Agenda item

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendix and to make the proposed resolutions set out below:

(1)  That the Delivery Action Plan for the Chichester City Centre Vision as set out in appendix 1 to the agenda report be approved.

(2)  That the continuation of the Chichester Vision Steering Group in overseeing the implementation of the Delivery Action Plan be approved.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the Delivery Action Plan for the Chichester City Centre Vision as set out in appendix 1 to the agenda report be approved.

(2)  That the continuation of the Chichester Vision Steering Group in overseeing the implementation of the Delivery Action Plan be approved.

The Cabinet received and considered the agenda report and its appendix.

The report was presented by Mr Dignum.

Mr Oates was in attendance for this item.

In seeking the Cabinet’s approval of the Delivery Action Plan and oversight of its implementationby the ChichesterVisionSteeringGroup, Mr Dignum said that the final text for theVisiondocumenthad been approvedby the Vision SteeringGroupmembers inJune 2017and then formally approvedby the Council on 25 July2017. With document designcompleted,the Vision was now readyfor publication.It would be a principalguidefor allthreelocalauthoritiesand thekey organisationsinChichesterwhen setting resourceplansand consideringsignificantissuesand proposalsaffecting thecity centre.To providethe leadershipand governance, itwas proposedthat theexistingSteeringGroupwould fulfilthe roleof ChichesterCityVision DeliverySteeringGroup.

Key projectswithinthe Visionthat would requireclosepartnershipworkingwithWSCC hadbeen identifiedintheChichesterGrowth Dealand wouldbe monitoredby the proposedGrowth Board.Other actions to deliver the Vision would be prioritized in thedelivery action plan (appendix 1) with aschedule of theproposed initialprojects andactivities. The Cabinet’s approval of the plan was sought but it might well be subject to change after discussion with CDC’s partners on the Steering Group. At its next meeting the SteeringGroup would agree the priorities for the coming year having regard to the available resources and the costs of the proposed projects.

With the Growth Deal’s four large projects each contributing to the realisation of the Vision, the Vision Steering Group’s focus would be on much smaller projects which shared the objective of making the city more attractive to users of all ages, namely residents, visitors, workers and students. Those projects included improved wayfinding, more cycle racks and benches, refurbishment of the Priory Park buildings and an improved tourism offer.

Mr Dignum said that as part of the 2018-2019 budget preparation he would propose that a sum should be allocated for use by all of Chichester District’s Visions, including Selsey, Midhurst and Petworth, as well as Chichester. The Chichester Vision projects might also benefit from Chichester City Council’s share of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Mr Oates did not wish to add to Mr Dignum’s introduction.

During the discussion members expressed their satisfaction with Mr Dignum’s proposal that there should be a fund available for the use by all of Chichester District’s other visions. It was important to avoid or address any perception of a solely Chichester-centric Vision.

In reply to Mr Connor who queried having a vision for the southern peninsula rather than just Selsey, Mrs Shepherd explained that visions were suited and designed for major towns and there were limited resources available. It was for parishes to lead the way with these visions and CDC was keen to work with parish councils, as it was doing with Chichester City Council (CCC) on the Chichester Vision. She was arranging meetings with parish councils to facilitate this process.

Mr Dignum added that in the case of the Chichester Vision, the major funder was CCC, which had 15% of the Community Infrastructure Levy receipts (these were now being collected at an appreciable rate).  

Decision

The Cabinet voted on a show of hands unanimously in favour of the making the resolution set out below.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the Delivery Action Plan for the Chichester City Centre Vision as set out in appendix 1 to the agenda report be approved.

(2)  That the continuation of the Chichester Vision Steering Group in overseeing the implementation of the Delivery Action Plan be approved.