Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation Councillor Chitty which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of Councillor Chitty, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation which fell within the remit of this Committee as set out below:

·         Economic Development

·         Employment

·         Local Plan

·         Markets

·         Planning Policy

·         Regulation – Environmental Health/Trading Standards/Enforcement and Licensing (executive functions only)

·         Social Regeneration

·         South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership

The Portfolio Holder responded to Members’ questions and comments as follows:

·         Innovation Studios Medway – A Member asked whether the lower level take up of the ground floor innovation studio units was attributed to the potential flood risk of the site on which the units were located. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the location of the site had dictated the design of the units and the ground floor units were being used for storage. Tenants of the units were fully aware of the limitations of the site before taking on the units.

·         Gillingham and Chatham Town Centre vacant shop rates – A Member asked the Portfolio Holder what was being done to reduce the level of vacant shops in town centres. In response, the Portfolio Holder agreed that the vacancy rates were unacceptable but stated that major regeneration plans were underway for Chatham which may help. In addition, the Chatham Town Forum was continuing to work to reduce the number of vacant shops. In Gillingham, works had been undertaken to improve Gillingham Railway Station and a long term masterplan was in place for the regeneration of Britton Farm.

·         Local Growth Fund (LGF) Bids – A Member referred to the list of LGF bids detailed in the report and asked why the Britton Farm LGF bid had not been included. The Portfolio Holder advised that she was unable to provide information on this bid at the current time but confirmed that if funding was not available, the Council would pursue funding for Gillingham in the next round of High Street funding allocations.

·         Jobs fair – In response to a suggestion that the Jobs Fair be extended to take place twice a year, the Portfolio Holder stated that the Jobs Fair was very successful and attracted many businesses and she considered that to increase the event more than once a year may dilute the effectiveness of the event and reduce the numbers of businesses taking part.

·         Medway Local Plan - next steps –The Portfolio Holder and Head of Planning outlined the current position concerning the Medway Local Plan and the next steps to be followed. The outcome of the Housing Infrastructure Bid was awaited and it was anticipated that the draft Plan would be produced in the Summer of 2019 with the final Plan being submitted to Cabinet in the Spring of 2020.

In response to a question as to whether the Local Plan would include provision for one or more new recycling centres in Medway, the Portfolio Holder stated that this was an issue that could be investigated but in the meantime, the Council needed to maximise the use of the three existing centres. She also gave a reassurance that recycling would continue.

·         Annual Monitoring Report – It was confirmed that this was available on the Council’s website.

·         Economic development in Medway – A Member referred to the Centre for Cities Independent Report for the South East Region and stated that from the statistics provided, Medway was not performing as well as other areas such as Swindon and Brighton. In response, the Portfolio Holder stated that she was not in a position to comment upon the statistics quoted but would respond direct to the Member concerned if he put the question in writing to her. The Head of Business Intelligence stated that the Centre for Cities Independent Report used a different methodology and therefore was not comparable to Medway’s statistics.

·         Appeals performance – A Member asked whether the level of upheld planning appeals was a direct response to the Council not having a Local Plan. In response, the Head of Planning advised that the level of upheld appeals in Medway at 21% fell well below the national average of 30%. 

·         Air Quality  - In response to a question as to action being taken to improve air quality in Medway, the Portfolio Holder advised that this issue was actively promoted by the Local Government Association but local authorities were dependent upon legislation to take action. She referred to the Council’s Air Quality Strategy and the work being undertaken to promote and educate the importance of air quality.

·         Illegal tobacco – The Portfolio Holder advised upon the work undertaken by officers to intercept the sale of illegal tobacco.

·         Income from markets – In response to a question about the income generated from markets, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that whilst Gillingham’s market was flourishing, the Strood market had required support through the offer of preferential rates. She advised that market traders determined which markets they attended based on commercial decisions. An independent market review had been commissioned to guide the future direction of Medway’s markets and the outcome of this was due in July 2019.

·         Loss of ATM’s in Rochester – A Member referred to the loss of a free use ATM in Rochester High Street and whilst noting that an ATM was available in the Visitor Information Centre and the Railway Station, he considered that being a major tourist destination, an 24 hour ATM machine should be available for use in the High Street so that people had access to cash during events such as the Farmers Market. In response, the Portfolio Holder assured the Member that she was happy to support any representations for provision of a free to use ATM in Rochester High Street.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            thanked the Portfolio Holder for attending the meeting and answering questions.

b)            noted that the Portfolio Holder was happy to investigate alternative uses of the ground floor units at the Innovation Studios Medway.

c)            requested that a briefing note be provided on the outcome of the Local Growth Fund bid for Britton Farm, Gillingham.

d)            noted that the final Medway Local Plan was anticipated to be ready in Spring 2020.

e)            noted that the Portfolio Holder had offered to support Members in any representations for a free to use ATM machine in Rochester High Street.