Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Grey, Reynolds, Jeal, and Stenhouse.

Councillor B Coleman declared his Personal Interest as a trustee of St George's Trust and Seachange Arts.

Councillor Wainwright declared his Personal Interest as a trustee of St George's Trust.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 20 February 2017 were confirmed.

There were no matters arising.

The Forward Plan was noted.

The Project Engineer from Norfolk County Council delivered a presentation on the consultation results.  It is envisioned that works to this area would start in September 2017. Thanks were given to the Project Engineer for attending this meeting.

Councillor Wainwright questioned the start time for these works, asking if this was realistic. The Project Engineer advised that he felt it was but that the finish dates for the works would be less easy to determine. Councillor Wainwright asked if the works would include the Vauxhall bridge. He was advised that £50,000 have already been allocated so that the Preservation Trust could progress a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Foundation to complete these works. Councillor Wainwright asked about works inside the Station and requested if an update for these had been given. No one at the meeting was aware of any update.

Councillor Hammond noted his concerns about Vauxhall House’s appearance.

Councillor Grant queried if the pedestrian bridge would be part of these works. This was confirmed as it falls within the works planned for Vauxhall Bridge.

RESOLVED : 

That the Project Engineer's report be noted and approval be given to the Great Yarmouth Rail Station to Market Place Improvement Plans progression to detail design with a view to a start of construction late Autumn 2017.

The Group Manager (Growth) presented an update regarding the Third River Crossing. This will be a £120M project. The compelling business case for this work was submitted to Government on the 30 March 2017. This project is to be considered as one of the top three Infrastructure projects in Norfolk.

The Chairman noted the committee’s thanks for all of those involved in bringing this project forwards.

The Group Manager (Growth) gave a presentation on the high level proposals regarding this work. Highways England are out to consultation, which will close on 21 April 2017.  As part of The Group Manager’s presentation he highlighted section 4 of the report, welcoming the proposed improvements and investment into the Vauxhall roundabout. As part of this section it was noted that work to try and bring forwards the right turn out of Asda was underway, as this would reduce current pressures on the Vauxhall roundabout. Concerns were raised about the proposed Toucan crossing with regards to safety of people using this.

With regard to Section 4.6 of the report it was noted that a review of the junction to Gapton Hall retail park needs to be considered as part of these proposals. Councillor Grant queried whether the junction could be moved so it went straight onto the A47 was being considered. It was confirmed that this was not being looked at. Councillor Grant also raised concerns about the lights on this roundabout not working and that any improvements should be tested to make sure these lights work. Councillor Wainwright further commented that the roundabout often works better when the lights are off.

In connection with Section 4.7 of the report, Councillor Wainwright raised an issue with the signage of the new road still not being in place, despite repeated requests and suggested a letter be written regarding this.

The Group Manager (Growth) referred to the suggested proposals for Blofield and North Burlingham, recommending that these should be supported.

Councillor Wainwright noted that there was limited reference to the Acle straight in the proposals and in particular wanted to know the cost of the recent improvements and what the actual works were. The Group Manager (Growth) advised that the Acle Straight was a high priority for the A47 Alliance and would be promoted in the next Regional Investment Strategy and that he would write to Highways England to ask them for the costs of the recent improvements. The Committee also felt that caution needs to be taken when considering any works near to the Acle Straight to ensure they do not prevent any future dualling of this road.

RESOLVED : 

That the Committee agree to support and provide comments on the proposals as part of the Consultation which ends on the 21 April 2017.

The Committee considered the Group Manager (Neighbourhoods and Communities) report on the Great Yarmouth Cultural Investment Programme.

The Group Manager (Neighbourhoods and Communities) presented some amendments to the recommendations which were highlighted on additional papers circulated.

The Chairman raised a query regarding the proposed number of Member representation to the Cultural Board. It was felt by Councillor Coleman that due to the Council’s current political balance there should be a representative from each of the main three political parties. This was agreed and that the nominations should be made at the next full Council meeting.

Councillor Hammond asked about the suggested funding for St Georges and Seachange Arts. The Group Manager (Neighbourhoods and Communities) stated that clarity around what the funding will be spent on would be detailed within the Service Level Agreements.

Councillor Wainwright clarified that Seachanges work covers 52 weeks of the year and noted the funding given to them by the Arts Council.

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods summarised that the recommendations in this report were a starting point, and that once these were agreed there would be further funding opportunities. 

RESOLVED :

(1) That the progress made to date towards the implementation of the Culture Strategy be noted.

(2) That the progress towards creating a sustainable business model for St Georges Theatre moving forwards be noted.

(3) That the successful grant award through the Great Place Scheme be noted.

(4)That approval be given to the budget allocations for 2017-18 as outlined in 3.2 of the Group Manager (Neighbourhoods and Communities) report.

a) St George's funding should be subject to Council being satisfied that a sustainable business model exists and expects to receive it in time to present it to the next Economic Development Committee.

 b) Seachange Funding to be subject to the development of a new Service Level Agreement to be presented to the next Economic Development Committee.

(5) That confirmation be given that representatives from each of the main political groups from the Committee be appointed to sit on the Cultural Board and that Council at its meeting on the 20 April be asked to agree these appointments.

This item was deferred to the next Committee meeting.

This item was deferred to the next Committee meeting.

The Committee considered the Transformation Programme Manager and Senior Business Adviser's report, and Members were asked to approve the recommendations regarding the Terms of Reference and the recommended grant awards proposed by the Sub Committee.

RESOLVED :

That approval be given to the terms of reference for the Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme subcommittee and the subcommittee recommendations for the awarding of grant funding to recent applicants of this scheme. 

RESOLVED :

" That under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined on paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act."

The Chairman gave thanks to Peel Ports for the tour of the Outer Harbour and for hosting the Committee's meeting.