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518
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volunteering strategy
The Cabinet Member for Localism introduced the report which summarised the purpose of the Volunteering Strategy, the outcomes of the consultation and the draft Strategy and Action Plan.
Members made the following comments: needed to recognise that not all residents had access to the internet and volunteering opportunities should be promoted in other ways, such as through Inside Swale; under 'Measuring Success' the target for the percentage of residents that had given unpaid help to a group, club or organisation at least once a month over the past year was too low and should be more challenging; would a funding buddy be available to groups to assist them with completing grant application forms; and organisations should be encouraged to consider volunteers as this helped people to gain skills and looked positive on CVs.
The Cabinet Member for Localism agreed that communication of volunteering opportunities should include many different mediums; the Council was starting from a low base, so the proposed targets were considered challenging but achievable, and could be reviewed after a year; and part of the purpose of the Strategy was to assist organisations with up-skilling and workshops would be arranged on bid writing.
Christine White, Swale CVS, advised that there was grant finder software available free of charge and listed funding opportunities available to organisations. The funding buddy had been a one-off project but Swale CVS would support organisations seeking grant funding.
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520
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sittingbourne town centre review
The Regeneration Director referred the Committee to the tabled update report on progress with the Spirit of Sittingbourne and the regeneration of Sittingbourne Town Centre. He explained that the viability assessment was fundamental for both parties to ensure that they can achieve what they want from the regeneration proposals. The Regeneration Director advised that the viability assessment would be subject to consideration by the Council's external consultants; and any changes to the Development Agreement would need to be agreed by Cabinet. With regard to Tescos, he advised that they were finalising some legal ownership issues but they had started marketing their land north of the railway line.
Members then asked the following questions:
Q1:
How were the proposals different from 18 months ago; had the plans been scaled down?
A1:
The Regeneration Director explained that there had been a delay with the project and there were some changes proposed around the edges regarding retail provision; but overall it had not been substantially scaled down.
Q2:
I note that Altyon want to withdraw as a partner: who is paying for this; would there be any financial penalties; and who would be stepping in to replace them?
A2:
The Regeneration Director advised that Altyon was not an investment fund in its own right and the Spirit of Sittingbourne would have to cover any costs. He confirmed that if the Council was approached by Altyon advising of their wish to withdraw from the consortium, he would agree to the request. He explained that it was a reasonably straight-forward process requiring a Deed of Variation and would not result in excessive legal costs for the Council. He confirmed that Spirit of Sittingbourne was in talks with a new partner.
Q3:
Would there be a gap between Altyon leaving and a new partner joining the consortium?
A3:
The Regeneration Director considered that this was very likely.
Q4:
When will the Network Rail agreement be resolved?
A4:
The Special Projects Officer explained that this was a long process but at their latest meeting Network Rail continued to express their support for the proposals, as long as a replacement car park was provided. He explained that the Council was considering a land-swap arrangement with Network Rail, which would result in a quicker legal process, and satisfy both parties' needs.
Q5:
Why was Spirit of Sittingbourne undertaking a new viability assessment?
A5:
The Regeneration Director explained that, since Spirit of Sittingbourne was appointed, retailers' requirements had changed; they no longer wanted mezzanine floor levels and require more car parking. This would reduce the amount of retail space available and could reduce profits for Spirit of Sittingbourne.
Q6:
As the Spirit of Sittingbourne has not delivered the project on time, was it correct that the Council could have imposed financial penalties on them, but had chosen not to?
A6:
The Regeneration Director advised that whilst some of the delay was due to Spirit of Sittingbourne, there had also been a delay with the Council receiving Section 123 approval from the Secretary of State. The Council had offered to waive the initial £100k from Spirit of Sittingbourne to the Council until a viable scheme had been developed, but he understood that Spirit were still keen to pay the money in-line with the agreement.
Q7:
Did Spirit of Sittingbourne not assess the market as well as they could have done, is this why the viability has changed?
A7:
The Regeneration Director explained that land values are not what Spirit of Sittingbourne had hoped they would be by this stage.
Q8:
What are the plans for the Bell Centre?
A8:
The Regeneration Director advised that the developers who owned the Bell Centre site had gone into administration. The Bell Centre demolition had been completed by the administrators to enable them to market the site for the best possible price.
Q9:
What consideration had been given to managing the public's expectations in the future and the risk of losing public support in the project?; what could the Council do to ensure that Tescos land ownership did not hamper the regeneration proposals?; and what come-back did the Council have on Tescos for not fulfilling their proposals?
