An apology for absence was received from Mrs J Langley.

Councillor Waters-Bunn declared a personal interest in her capacity as chairman of PoNY.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 21 June 2016 were confirmed subject to the following amendments :-

Item 6  - be amended to "County Councillor Castle asked for an assurance that consideration be given to the Market Traders Association taking on the running of the 2/3 day outdoor market" - not the 6 day market.

Item 9 - the resolution be amended to "That  the Yarmouth Area Committee resolved to support this project and seek the necessary formal approval for PoNY to proceed via the new Council Committee system."

Councillor Jeal asked in relation to item 8, Roman Place, it was confirmed that this matter had been raised at the last meeting of the Transport and Infrastructure meeting.

The Committee received a presentation in relation to the Retroskate Artistic Roller Skating Club from Mr Steve Siegert. 

Mr Siegert provided Members with an overview as to the activities that are undertaken within the club and the progress that skaters have made both through the club and at national standards.

Mr Fitzgerald asked if a recruitment policy was in place, he was advised that the club have engagement with local schools and that engagement with local cub/scout and brownie/girl guide groups were currently being looked in to.

Mr Langley asked in relation to the ratio of skaters between girls and boys, it was reported that the majority of skaters were girls.

The Chairman asked the basic cost for a child to skate, Mr Siegert advised that a 2 hour lesson would cost £45 which would be paid for by parents, and that when a skater reaces competition standard  a pair of artistic roller skating boots would cost approximately £300 although it was pointed out that as a club used boots are recycled to be able to bring the cost down. It was reported that competition wear was completed by the club seamstresses which were mainly parents or grandparents of club members.

The Committee considered the report from the Principal Conservation Manager which provided Members with a summary update on the progress of the Venetian Waterways and Boating Lake.

The Chairman advised the Committee that due to the Principal Conservation Manager being unable to attend the meeting, any questions that were raised at the meeting would be passed on to the appropriate officer for a response.

County Councillor Castle asked for some clarity into the sustainability of the boating lake over the longer term, he made reference to the need for the Council to look into sustainable income options for example beach huts and asked "would the Council consider allocating beach huts onto the North Beach Boating Lake?" Mr J Langley agreed that there was a need for beach huts and suggested that a package could be created to include a parking concession and the use of public facilities.Councillor Jeal suggested that a proposal in relation to the Beach huts be sent forward to the Economic Development Committee 

Mr Fitzgerald raised concern in relation to the stagent water in light of the recent deceased fish within the boating lake, although he was advised that a temporary water pump had been allocated he felt that this matter required attention and asked "has there or will there be any consideration in relation to the stagent water?"

Councillor Hammond suggested a water fountain feature, although it was pointed out that the project proposals were to restore the Boating lake back to its original state in the 1920's.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the questions raised by the Committee be sent to the appropriate Officers for a response to be reported back at the next Committee meeting.

(2) That a proposal be sent to the Economic Development Committee in relation to the leasing of beach huts on the promenade.

Town Centre

The Chairman advised that he had received a question from County Councillor Castle in relation to the regeneration of Yarmouth Town Centre, and it was suggested that Mick Anderson of the Market traders Federation and Jonathon Newman of the Town Centre Partnership be asked to attend.

The Chairman advised that in relation to the 2/3 day market, that he had spoken with Mick Anderson, Market Federation Representative who had expressed that traders had felt quite deflated although noticeable improvements had now been made since new market management had been appointed. County Councillor Castle stated that he had also spoken with Mick Anderson and that traders had advised that they would like to be more involved with the market.

 County Councillor Castle made reference to the Town Centre Master Plan and suggested that a GYBC officer be invited to the next meeting of the Yarmouth Area Committee to present the proposals for the Town Centre.

Fountain Bar

The Chairman advised in relation to opening hours of the bar, these were as follows :-

08:30 am - 20:30 opening hours

09:00 - 17:00 for music

These times were valid until October 2018.

County Councillor Castle raised concern in relation to a previous question that had been raised by the Committee, in respect of the need for a toilet with a key facility that could be used by customers of the bar, he stated that it was hoped that there would at least be a mobile toilet facility for customers to use. 

Mr J Langley asked in relation to an adjoining site which was currently under construction, it was pointed out that this may have been in preparation for the 'Out There Festival'.

Mr Fitzgerald pointed out the need for a revenue stream to be built in to new enterprises such as the bar.

A question was raised in relation to the sale of alcohol at the fountain bar, although Councillor Robinson-Payne advised that a by law within the St Georges park enforced that no alcohol could be served within the park.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Committee agree that the following matters be raised by the Chairman and be reported back to the next Committee :-

   (i) The sale of alcohol within the Fountain Bar

   (ii) To assess  whether the adjacent construction is a permanent fixture

Mrs Fitzgerald provided Members of the Committee with an update in relation to the Boardwalk, North Beach, Great Yarmouth and the funding application which had been sent to Dudgeon.

The Chairman reported that he had spoken with the Corporate Governance Manager who had advised him to contact Paul Cheeseman, Employment & Skills Co-ordinator and Andy Dyson of Property Services, in relation to the Boardwalk, he advised that an email had been sent and that he was awaiting a response.

The Chairman reported that he had spoken with Kate Watts, Transformation Programme Manager to put forward a report to the Economic Development Committee in the event of Dudgeon rejecting the funding application.

Some concern was raised in relation to the length of time the process had taken and Members expressed the need for a prompt decision on this matter.

The Chairman suggested that the Committee put forward a proposal to the Policy and Resources Committee to request that the Yarmouth Area Committee's delivery of meetings be amended to a bi-monthly meeting cycle.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Committee agree to amend the current delivery structure of Committee Meetings to a bi-monthly meeting cycle subject to agreement from the Policy and Resources Committee.

(2) That the Committee agree to submit a proposal to the Policy and Resources Committee to request that the delivery of the Yarmouth Area Committee meetings be amended to a bi-monthly meeting cycle.

The Chairman asked for the Committees permission to undertake a survey of usage on a 42 space car park within the Beach Coach Station which he had been advised was designated for Council Staff.

Councillor Waters-Bunn advised Members of a SNAP meeting due to be held on Thursday 22 September at St Paul's Church. She also advised that PoNY were in the process of a fund bid for wheelchair access at Beaconsfield Park she reported that Tesco at Caister would be holding the funding bid and that customers would have to place a chip in the slot for PoNY to be able to win the successful bid.

County Councillor Castle stated the need for bus operators to provide a regular bus link via Pasteur Road to enable local people without cars to access shops and facilities out of town. Members expressed the view that it should be possible for at least one local route to be changed to be able to provide this link. Following a unanimous vote it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Local Bus Company.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Chairman undertake a survey on the usage of the 42 space car park located within the Beach Coach Station and report the finding back to the next Area Committee.

(2) That a letter be sent to the Local Bus Company to ask for a regular bus link via Pastuer Road to enable local people without cars access to shops and facilities out of town.