Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Grey, Pratt and Thirtle.

Councillor Hanton declared his Personal Interest in the item relating to the Great Yarmouth Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group in his capacity as a Member of the CCTV Campaign.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 9 January 2017 were confirmed.

There were no matters arising.

The Committee noted the contents of the Economic Development Forward Plan.

The Committee noted for information the minutes of the Great Yarmouth Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group held on the 25 January 2017. 

Councillor Wainwright sought clarification as to the Members who were appointed to the Steering Group.

Councillor Hanton expressed his concern in relation to the CCTV Cameras item within the minutes, the Director of Customer Services advised that following the meeting of the Transport of Infrastructure Steering Group this matter had now been referred to the Civil Parking Enforcement Board at Norfolk County Council to determine.

Some concern was raised in relation to on street parking and the monies that the Council had contributed alongside other authorities, it was pointed out that it was the view of Members that a % of these monies would be paid back into schemes such as the CCTV cameras. Councillor Walker suggested that a letter be sent to Norfolk County Council to express the concerns of the Council in relation to the lack of funding received for schemes such as the CCTV cameras within the Town Centre. Councillor Wainwright suggested that the letter also be sent to the Police Commissioner and Chief Constable  of Great Yarmouth Police.

RESOLVED :

(i) That the Committee note the minutes of the Great Yarmouth Transport and infrastructure Steering Group meeting held on the 25 January 2017.

(ii) That a letter be sent to Norfolk County Council, the Police Commissioner and Chief Constable of Great Yarmouth Police to raise the concerns of the Committee in relation to the lack of funding received for schemes such as the CCTV cameras within the Town Centre.

The Committee received and considered the Transformation Programme Managers report which presented a financial update regarding the cost of the Easter Fair alongside the income generated.

The Transformation Programme Manager reported that whilst the cost for 2017/18 could be reduced from £10,376 (2016/17 cost) to £5,648, there was an option to reduce this to a nil cost should the Guild take on the direct running of the fair from 2018.

Councillor Wainwright pointed out the need for the event to be a cost neutral event to the Council, reference was made to Paragraphs 2.3 and 2.5 within the report and asked in relation to the calculated cost of £8,857, the Transformation Manager advised that the Council would initially incur a cost of £8,857 due to the Council controlling measures such as Traffic Management, site preparation, medical cover and staff liaison, however this would be fully reimbursed through the Showmans Guild. 

RESOLVED :

That the Committee agree that Officers continue to work with the Guild to implement changes by Easter 2018.

The Committee considered the Group Manager Growths' report which provided Members with an update on current performance of the Economic Development Committee measures for the third quarter 2016/17 (Oct-Dec) where progress was assessed against targets which were set at the start of the financial year.

Councillor Wainwright asked whether associated costs could be provided to Members of the committee in relation to ED07 - Planning Appeals, he also asked in relation to ED17 % of increased footfall in Town Centre and how this measurement was measured, the Transformation Programme Manager advised that the Town Centre currently had one footfall counter but that a report was being taking forward to the Town Centre Initiative to look at improvements on this matter.

RESOLVED :

That all measures continue to be monitored during the next quarter.

The Transformation Programme Manager reminded Members that the Economic Development Committee at its meeting on the 7 September 2016 had endorsed Officers to submit a phase 1 application to the GO TRADE Interreg Funding, she advised that the Council had been successful in the phase 1 application process and had been awarded £150,000 of revenue funding which would be used to support animation and events for Market Traders.

The Transformation Manager advised that a stage 2 application would now been undertaken and that once complete this item would then be brought back to the Committee.

There were no Members of the Public in attendance at this meeting.