were advised that logo image, application options, campaign ideas, marketing rollout plans and tool kit proposals would come to a future meeting.

·         Gigabit West Sussex – It was suggested that the Council should consider a Planning Policy approach to fibre optic installations and ducting to new properties.

In noting the remainder of the report, the Subcommittee was also advised by the Group Head of Economy that the draft Economic Development Strategy would be circulated to all Members shortly.