CYNGOR TREF Y DRENEWYDD A LLANLLWCHAEARN NEWTOWN AND LLANLLWCHAIARN TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE REGENERATION COMMITTEE Wednesday 10 th February 2016 at 6.30 p.m. in the Glanhafren Market Hall (meeting room 2), High Street, Newtown, Powys. Minute Item Action 2015-16/95 1 ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: To record attendance and apologies for absence. Committee Members: Present: Cllr S Newham (Chair), Cllr J Thorp, Cllr R Clarke, Cllr L Woodward. Apologies for absence approved by Council: None. Other apologies for absence received: Cllr G Bowker, Cllr R Edwards (Mayor), Cllr P Hough, Cllr P Watkins. Other Committee Members not present: None. In attendance: E J Humphreys (Town Clerk). 96 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS: To receive declarations of interest from Members in accordance with Part III of the Local Government Act 2000, which established the Local Government Code of Conduct for Members. None. 97 3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: To receive members of the public who wish to address the Committee, in respect of any item of business included in the agenda. Any member of the public wishing to speak must notify the Town Clerk no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. None. 98 4 MINUTES OF MEETINGS: To approve and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Regeneration Committee 10 th February 2016 (paper 4 previously circulated). The minutes of the meeting were reviewed and approved with typographical corrections. Minutes Regeneration Committee 09-03-2016 DRAFT for Approval.docx Page 1 of 5
That the minutes of the Regeneration Committee 10 th February 2016 are approved and signed as a correct record, with typographical errors corrected. 99 5 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES FOR INFORMATION: To report for information purposes only, matters arising from the minutes of the meeting of the Regeneration Committee 10 th February 2016. 99.1 (86.2) Community Led Plan The Chair reported that Powys CC has allocated additional 3 days resources from its consultant to the Plan, with a view from the Steering Group that these are used for recruitment of support to Newtown Unlimited and to raise public awareness. 100 6 FINANCE: Financial Year 2015-16: to review, and resolve if desired, the Regeneration Committee budget year to date report (paper 6 previously circulated). Committee received and noted the Town Clerk s summary report of income & expenditure vs budget to month 11 (to 3 rd Mar 2016). 101 7 PROJECTS 2015-16 WORK STREAMS REPORTS: To report update(s) on Regeneration Committee current project(s) work stream(s) (paper 7 previously circulated). Committee received the officer s report updating on progress on the projects. 101.1 7.1 Traffic Road Signage Committee noted that purchase order has been placed with Powys CC and paid in advance, and work will commence at the earliest possible date. 101.2 7.2 Heritage Trail QR Codes and Plaques (paper 7.2 previously circulated) Committee noted the officer s report indicating that obtaining permission from listing building consent and individual owners may be complicated, recommending that committee reconsiders the project design and install plaques onto posts already position, together with draft design for committee approval. Committee asked officers to retrieve project definitions by way of refresh. continue retrieve The Chair reported interest from Mid Wales Food and Land Trust in a parallel scheme. Committee invites a representative of Mid Wales Food and Land Trust to the next meeting to discuss the project(s). Committee authorises the marketing officer to continue with existing project quick wins in small steps one at a time. Town Clerk to invite continue 101.3 7.3 Big Belly Bins Minutes Regeneration Committee 09-03-2016 DRAFT for Approval.docx Page 2 of 5
Committee noted the officer s report indicating bins were delivered and installed on Tuesday 8th March 2016 and will be handed over to Amenities Manager and Powys CC operations services on 16 th March. 101.4 7.4 Street Market feedback from Training Course Committee noted that the Markets Manager is 2 days into the course and embarked on a written assignment on markets marketing strategy, and that the Markets Manager will prepare a feedback report when further into the course. 