Agenda item

The Committee is requested to make the following recommendations:

1. That OSC receive the feedback from the review of the vision work and recommends to Cabinet that the Vision work continues to be supported as set out in section 5.1.

2. That the Cabinet Member for Property, Growth and Regeneration leads the High Street  Group for the City as a sub group of the Chichester Vision,  engaging and involving partners, the Chichester BID and  high street retailers as set out in section 5.1 to promote the recovery and transformation of the High Streets.

3. OSC recommends a member of the OSC committee to sit on the Chichester High Street Group to assist in the delivery of the High Street recovery and transformation.

4. That support for the High Street recovery and transformation in Midhurst, Petworth, Selsey and East wittering and Bracklesham is coordinated through the existing Vision Groups/ Town/Parish Councils.

Mrs Hotchkiss outlined the report.  Mrs Murphy and Mrs McKay were also in attendance.

Mr Bell, Cabinet member for Growth, Place and Regeneration was invited to address the Committee in support of the proposal.  He advised that he was in agreement to the inclusion of a representative from the Chichester Traders Market to sit on the Chichester High Street Group, as suggested by Mrs Sharp during the discussion of the previous item.

The Committee discussed the visions for Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth, Selsey and East Wittering and Bracklesham in turn and officers responded to members’ questions and comments:

·      With regard to student involvement they not specifically referenced but the College and University were represented on the Chichester Vision Steering Group.    Mrs Hotchkiss advised that there was no student representation on the High Street Recovery Group, but this was something that could be considered if required.

·      The Chairman referred to a paper received from Midhurst Vision concerning ‘Lets shape our future’ previously circulated to members and read out an email he had received since.   

·      Mrs O’Kelly, observing the meeting was invited to address the Committee.  She provided her comments on the report and an update on the Midhurst Vision.  Mrs Hotchkiss agreed to let each Vison have details of the names of the partners against their feedback.

·      Mr Johnson observing the meeting was invited to address the Committee. He wished to propose an amendment to recommendation 2.4, which the Chairman agreed to table on Mr Johnson’s behalf as follows:

1)  That support for the High Street recovery and transformation in Midhurst and Petworth is coordinated through the existing Vision Groups/Town/Parish Councils; and

2)  The support for the Peninsula will be coordinated by a group with similar Officer support to Chichester, but lead by a Member without Cabinet or similar responsibilities who can be perceived as having a singular focus. The resident population is nearly the same, but is greatly swollen by tourism. The A27 issues mean that it would be preferable if the four significant shopping areas (East Wittering, Bracklesham, High Street, Selsey & East Beach, Selsey) were used, providing they can collectively provide the vibrancy, appeal and diversity to encourage this.

However, during discussion of the proposal members agreed that the parishes affected should be consulted to seek their views on the proposal before a decision was taken and their response brought back to the Committee at a later stage.

On behalf of the Committee, Mr Potter commended officers on the work undertaken.

Later in the meeting it was confirmed that Mr Palmer would be the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s representative on the Chichester High Street Group.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommends:

1) That the Vision work continues to be supported as set out in section 5.1;

2) That the Cabinet Member for Property, Growth and Regeneration leads the High Street Group for the City as a sub group of the Chichester Vision, engaging and involving partners, the Chichester BID and high street retailers as set out in section 5.1 to support the recovery and transformation of the High Streets;

3) That Cllr Palmer sits on the Chichester High Street Group to assist in the delivery of the High Street recovery and transformation; and

4) That support for the High Street recovery and transformation in Midhurst,

     Petworth, Selsey and East wittering and Bracklesham is coordinated through the existing Vision Groups/ Town/Parish Councils.