Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Coleman, Councillor Stenhouse, Mrs M Kikis, Mr A Carr and Mr A Smith.

There were no declarations of interest. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2017 were confirmed. 

The Chairman reported that he was concerned that members of the Partnership had not received details of meetings in the past and that work was being done to rectify this.

The Chairman explained that the Cultural Heritage Awareness Group meetings had stopped as it was felt that there was too much cross over between that and the Cultural Heritage Partnership meetings.

Councillor Williamson explained that phase one had now taken place and that phase two would include the seafront area.  Businesses were now being asked to place the link to the map on their websites or for partners links to be placed on the website for the map.  The map can be accessed by searching GY Map or GY Cultural Heritage Map on the internet there is also a form on the first page for businesses to complete to register their interest along with an email address to submit any comments about the maps to.

It was then reported that Tourism had arranged for people on Heritage walks to have access to QPR codes which give audio for certain sites and points on the route. It was also hoped that a QPR code could be placed at the train station to give access to the GY Map.  

The Chairman reported that the Cultural Board had not been put in place by April as had been hoped. One person from this partnership would be invited to be a representative on the board. Concern was expressed that grass roots local groups do not get input into a high level boards and it was suggested that artists and small businesses be members of the board. 

It was pointed out that if the Cultural Heritage Partnership was better attended this would allow more grass roots groups to have an input into the board. It was agreed that a representative would be appointed once the partnership were formally invited to appoint a representative to the board. 

 Through the Great Places scheme Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft had jointly been awarded £3/4m over two years.

The conference was titled 'That's Show Business: Entertainment in Seaside Towns'

The Partnership looked at the proposed programme for the conference detailing the speakers and topics that they would be covering.

It was agreed that a panel and questions session using the guest speakers be held at the end of the conference.

It was reported that the Hippodrome would be involved in Circus 250 and would liaise with the Library Service on any suitable links that they may both have. It was pointed out that the Hippodrome is one of only three working circuses in the world that have the ability to produce a water show. 

The Senior Strategic Planner reported that 2 years ago the Corporate Plan looked at the Council's direction including the Town Centre.  This concluded that there was a need to uplift the town centre and alternative ways in which to widen the town centre offer as not to be too reliant upon shopping.  Potential interventions may include the redesign of the market place and entertainment area to see if this was suitable. The link from the train station to the town centre had been looked at along with the area around Regent Street where there are high numbers of vacant shops which could be opened up for other leisure activities. Another area of concern was Hall Quay where the empty buildings were after the banks had moved.  A Partnership Board would be set up to include LEP, Police, College and NCC partners to help secure funding opportunities. The Town Centre Masterplan has already been promoted to a number of investors who may be interested in investing in Great Yarmouth.

It was reported that the Town Centre Master Plan was available on the Council website. It was agreed that Great Yarmouth needs a brand and that the Seafront and Town Centre shouldn't be seen as two separate things. 

The Chairman stated that he had read the report and felt that transport infrastructure was lacking in the report.  The Senior Strategic Planner informed the Partnership that Norfolk County Council and the Borough Council had considered a number of different layout options to allow busses to stop at the Market Place, however these were considered to be currently cost prohibitive.

It was pointed out that the Gapton Hall Retail Park had a detrimental impact on the Town Centre Retail offer.

The Chairman reported that the aim of the Civic Society was to improve the appearance of the town and help work on regeneration projects across the Borough.  The first public meeting would be held on 12th September 2017 at 7.30pm at Christchurch.  Membership would be £10 per person for the year or £12.00 for a couple living together.  Ann Edwards is a member of the working group. 

The Partnership were asked to write their email addresses on the signing in sheet so that their details could be entered onto the Council's system so that they would then be sent all future agenda's.

(i) Circus

It was reported that the Circus had a successful year last year and that they are now open at Easter, Summer, October and Christmas.

(ii) Civic Service to Commemorate Bombing of Gy Minster

Dr P Davis reported that a Civic Service would be held on Sunday 21st June 2019 at the Minster to commemorate the bombing of the Church.

(iii) Events

Create by the Coast - Sat 29 July 2-4pm Britannia Pier Entrance, Sat 12 August 2-4pm Gorleston Priory Gardens, Sat 26 Aug 2-4pm GY Minster. To book visit www.genevieverudd.com or hello@genevieverudd.com or 07749779723.

Maritime Festival - 9th - 10th September 2017

Out There Festival - 15th - 17th September 2017

Arts Event in Minster

Priory Gardens, Gorleston - Sunday 3 September 2017 Past Times Gardens.

Heritage Open Days - St Johns Church open for stain glass jar making and colouring.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 19 September 2017 at 2pm.