Agenda item

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.

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.

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 in Chichester District and beyond – it would not be confined solely to the city’s residents and businesses; the Vision’s focus was broadly set on the city centre ie where people ate out, enjoyed leisure and social activities etc. It was suggested that specific mention of healthcare (including access by older people) should be included in the consultation document. The fact that there was not an overt reference to the need for extra hotel etc accommodation on page 17 (it had a brief mention on page 13) was noted but at this stage the emphasis was on principles and ideas – clearly, however, in order to realise one of the key themes of the Vision in its final form there was a need for many more bed-spaces and a new visitor economy strategy.

In reply to Mrs Hardwick’s question as to the reason for the limited partnership contributions to date (para 7.1 of the report) Mrs Shepherd explained that partners had been requested to contribute because it was not intended that the Vision should be solely a CDC project. Some partners felt that they would contribute once the Vision’s action plan was in place. West Sussex County Council and Chichester City Council (CCC) were intending to make financial contributions by providing for the city in some physical way rather than in supporting the production of the Vision document itself. Mr Dignum gave examples of some of the important actions already undertaken by CCC: the refurbishment of the Market Cross and the Council House, the provision of flower beds and the introduction of two city rangers.     

Decision   

At the end of the debate members voted unanimously on a show of hands to make the following resolutions.

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.