Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting(s).

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and the Council’s Code of Conduct regarding disclosable pecuniary and other interests.

·         Check if there is an item of business on this agenda in which the member or other relevant person has a disclosable pecuniary or the disclosable interest.

·         Check that the interest has been notified to the Monitoring Officer (in writing) and entred in the Register (if not this must be done within 28 days).

·         Disclose the interest at the meeting (in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct) and in the absence of dispensation to speck and/or vote, withdraw from any consideration of the item where appropriate.  If the interest is non-pecuniary you may be able to stay in the room, take part and vote.

Cllr J Orrell declared a non pecuniary interest in respect of Weymouth Peninsula Regeneration Scheme.  He advised members that he was a member of the Weymouth Area Development Trust.

30 minutes will be set aside to allow members of the public to ask questions relating to the work of the Council.  3 minutes will be allowed per speaker. The order of speakers is at the discretion of the Chair and is normally taken in the order of agenda items, questions must relate to a report which is on the agenda for consideration.  Notice is not required if you wish to speak at the meeting but if you require an answer to a question it is asdvisable to submit this in advance by contacting a member of the Democratic Services team or alternatively, by emailing kcritchel@dorset.gov.uk.

Mr Farn addressed the committee regarding the 70K rebate from Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP).  What was it being spent on?  He asked the regarding current position of the play area at the Marsh and about the numbers of police officers and Community Safety Accreditation scheme in the area.

In response Cllr Wheller advised that the play area had been delayed due to contaminated land issues.  However the installation would now begin and was back on track.  In respect to the DWP, the committee were advised that the monies would be put back into the general reserves.

Mr Say, Director of the Pavilion, addressed the committee regarding the Peninsular proposed development.  He advised that he supported the proposal in principal, but had concerns regarding the provision of hotels so close to the pavilion site.  This may cause issues with noise nuisance in the future. He also questioned whether there would be enough parking available for customers.

Mr West, Weyforward addressed the committee regarding the comments from the local community.  He asked members to reconsider as so many of the public could not support this proposal. He indicated that those members that were driving the project were not listening or communicating with the public.Mr West further suggested that 1022 people voted online for the community's shared vision. He asked councillors to think again and work with the local community.  He also referred to the 95 objections on the planning portal received to date. The Chair advised that public engagement had taken place and as representatives of the whole community, members noted Mr West comments.

Mr Burt spoke to  members on regarding the public enquires about the repair of the costs to the old ferry terminal in relation the Peninsular report. He reminded the committee that financial viability was a material consideration and in his view, if the council agreed to the report, it would be in breach of part E of the constitution.

Mr Whatley advised the that the walkways along the Esplanade were still uneven and in a poor state of repair.  He indicated the enforcement officers should be on the Esplanade and expressed concern regarding the lighting on the promenade, which had still not been fixed. He requested a written response to this and he question from the last meeting of Management Committee.

Mr Ferguson spoke to the committee regarding why the signposting was still directing the public to the Ferry Terminal.  He also asked about the plans for hotels on the Peninsular and in his view these were not required.

To receive questions from Councillors in accordance with procedure rule 12.

Cllr I Bruce advised that he supported the peninsular proposal but had one concern regarding the car parking.  This he felt had not been properly addressed and the Council needed to ensure that there was suitable income generated from the car parking on the development site and that there was enough available. If this was to be a successful all year leisure site enough parking needed to be created.

To consider a report of the Strategic Director.

The committee considered a report of the Strategic Director which updated members on progress with the regeneration of the Weymouth Peninsula site and sought support, in principle, for the next phase of works. Including detail on the necessary borrowing to facilitate delivery of the first phase of the project.

Members were advised that a similar report had been received and considered by the Harbour Management Board and the Management Committee was asked to make a recommendation to Full Council, as the Statutory Harbour Authority and decision making body.

The Strategic Director provided background to the scheme and noted that officers had worked with advisors at Cushman and Wakefield in order to test and refine the business case for the Peninsula regeneration.  The proposal for a leisure led development had been submitted for outline planning permission and therefore it was noted that the fine detail of the design had not yet been undertaken and that the final layout was also subject to amendment. 

The Strategic Director also provided an overview of the business case and highlighted that phase 1 which was being considered at this meeting, included a hotel, pub/diner, café, public realm and infrastructure works, harbourside improvements, a public walkway around the Peninsula and the replacement of Harbour Wall "D".  Delivery of phase 1 would set out a clear statement of intent and build market confidence in the site in order to progress phase 2 to include the delivery of leisure units and restaurants. 

The Strategic Director advised the committee that in considering the recommendation the Harbour Management Board agreed the following amendment. " (e) That the scheme be delivered under the auspices of the SHA to include key elements of operational harbour improvements and public walkway/cycleway around the Peninsula, to be undertaken within phase 1".

It was suggested by the Chair that this amendment should be added to the report recommendations and this was agreed by all members.

The committee considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion the following points were raised:

·                The committee was keen to see the development progress and the report represented a major step forward.

·                The provision of additional all year round and wet weather facilities was welcomed. Although there was some disappointment that this would not be part of phase one, the majority of the committee accepted the reasons behind this proposal.

·                There was a request that the comments expressed in at the Harbour Management Board and this meeting be referred to in the decision report to Full Council.

·                The committee was keen that the public access and cycleway be included in phrase one of the project.

·                It was suggested that in phase two, officers investigate whether a decked/muli-storey car park was desirable.

·                A point was made to ensure that a proper public transport interchange be developed at the railway station, to include bus service and cycle provision.  This would support less car parking space requirements on the peninsular.

·                Members acknowledged that the council would need to rely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To consider a report of the Financial Resources Manager.

That the changes to the treasury portfolio be noted.

The committee received an update on treasury management activity and performance for the 2017/18 financial year.

Decision

That the changes to the treasury portfolio be noted.

To consider the Management Committee Action Plan including an update on crime community safety.

The committee received and noted the Management Committee Action Plan and Brief holders took the opportunity to update members on outstanding actions.

These included:-

·         In response to concerns, the Brief holder for Community Safety advised that a report around vulnerable people including rough sleeps would be considered by Scrutiny and Performance Committee at its next meeting. However the Brief holder reminded members that this issue should not be considered as a community safety issue in isolation, but a cross cutting matter across many services. 

·         The Brief holder for Corporate Affairs and Continuous Improvement advised the committee that the new Weymouth Town Council Town Clerk had been appointment and details would be announced shortly.  A Shadow Committee would be established with 7 members to carry out the work required to prepare for the creation of the new town council.

·         The new Dorset Council Chief Executive post had been appointed subject to confirmed at the next Shadow Dorset Council meeting on 27 September.  The Shadow Executive Committee had agreed the process for the 2^nd tier appointments and it was hoped that this process would be completed by November. 

·         Work was continuing in respect of first phase flood defence.

·         Town Centre Signage would be in place for the new season.

·         An updated on the progress of the Arts Project was received.

·         The cost of complementary car park passes – anticipated date of delivery to be deferred to December 2018.

·         In response to ongoing concerns members requested an update on street patrols, enforcement and local policing an its next meeting.

To consider any items of business which the Chair has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be specified in the minutes.

There was no urgent business.

To consider the 4 monthly Forward Plan.

Decision

That the four monthly forward plan be received and noted.

Appendix 3 – Exempt.

Members received and noted the exempt appendix in connection with minute 48 above.