Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stenhouse and Wainwright.

There were no Declarations of Interest declared at this meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 7 September were confirmed.

The Chairman reported for information that the Borough Council had received notification that they had been unsuccessful in their bid application to the Coastal Community Fund.

The Group Manager, Growth provided Members with a presentation detailing the priority areas, projects, milestones and consultation timetable for the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Master Plan.

It was reported that a draft Masterplan would be issued to Officers for sensitivity checking and internal scrutiny on the 11 November 2016 and then taken to the Town Centre Initiative Member meeting before the draft Masterplan document sign-off scheduled for the Economic Development Committee in December. Members were advised that a two week public consultation would be held in January 2017 which would comprise of a major town centre stakeholder workshop and two manned exhibitions in Great Yarmouth Market Place. The Great Yarmouth Masterplan was anticipated to be completed  for February 2017.

Councillor Grant asked whether there were considerable changes expected as a result of the plan and that these would be deliverable. It was advised that although significant ideas had been suggested, these were subject to feasibility checks by the consultants, Carter Jonas.

Councillor Jeal suggested that Members of the Economic Development Committee have sight of the proposed plan, but he was advised that a final draft would be circulated to all Members at the next meeting.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee agree to hold a special meeting of the Economic Development Committee on the 19 December 2016 to consider the Masterplan.

The Committee received and considered the Transformation Programme Manager's report which provided Members with a summary of options to rent or buy a roller skating rink for use in the town centre and potentially other venues within the Borough.

The Group Manager, (Tourism and Communications) advised that the figures presented to Members would be subject to the procurement procedure.

The Chairman advised that Members had received a report by Councillor Walch which set out the costings for an ice skating / roller rink. Councillor Walch circulated the report to Members of the Committee.

Councillor Walch summarised the quotation to Members and stated that the quotation provided would be a guaranteed purchase for the Council for 14 years. The Chairman stated that the quotation report circulated had not followed the correct Council Procedures.

Councillor Grey stated that this facility would be a purchase for the Council for 14 years and that it would provide a guaranteed event for residents of the Borough for that time. Councillor Walker stated that he felt there were alternative ways to support residents within the Borough without the need for the Council to spend  £122,426 on this facility.

Councillor Williamson stated that there was a need for the Council to save money, and raised concern in relation to the necessity for correct procedures to be followed to ensure that the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy had been taken into account and that a business analysis had been undertaken.  

RESOLVED :

That no further action be taken on this matter.

The Committee received and noted the items contained within the Forward Plan for the Economic Development Committee.

The Assistant Conservation Officer provided Members with a brief presentation on the Cultural Heritage 'Wish you were here' conference, which will be held at St George's Theatre on Thursday 20 October.

The Chairman informed Members that items to be considered by the Committee would require the Committee's approval for items to be included in the Committee's Forward Plan.