102 8 STREET BANNERS: To receive, and resolve if desired, on costing for elements of the project (paper 8 previously circulated). Committee received officer s report indicating columns will be tested on the weekend of 12/13 th March together with likely costs (3 quotes received). Committee agreed that detail of banner content will be discussed separately with Officer, to obtain another quote, and to enquire Cllr P Watkins if her wishes to continue as lead. 103 9 TOURISM STRATEGY: To discuss, and resolve if desired, on items and work streams to be included in the strategy The Town Clerk circulated research background documents from Town Council s earlier consideration in 2014, reporting that here is no evidence of other progress. Committee asked the research tourism strategies elsewhere and prepare initial brief at next meeting. For future agenda office to arrange For next meeting 104 10 NEWTOWN TOURISM LEAFLET: to discuss, and resolve if desired, on items and work streams to be included in the leaflet Committee considered an update to the town tourism leaflet for 2016, the Chair agreed to assist prepare the content Committee wishes to add additional content around Walking in Newtown, Market Hall, Parke, Museums grouped in one heading, more information regarding Robert Owen, and the agrees that the Chair will assist preparing draft content. 105 11 NEWTOWN TOWN GUIDE: To discuss, and resolve if desired, on preparation and content for the Town Guide to be commissioned from Local Authority Publishing. Committee noted that commitment has been made to commission the guide but that page content is needed, and agreed to each prepare draft content for pages. Chair to progress Committee to progress 106 12 OTHER REGENERATION COMMITTEE WORK-STREAMS AND RESPONSIVE MATTERS: To update for information, and resolve if desired, on other work-steams of the committee: 106.1 12.1 Canal regeneration update The Chair reported attendance at meeting with the Board of Canal and River Trust in Cardiff at which the Minister was present, and that Town Council has written to the Board and to the Minister, explaining Town Minutes Regeneration Committee 09-03-2016 DRAFT for Approval.docx Page 3 of 5
Council s resolution of commitment to a canal restoration, and Council awaits contact from the Minister s senior officers. The Chair also reported that Chair and Cllr Hough met the Canal and River Trust and Heulwen Trust at Freestone Lock shortly to consider the practical work to be undertaken there in the near future. 106.2 12.2 Walking Newtown and Walkers are welcome update (paper 12.2) The Chair reported progress in support of Walking Newtown highlighting: Leaflet: Walking Newtown to apply for Community Fund Grant to assist with costs Website changes: in progress Walks Display Boards: funding by Town Council agreed with Walking Newtown Walkers Are Welcome: committee noted the comments by Walking Newtown that there is little to gain in their view and agreed to shelve the initiative for the time being Photograph at Vaynor Steps: to take place 19 th March after The Big Sweep. The Chair and Cllrs R Clarke, J Thorp and L Woodward agreed to attend. Committee notes the comments from Walking Newtown group and agrees to shelve the matter of Walkers are Welcome for the time being, and will take feedback from other communities in due course. 106.3 12.3 Tidy Newtown Week update The Chair reported arrangements for the three events on 18 th,, 19 th and 20 th March. 106.4 12.4 Telephone boxes update on request to BT for review of boxes across the town Committee noted the officer s report that BT have been contacted to request a review usage and to indicate those which could be retained, plans for refurbishment, and those which could be considered for removal, and that Committee awaits a reply. 106.5 12.5 Bridges update on request to PCC for visual improvements to the three bridges and a copy of the planned maintenance schedule Committee note that Powys CC has been contacted to request information from Powys CC on the schedule of last and next refurbishment and repainting, and the maintenance schedule for Longbridge, Dolerw Park Bridge and Halfpenny Bridge, and waits its reply. 106.6 12.6 Charter Market to report for information on changes by Powys CC to the terms for refuse collection. The Town Clerk reported for information on changes being made by Powys CC on procedures for trade waste collection, but without discussion with Town Council on transition arrangements and consideration of impact on the Charter Market and its traders. Minutes Regeneration Committee 09-03-2016 DRAFT for Approval.docx Page 4 of 5
Committee noted that the Markets Manager has protested to Powys CC Head of Service, County Councillor Joy Jones and Senior Officers, and awaits reply. 106.7 12.7 Pedestrian route from station to town concern raised by local tourism business (Cllr S Newham). The Chair reported representation from a local organisation that the pedestrian route marking from the station to the Town Centre is faded. Committee asks the Amenities Manager to consider ideas for making the route more obvious and report back. Town Clerk to Amenities Manager 107 13 TUESDAY CHARTER MARKET OPERATIONS: to report, and resolve if desired. No further discussion discussed at item 12.8 above. 108 14 CHAIRMAN S ANNOUNCEMENTS, ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING 108.1 a) Chairman: Date of next Regeneration Committee meeting Wednesday 13 th April 2016, 6.30 p.m. Meeting ended 8.05 p.m. Chair: Date: Minutes Regeneration Committee 09-03-2016 DRAFT for Approval.docx Page 5 of 5