Agenda item

Councillor Wadham (Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Transport) and Councillor Mrs S.R Brock (Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism) will present a verbal report on the priorities for the forthcoming year in light of the Committee’s work programme.

(Work Programme attached)

Councillor Wadham presented the following priorities within the Transport and Sustainable Development Portfolio for the forthcoming year:-

Long Term Spatial Strategy - to meet the challenge of accommodating the growth in Exeter’s population as envisaged by the Government.  A response will be made to a further draft of the Regional Spatial Strategy, which is expected by the end of July; to bring forward the revised Local Development Framework Core Strategy by the year end and to continue working with East Devon District Council and Devon County Council to deliver our commitment to the New Growth Point.

Affordable Housing - to include an enhanced 35% standard and a lower threshold in the revised Local Development Core Strategy.

Climate Change - use the planning system to encourage developers to meet higher standards of construction and insulation and to raise the percentage of renewables and underpinning this work by close working between Planning and Building Control.

Environmental Enhancements - implementation of the Fore Street, Heavitree Enhancement this summer, working with Devon County Council. Continue to develop plans for the enhancement of Cowick Street; other work includes the completion of Paris Street/ Sidwell Street improvements and proposals for the re-paving of Martin’s Lane will be brought forward shortly. There will also be further consideration with the County Council on what other enhancements to secondary City Centre streets are justified.

Debenhams and the Bus Station Site - continue to develop high quality re-modelling of the exterior of the Debenhams tower to bring the site back into use as quickly as possible, as well as essential background work with preparation of a master plan for the Bus Station site to deliver a high quality bus interchange at the heart of the scheme.

Signing - continue working with Devon County Council to endorse the proposed new pedestrian signing system.

Demand Management - work with the County Council to limit growth in car traffic and improve reasonable air quality; maintain the focus on Park and Ride expansion, particularly on the A30 Western approach as well as continuing to support the Cycling Demonstration Town Project, Walking Strategy and TravelSmart project.

Civil Parking Enforcement - complete the transfer of the Traffic Warden function to the City Council, and continue to ensure the appropriate level of enforcement is maintained.

Councillor Wadham and the Director Economy and Development gave the following responses to Members’ questions -

• A review of the affordable housing threshold should have a positive effect on increasing affordable housing stocks.
• Regarding parking enforcement, it was important to ensure that the lines and signs were correct, and he had every confidence that the level of enforcement was appropriate. The Director added that a glitch in the software affecting the handheld recorders used to issue tickets had now been resolved. They would continue to draw the County Council’s attention to any incomplete signs and lines.
• The Director advised that a number of options on the future of the Bus Station site had been discussed with Stagecoach, including the possibility of seeking alternative sites for their engineering operations and for overnight bus parking.
• Sites in the vicinity of the A30 Western approach for a new Park and Ride have been identified and a number of suggestions were being explored.
• The Director stated that meeting the Council’s target for delivery of affordable housing in the coming year was likely to present a challenging target due to the current downturn in the building trade. Further discussions on applying affordable housing policy to smaller developments will be brought forward for consideration later in the year following the finalisation of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Councillor Mrs S R Brock presented the following priorities within the Economy and Tourism Portfolio for the forthcoming year:-

City Centre Regeneration - following on from the successful completion and launch of Princesshay,work will continue with Land Securities to deliver the re-modelling of the Debenhams building.  Background studies which will form the basis of the Master Plan for the Bus Station will continue. 

Street Markets - continue to develop the programme of markets including the weekly Farmer’s Market and range of other seasonal and visiting markets throughout the year, including a special Christmas Market.

Tourism Promotion - improve the Quay House visitor and information facility, bringing forward a package of measures to promote sustainable tourism.

Regenerating the Canal Basin - continue working on the Old Electricity Building site and progress the Maclaines site and 60 Haven Rd through Sutton Harbour and the creation of 14 Affordable Housing Units by Signpost.

Economic Development Strategy - to continue working closely with the Exeter & Heart of Devon Economic Partnership and contribute to the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

Science Park– to progress the Council’s foremost economic development commitment to develop the expansion of growth in science and technology, overseeing the completion of the master plan, the establishment of the Science Park Company and submission of a planning application by 2009.

Delivering other Employment Sites -working closely with landowners to release key sites in Exeter: support the expansion of the University being mindful of the impact on the local housing market.

Improving Skills - working with a range of partners to establish a successful Skills Board to improve the skills level of the workforce.

Review of the Arts Strategy - to oversee a refresh of the Arts Strategy with draft proposals being brought forward to Scrutiny Committee - Economy in September.

Property Portfolio - to continue to manage effectively the Council’s property portfolio, investing in the fabric and facilities of the Corn Exchange to underpin its growing popularity.

Councillor Mrs S R Brock and the Director Economy and Development gave the following responses to Members’ questions -

• Initial plans for the Debenhams tower include 94 flats with small retail outlets on the lower ground to first floor; there is no provision for office accommodation or any other leisure facility. A suggestion to let a portion of the retail outlets to green or independent traders would be for the developer to consider. The Director agreed that those involved were mindful of the need to ensure the quality of the end design. 
• The Director advised that the main focus for upgrading works at the Corn Exchange was a refurbishment of the toilet facilities and renewal of a more sustainable pellet boiler heating system over the next two financial years.

• The suggestion for a Fair-Trade Market was welcomed by Councillor Brock. (Councillor Martin in stating this also declared an interest as a member of Exeter City Council Fair Trade Steering Committee)

• A suggestion for some remuneration for small businesses allowing use of their toilet facilities might be a way forward for the shortfall of facilities at the Quay was noted.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the reports of the Portfolio Holders for the forthcoming year.

(Report circulated)