Meeting documents

Members are reminded of the need to consider whether they have a disclosable pecuniary, prejudicial or other (personal) interest to declare in any items on this agenda.  Details of any interest must be declared at the start of the meeting or as soon as any interest becomes apparent during the meeting.  The attached form must also be completed. Any advice required should ideally be sought before the day of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Public questions of which due notice has been given and which are relevant to the business of the committee.

There were no Public Questions.

To approve as correct records and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on the 23^rd February, 2022.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings held on 23^rd February, 2022 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report of the Director (MC), (Reference 22/96).

The Head of Economic Development, Mr Alex Richards, introduced the report and outlined the background of the North Bay Masterplan (NBM).

He informed the Committee that the Capital Strategy Governance Board had in May 2021 agreed to a new masterplan for the North Bay area previously encompassed within the Sands Development. Subsequently, the Regeneration Service met with Members in June, 2021 to agree a scope for the NBM following which a consultancy firm, BDP, was chosen to develop the plan. After further scoping, a consultation was undertaken with local businesses, stakeholders, members of the public.

In summary, feedback from those consulted included that future improvements should include benefits to residents; for the development to complement the wider area of Scarborough Town; that the development should work as a holistic whole rather than being individual pieces; and that it builds on the area’s existing assets. From this BDP formed a vision based on the cultural heritage, nature, and sports that were identified as key strengths for the area.  BDP identified three key areas of focus, the Open Air Theatre which held potential for further expansion and improvement in areas of capacity, roof coverage for an extended season, food and drink, and green room facilities; new visitor attractions such as adventure sports and climbing, new family visitor attractions such as theme parks; and new visitor accommodation such as service departments, high quality hotel offerings, and camping facilities.

BDP’s proposal was shared with Members in February, 2022 where it was agreed that it should form the basis of further consultation with the public. The Consultation began on the 4^th March and included a website featuring a video presentation; a static display in the Alexandra Bowls Centre;  stakeholder engagement sessions with the Town Centre Team, the Chamber of Trade, the Civic Society, Students, site support groups, and local MP’s; and Better Borough volunteers facilitating face-to-face questionnaires.

Mr Richards summarised the consultations findings and reported that there was in excess of 700 responses that were yet to be fully analysed, however, there was general support for the types of activity and themes identified. He added that the analysis could bring forward new ideas. Such an analysis would be written into a report for Cabinet’s consideration in May. Based upon the feedback, recommendations would be made to Cabinet to finalise the NBM.

The Chair asked whether there was a proposed date for the adoption of the Masterplan, how much BDP had cost to the Council, and how similar the consultation responses were? Mr Richards responded that he hoped it would be completed and adopted by July, 2022; that the costings were in the region of £80,000; and that a preliminary understanding of responses revealed broad support of the themes and ideas such as covered entertainment and family attractions.

Cllr Broadbent praised the Parks staff for current state of the North Bay and Peasholm Park, and was encouraged by the tone of feedback. Further hoped that all aspects of the NBM would receive attention, as opposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a report of the Director (MC), (Reference 22/97), to be

supplemented by a presentation at the meeting.

The Chair introduced the item and welcomed the Head of Projects, Mr Chris Bourne, to the meeting.

Mr Bourne provided to Committee a presentation, summarised as follows:-

Ø  History of flooding: following the major flood events of 2002 and 2007, various investigations into causes and solutions were carried out. These studies confirmed flooding in Filey was caused by the complex interaction of overland flows from the catchment surrounding the town, the surface water runoff within the town, and the urban drainage system.

Ø  Project Steering Group: The solution to the flooding therefore needed a multi-agency approach. The Project Steering Group was set up to help the partnership working and included representatives from Scarborough Borough Council, Filey Town Council, North Yorkshire County Council, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, and the Filey Flood Working Group.

Ø  Overview: the solution was to construct a series of bunds and swales around the outskirts of Filey’s key locations. These were Parish Fields, Sycamore Avenue, and Wharfdale.

Ø  Land Ownerships: One of the greatest challenges to delivering the scheme was that SBC did not own the land needed to build the scheme, which took a long period of time to purchase.

