Chichester District Council
Issue

Issue - meetings

Chichester Vision - Approval of Draft Prior to Public Consultation

Meeting: 10/01/2017 - Cabinet (Item 310)

310 Approval of Draft Chichester Vision for Consultation pdf icon PDF 67 KB

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and to make the following resolutions:

 

(1)  That the consultation draft of the Chichester Vision be approved for public consultation.

 

(2)  That further funding of up to £15,000 be released from Council reserves to cover the final project delivery costs.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the consultation draft of the Chichester Vision be approved for public consultation.

 

(2)  That further funding of up to £15,000 be released from Council reserves to cover the final project delivery costs.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the agenda report and its appendix (the draft document Chichester Tomorrow … A Vision for Chichester (the Vision)) circulated with the agenda supplement appendix bundle (copies attached to the official minutes). The listed background papers were published in a separate agenda supplement which was available online only.

 

Mr Oates was in attendance for this item.

 

The report was introduced by Mr Dignum. The Vision was for Chichester District’s residents, workers, visitors and students. The production of the draft had involved in particular an extensive listening exercise through a variety of methods as well as a range of studies and research. The Vision’s aim was to establish a framework in which the essence of the past was protected while enhancing the city’s future vitality as the cultural capital of West Sussex, a place of learning and a leading retail and commercial centre. The key organisations and local authorities which served the city were united in agreement to adapt to change and direct their policies to enhance the city’s future. Consulting widely on the Vision was very important; this would take place between 30 January 2017 and 12 March 2017. The consultation draft would be available online with an accompanying questionnaire. There would be two public exhibitions. The consultation responses would be considered and the final version of the Vision will be prepared for adoption (in, it was hoped, late spring 2017) by CDC, West Sussex County Council, Chichester City Council and partner organisations and businesses. Citing many examples, he said that throughout the centuries the city had always embraced the inevitability of change in an innovative way. Change involved challenges but also opportunities eg currently within the city centre prime sites were emerging for new retail outlets, hotels, leisure and cultural attractions, affordable homes, and business space; enjoyment and enhancement of the city’s streets, public spaces heritage and cultural assets could be developed. Three major themes to define the Vision had been identified: An Accessible and Attractive City; A Vibrant and Growing Economy; A Leading Visitor Destination.

 

Mr Oates said that the key task for the Vision project was to ask and address how the future of Chichester city was to be conceived; it was thus far as aspirational vision. The Vision was a template against which to test a range of exciting concepts, ideas and projects. He summarised the process whereby the steering group and project partners would consider the consultation feedback and make appropriate revisions to the Vision document; substantial changes might require further work to be undertaken prior to adoption.    

 

During the discussion members commended the Vision draft document for its excellent and exciting quality; this was a very positive and a living document, which would evolve over time; its importance and relevance would be multifarious, for example in considering planning applications.

 

Mr Oates responded to members’ questions on points of detail. He advised for example that the consultation (which would be available on CDC’s website) would be publicised as widely as possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 310


Meeting: 05/07/2016 - Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 96)

96 Preparing a Vision for Chichester City pdf icon PDF 86 KB

The committee is requested to review the progress to date in preparing a Vision for Chichester City, to suggest any items for inclusion, and to make any recommendations with regard to the project work so far.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mr Oates explained some key points the Vision project hopes to address:

 

·       The impact of activities in and around the city centre

·       The reduction in footfall due to online retail.

·       Socialisation activities.

·       Underutilised city centre assets.

·       Employment and jobs.

 

The Vision will set out how the city of Chichester should look in 20 years’ time.

 

Mr Oates explained the importance of high level of analysis from the right type of research. So far there have been workshops and focus groups and satisfaction surveys. A public consultation will begin in September.

 

Mrs Shepherd added that the vision is a partnership project working with WSCC, the BID, Visit Chichester, Goodwood, the University of Chichester and Chichester College.

 

Members asked the following questions:

 

·       Why is there little reference about the need for overnight accommodation? There is a lack of accommodation in the city and during large events all accommodation is booked. There is a need for more overnight accommodation which will provide an increase in visitor spend. Tourism South East Research are considering options.

·       What is being done about the insufficient hotel accommodation? Within the city walls there is a 36 bed hotel. There are also two branded hotels. To attract hotel chains to the city there needs to be serious intent on increasing the value of the visitor economy. The city should attract people from a 50/60 mile radius for short breaks. More events are needed throughout the year.

·       How will access to the city be addressed? Stagecoach and Southern Railways are involved in project groups. The WSCC Road Space Audit will provide greater information on travel routes in and out of the city. It will also be important to consider how visitors will find their way around once they are in the city and how accessible the city is.

·       Will the final decision be taken by Cabinet or Council? A draft Vision will be considered at Cabinet before being approved Full Council.

·       Why is there no mention of the A27 impact? The vision is concerned with attracting people to the city. It is not possible to take into account the A27 at present as it is a changeable entity.

·       Can the need to develop a night time economy be clarified? The evening or night time economy could be bigger and better than it already is. There is a lack of linkage between large numbers of visitors to the theatre and visitors to the city. There are no jazz clubs, comedy clubs, concert halls or late meal eateries. There is also a lack of provision for students, although this does not have to mean a nightclub. Late night shopping is also a possibility. There are smaller centres than Chichester which are more vibrant.

·       Which towns and cities have Vision’s in place relevant to Chichester? Canterbury, Dorchester, Ipswich, Leeds, Sheffield, St Albans, Winchester, Worcester and York either have areas of similarity or strong Vision processes which Chichester can learn from.

·       How can we get more young people into the city given the lack  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96


 

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