A9:
The Regeneration Director explained that the Council would manage their communications and release information at the appropriate times, to ensure that public expectations were not raised prematurely. With regard to land ownership issues, Spirit's proposals were not reliant on Tescos land, and it would not hamper the project moving forward. The Council had no come-back on Tescos for choosing not to pursue their proposals.
Q10:
Tescos decision not to regenerate their land meant alternative land would need to need to be found to fulfil the Council's housing targets, putting pressure on other areas, what consideration had the Council given to this issue?
A10:
The Regeneration Director agreed that alternative land would need to be found and he would explore this issue with Officers. The Cabinet Member for Localism advised that Government were formulating proposals to stop developers from being able to land-bank, and the Council should lobby Government.
Q11:
Would Spirit of Sittingbourne be interested in Tesco's land to extend their development proposals?
A11:
The Regeneration Director advised that this had not been raised by Spirit of Sittingbourne.
Q12:
What was the Regeneration Director's view on why Altyon have withdrawn from the consortium and was it due to viability?
A12:
The Regeneration Director advised that he could not answer why they had chosen to withdraw as this was not an issue for the Council. Altyon had not been an active partner, and the Cathedral Group remained the senior partner. The Special Projects Officer considered that the potential new partner may be more beneficial for the project.
Q13:
How could the Regeneration Director tell that Spirit of Sittingbourne remained keen on the project?
A13:
The Regeneration Director advised that Spirit continued to put resources and money into the project. Their senior management had attended the last two high-level meetings and were in regular contact, and Spirit's input to the monthly officer meetings had been positive. He explained that he was confident that Spirit was fully on-board with the project.
Q14:
Where do the Morrisons and skate-park proposals fit in to the wider regeneration proposals?
A14:
The Regeneration Director reported that Essential Land had advised that their original proposal for residential development on the land to the rear of Morrisons was no longer viable, and a revised planning application was expected shortly. The skate-park had secured funding from a range of sources and Groundwork had been appointed to develop a planning application and assist with securing further funding. The land transfer had been agreed and finalised.
Q15:
What were Tescos' intentions for the Forum site?
A15:
The Regeneration Director considered that if Tesco were offered a high enough price for the site they may consider selling, but currently the Forum was doing well and it remained a viable asset for Tesco.
Q16:
Had Spirit of Sittingbourne expressed any interest in the Bell Centre?
A16:
The Regeneration Director explained that such interest would be commercially confidential. The Special Projects Officer advised that Swale's Clinical Commissioning Group had originally expressed an interest in the site for a large medical centre, which would bring together a number of existing GP surgeries around the town centre onto one site. Spirit of Sittingbourne had engaged a consultant on health facilities to explore this.
Q17:
How far down the line was the project in terms of discussions with retailers and a cinema operator?
A17:
The Special Projects Officer advised that the Council had been provided with a list of potential occupiers who had expressed interest in the retail space, but they would not sign any agreements until planning applications had been agreed.
Q18:
Who was the Council up-against in terms of regeneration plans in the Kent area?
A18:
The Regeneration Director advised that the Kings Mead site in Canterbury was in the early stage of developing proposals for a cinema complex.
Q19:
Could more information be provided on the meeting between Spirit of Sittingbourne and Canterbury College, and what level of Further Education facility was required with more work-based learning opportunities available?
A19:
The Regeneration Director considered that it would be desirable for Sittingbourne to have a Further Education facility. The College would need to enter into a long-term lease so they would need to consider whether it would be a viable option for them.
Q20:
What consideration was being given to helping the existing High Street?
A20:
The Regeneration Director explained that one of strengths of the Spirit of Sittingbourne's proposals was that they included the High Street within their figure-of-eight concept, which would give people a reason to walk through the High Street. He considered that the High Street would need to change and adapt, with a move to more specialist shops, an improved night-time economy, and more residential use.
The Cabinet Member for Localism considered that the proposal to move the market into the High Street, and the Town Centre Traders Group were examples of action being taken to help High Street retailers.
The Chairman thanked the Regeneration Director and Special Projects Officer for attending the meeting.
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522
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other review progress reports
Councillor Derek Conway, as Lead Member for the Economic Development review, provided an update on progress with the review, and future areas for consideration by the Review Group. He advised that a report would be submitted to the next meeting on 12 February 2014.
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525
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committee work programme
Councillor Roger Truelove, as Lead Member for the mental health review, suggested that this topic be added to the agenda for the meeting on 19 March 2014, which the Committee agreed.
A Member referred to the Homelessness Strategy, which was listed on the Forward Plan for consideration by Cabinet at their meeting on 16 April 2014. The Committee had previously agreed that this Strategy should be included in their work programme and the Policy and Performance Officer undertook to confirm the appropriate meeting for the draft Strategy to be reviewed.
 Policy and Performance Officer
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