Ø  Timeline: these projects were not quickly delivered and took from 2007 to 2021 to complete. Setting the schemes up, designing the scheme, approvals, and receiving funding took the majority of the time whereas the construction period was as small as 10% of the overall timeline.

Ø  Benefits realisation:

o   There were now new flood defences

o   Flooding reduced to 494 households

o   167 households moved from very significant risk to moderate or low

o   Additional funding to construct Environmental Enhancements

Ø  What went well:

o   Attracted significant external funding

o   Risks minimised with a staged approach

o   Improvements to disused long jump pit at Ebor Academy

o   Design unobtrusively blends into the surrounding rural landscape

Ø  Lessons Learned

o   Significant external funding required

o   Third party land difficult to acquire

o   Long period of time required to deliver the project

o   Complex planning requirements

o   Third party consent required

o   Covid pandemic related issues

o   Weather and ground conditions

Ø  Project issues:

o   Amendments to design

o   Excess cut and fill material retained on site

o   Storage areas designed to fall below Reservoirs Act

o   Developers constructed areas

o   Services diversions

Mr Bourne concluded his presentation and invited questions.

The Chair asked whether there would be any implications for future planning applications regarding hard standings and over paved areas due to their influence on flooding. Mr Bourne explained that planning requirements already existed in this regard and that as statutory consultee it was recommended that permeable pavement was used.

Cllr Cockerill endorsed the projects achievements but noted the length of time it took to complete the project had been long due to the various factors listed in Mr Bourne’s presentation. He also emphasised the benefits gained from the inclusion of local Councillors and residents into the scheme’s development. He recounted a resident’s story  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a report of the Director (LD), (Reference 22/98).

The Performance and Governance Officer, Sonya Daines presented this item.

The report gave an overview of Better Places & Brighter Futures Performance Report 2021/22 Quarter 3. She reported to Committee that services were broadly performing well, albeit with some exceptions.

Within the Better Places section the Critical Success Factors (CSF’s) had increased to 64.1%. Performance Indicators showed that areas performing well included

Ø  Kg of residual waste per household sent to landfill

Ø  Percent of household waste sent for recycling for composting

Ø  Estimated visitors (measured by pedestrian footfall) to Scarborough Town Centre

Conversely, the performance indicators shown as ‘at risk’ were:

Ø  HA5 – Total number of visiting vessels

Ø  OTC8 - Percent of recycling waste contamination rate

Ø  PL8 - Make a decision on whether to progress a enforcement case within a 20 day deadline

Ø  PL9 – Percent of planning appeals against refusals of planning applications

Within the Better Futures section the CSF’s had increased to 52.4%, although some projects had been delayed. Performance Indicators showed that areas performing well included:

Ø  Percent of Filey Brigg Caravan Park pitches that were occupied

Ø  Total number of Filey Brigg bookings

Ø  Total number of visits to Scarborough Borough off street car parks

Ø  Total number of outdoor leisure attractions visits/journeys

There were no performance indicators that were at risk or not performing well.

The Chair commented on contamination to recycling and was supportive of efforts to educate residents and visitors.

RESOLVED: that following consideration of the performance information, the Committee concurs with the report’s findings that the overall delivery of the Council’s Better Places and Better Futures had been assessed to be performing well or satisfactorily.

To consider the attached Work Programme and the most recent version of the Cabinet Forward Plan (reference 22/95).

The Assistant Democratic Services Officer presented the Committee’s current work programme (reference 22/95) for Members’ consideration, along with the most recent copy of the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Following a suggestion from the Chair, Members agreed to bring an update of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy to Committee on the 15^th June.

Members discussed further suggestions to review policies on housing used as B&B’s, second homes, and buy to lets and its impact on the community; review the visioning and branding for Scarborough; and review the feasibility project in respect to the Scarborough Fair.

Resolved:

1)    That the Climate Change Strategy be added to the Work Programme and scheduled for the 15^th June, 2022

2)    That further information be sought  from the responsible Officers in regards to bringing items on Bed & Breakfast (B&B), Second Home, and Holidays Let’s impact on the community; Scarborough branding; and the Scarborough Fair feasibility study to a future Committee