The Member Services Officer opened the meeting and asked for nominations for the position of Chair.

Councillors Walch and Jeal were duly proposed and seconded.

RESOLVED :

That Councillor Walch be elected as Chair of the Yarmouth Area Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

Nominations were invited for the position of Vice-Chair.

Councillor Waters-Bunn and Mr Peter Fitzgerald were duly proposed and seconded.

The co-opted members who had served on the Committee for the 2015/16 Municipal Year were proposed en bloc to be reaffirmed as co-opted to the Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

County Councillor Castle proposed that Valerie Pettit be co-opted to the Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED :

(i) That Peter Fitzgerald be elected as Vice-Chair of the Yarmouth Area Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

(ii) That County Councillors Castle and Parkinson-Hare, Dr J Langley, Mrs J Langley, Mr M Blank, Mr P Fitzgerald, Mrs J Fitzgerald,Mrs L Le Picq and Mrs V Pettit be co-opted to the Yarmouth Area Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

It was noted that no apologies for absence had been received.

Councillor Waters-Bunn declared an Interest in Item 9 in her capacity as Chair of the People of North Yarmouth Community Association (PoNY).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 1 March 2016 were confirmed, subject to the following amendments :-

(i) Mr C Marsden be noted as a resident not GY East Committee.

(ii) Mrs V Petit be amended to Mrs V Pettit.

County Councillor Castle asked for an assurance in relation to item 10 that the Market traders were still to manage the six day market and not the Borough Council. The Chairman advised that he would be investigating the matter of the markets further and would be contacting the relevant Officer.

Peter Fitzgerald asked in relation to item 9, the Fountain Bar and reiterated his concerns, County Councillor Castle raised the previous issues of the Committee and stated that although the most of the Committee were supportive of the proposals there were elements of disapproval due to the lack of public toilet facilities. A further question was raised in relation to the Ice cream van and its lease. Councillor Jeal advised that a lease was held by St Georges Park and the ice cream van pays a fee for the pitch provided.

Councillor Bird asked how long a lease would be given to the new venture, and it was advised that this matter would be raised with the appropriate Officer. The Chairman also asked for confirmation of the proposed opening hours.

The Principal Conservation Manager provided Members with an updated overview of the proposals in relation to the Waterways/Boating Lake. He reported that a professional team had been appointed to work on the plans for the proposed restoration.

It was reported that a very successful public consultation had taken place, and that 171 written comments had been received on the proposed restoration.

Members were advised that the project would be due to start in Spring 2017.

The Assistant Conservation Manager reminded Members that the proposed restoration plans were displayed in the Town Hall reception.

Councillor Bird asked where it would be possible to generate income from the proposed restoration, and Darren Barker advised that it was hoped that the Boating Lake would have boats in operation once again and that the waterways cafe would be refurbished. A further question was raised in relation to the tender, and it was advised that this matter was still in the discussion stage.

Peter Fitzgerald asked whether the proposals would be geographically confined to the perimeter of the boating lake and waterways, and it was advised that a complimentary project for a full restoration of the Winter Gardens had been discussed and that it is hoped that the projects will begin a floral regeneration of the seafront.

The Committee were advised that a Coastal Communities Fund Bid of £1.3M had been allocated to the Waterways Project.

Councillor Jeal asked for an assurance that planting around the Boating Lake would not form part of the lease, and it was advised that this matter would be addressed by the appointed professional team.

The Principal Conservation Manager advised that it was hoped a year round programme of events and activities for the local community, residents and tourists would take place.

The Committee agreed that the Principal Conservation Manager and Assistant Conservation Manager be asked to attend the next meeting to give an updated report on the progression of the waterways/boating lake restoration.

County Councillor Castle reiterated the concerns that the Committee had raised at previous meetings and suggested that the Committee send their concerns to the Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group.

Councillor Robinson-Payne reported that she was dissatisfied with the lack of responses the Committee had received in relation to Roman Place.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee ask that this matter be referred the Great Yarmouth Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group.

Josie Fitzgerald, PoNY representative provided Members with a brief description of PoNY and an overview of the proposed boardwalk. She advised that the width of the Yarmouth North beach had doubled making it increasingly difficult for people to get to the waters' edge.

It was reported that following the public consultation at the Waterways on the 11 June 2016, PoNY had received 86 signatures in support of the proposals.

The Committee entered into a general debate and the following concerns were discussed :-

• Funding
• Public Liability
• Maintenance
• Location
• Pelican Crossing

Mr Langley, NY Resilience summarised his thoughts on the importance and need for a boardwalk at North Yarmouth.

RESOLVED :

That the report by PoNY be referred to the relevant Service Committee for decision.

It was noted that there was no other business determined by the Chairman as being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.