To be moved by Councillor Guthrie McKie and seconded by Councillor Barbara Grahame:
This Council notes with regret, the continuing delays to the Futures Plan for Church Street. Phase 1 of the plan was voted on by residents and is now over 1 year behind schedule. A number of factors have contributed to this delay, including a loss of staff during reorganisation at City Hall, indecision on Cosway Street development. But the most serious impact has been the delay to the rehousing of residents at Penn House. These are elderly residents who need greater urgency in dealing with their housing needs.
The Council has said it will proceed with Phase 2 of the Futures Plan without carrying out a consultation programme. This has caused concern in the community as to the motives of the Council and the developers. Residents and retailers have a vital stake in this development.
We call on the Leader of the Council to give greater urgency to the Futures Plan for Church Street and to implement decisions agreed by residents. We further call on a full consultation programme with residents and retailers on Phase 2 of the plan.
Minutes:
The Minority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion as set out on the agenda. The Notice of Motion was moved by Councillor Guthrie McKie and seconded by Councillor Barbara Grahame.
Councillor Daniel Astaire moved and it was seconded by Councillor Susie Burbridge that the Notice of Motion be amended as follows:
Delete all after "This Council notes with regret, the continuing delays to the Futures Plan for Church Street. Phase 1 of the plan was voted on by residents and is" and add:
"an ambitious regeneration project to improve the quality and number of homes in the Church Street area as well as deliver community facilities, infrastructure and greening.
Whilst unfortunate, a number of factors have contributed to this delay, including delays caused by the discovery of infrastructure on site and the need to work around the requirements of utility companies, which has been lengthy and costly. Nevertheless, plans are ongoing. As a result of the regeneration to the area, the elderly residents of Penn House are to be rehoused into new 1 bedroomed self-contained flats, replacing outmoded bedsits. This will be at Lisson Arches and also provide much needed business space
Moving forward with the implementation and extension of the Futures Plan will involve a new phase of community engagement, in which residents and businesses will continue to have a voice in shaping the proposals. The Council is developing with its partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors further tools to engage with all stakeholders, including extending the membership of the Futures Steering Group and working closely with the Neighbourhood Forum.
During the current fiscal year planning consent will be sought for the new development at Luton Street where residents have had a strong voice in the design process and design has begun on the Green Spine running from Lisson Street to Fisherton Street. The team to deliver the Neighbourhood Keepers programme has been appointed and work has begun on further design work to accelerate the delivery of new homes. New homes have now been delivered in Orchardson Street, again where residents led the design process. Options are being considered for Cosway Street to deliver a significant number of new homes that benefit the community.
This is an ambitious, complex and lengthy programme that the Council is committed to delivering in in partnership with residents. The engagement and project management team is well resourced and making progress on all outstanding projects.
We ask that the Full Council endorses the on-going commitment of resident engagement to supporting implementation of the regeneration work in Church Street which is a process requiring careful consideration of all options to ensure that we make best use of public money and that proper governance and transparency in decision making is in place with the relevant Cabinet Members."
During the course of his reply Councillor Guthrie McKie accepted the amendment moved by Councillor Astaire and seconded by Councillor Susie Burbridge.
The Lord Mayor put the Notice of Motion, as amended to the vote, and on a show of hands declared the Notice of Motion, as amended, to be AGREED.
RESOLVED: That this Council notes with regret the continuing delays to the Future Policy Plan for Church Street Phase 1 of the plan was voted on by residents and is an ambitious regeneration project to improve the quality and number of homes in the Church Street area as well as deliver community facilities, infrastructure and greening.
Whilst unfortunate, a number of factors have contributed to this delay, including delays caused by the discovery of infrastructure on site and the need to work around the requirements of utility companies, which has been lengthy and costly. Nevertheless, plans are ongoing. As a result of the regeneration to the area, the elderly residents of Penn House are to be rehoused into new 1 bedroomed self-contained flats, replacing outmoded bedsits. This will be at Lisson Arches and also provide much needed business space
Moving forward with the implementation and extension of the Futures Plan will involve a new phase of community engagement, in which residents and businesses will continue to have a voice in shaping the proposals. The Council is developing with its partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors further tools to engage with all stakeholders, including extending the membership of the Futures Steering Group and working closely with the Neighbourhood Forum.
During the current fiscal year planning consent will be sought for the new development at Luton Street where residents have had a strong voice in the design process and design has begun on the Green Spine running from Lisson Street to Fisherton Street. The team to deliver the Neighbourhood Keepers programme has been appointed and work has begun on further design work to accelerate the delivery of new homes. New homes have now been delivered in Orchardson Street, again where residents led the design process. Options are being considered for Cosway Street to deliver a significant number of new homes that benefit the community.
This is an ambitious, complex and lengthy programme that the Council is committed to delivering in in partnership with residents. The engagement and project management team is well resourced and making progress on all outstanding projects.
We ask that the Full Council endorses the on-going commitment of resident engagement to supporting implementation of the regeneration work in Church Street which is a process requiring careful consideration of all options to ensure that we make best use of public money and that proper governance and transparency in decision making is in place with the relevant Cabinet Members.