Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Marie Gray and Pat Haughton, Peter McAnespie (Policy and Design Team Leader) and Louise Finch (Acting Head of Communications, Marketing and Tourism).

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest by any of the members of the Task Group in any of the meeting’s agenda items.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Town Centre Overview and Scrutiny Task Group held on 5 November 2009 (Minutes enclosed).

The minutes of the last meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group on Town Centre Vitality held on 5 November 2009 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Chair, subject to the correction of Minute 09.TCG.33 (Gateways into the Town Centre (Signage etc)) by the clarification that the Pavement Café Policy (referred to in the fifth proposed recommendation) was, in fact, introduced in December 2007. The Service Manager (Environment) confirmed that the policy was currently being reviewed by the Licensing Team and that Members would be consulted as part of the review.

The principal purpose of the meeting will be to consider issues around the number of vacant retail and commercial properties in the town centre.

The Task Group may wish to consider, amongst other factors, current policies on the promotion or enhancement of the appearance of empty premises: current practices on enforcement of statutory of discretionary obligations; and the encouragement of the refurbishment of empty flats above shops to assist increased residential usage within the town centre.

Simon Clark (Service Manager (Environment)) and Zoe Whiteside (Strategic Housing Services Manager) have been invited to attend the meeting, along with other Business Directorate Officers, to advise the Group of present policies and practices, and future plans.

There will be an opportunity to question the Officers and determine preliminary recommendations for assessment at a later stage.  The Group will also be able to raise any relevant licensing issues with the Service Manager (Environment).

The Chair reminded the Task Group that the primary purposes of the meeting was to consider issues around the number of vacant retail and commercial properties in the town centre.

The Chair welcomed in particular, Simon Clark (Service Manager Environment), Zoe Whiteside (Strategic Housing Services Manager) and Ian Aldred (Housing Enabling Manager) who had been invited to attend the meeting to advise Members on current policies and practices on the enforcement of statutory or discretionary obligations and the residential usage of town centre property.

(a)               Residential Usage of Vacant Property

Zoe Whiteside reminded the Task Group that the Strategic Housing Services Section was responsible for the strategic planning policies in relation to the provision of differing types of housing units across the whole of the Borough. Zoe referred to the money currently being invested in the Purchase and Repair scheme operated with Registered Served Landlords, under which the RSL’s aimed to provide a number of 2 and 3 bedroomed affordable housing units through the refurbishment of 13 or so empty properties in the Borough.

Zoe also referred to the general reluctance of RSL’s to invest in the conversion of empty properties or flats above retail premises in the town centre for residential use, principally because of the difficulties in attracting scarce funding and the potential future management problems. However, Adactus was currently planning to make available 8 flats at Halliwell Street in the town centre for social rented housing.

Simon Clark advised the Task Group of the reactive role of the Neighbourhoods Directorate in responding to complaints regarding empty properties in the Borough. Simon explained the processes adopted by the Directorate in contacting the owners of the properties to seek their intentions. The Directorate was currently involved in the examination of 46 vacant properties throughout the Borough (none of which were located in the town centre), including 13 properties currently being renovated under the Purchase and Repair scheme. Simon also referred to the provisions of Empty Property Management Orders, which sanctioned the local authority to assume the management of a property from the owner; repair the property and rent the property to an occupant. However, this measure imposed a future management role on the authority.

A member of the Task Group, whilst accepting the limited funding and resources available, considered that concerted efforts should be made to convert the flats and spaces above the large Victorian premises in the town centre to residential use, particularly as a means of providing affordable accommodation for young people. In response, Simon Clark intimated that the Neighbourhood Directorate could be willing to provide practical advice to owners of suitable properties wishing to convert empty space into residential units and Zoe Whiteside offered assistance in the marketing of the additional units provided.

(b)               Vacant Town Centre Properties

Conrad Heald (Town Centre and Markets Manager) circulated a note drawing attention to 10 retail or food businesses that had either recently opened, expanded or relocated to new premises in the town centre. The note indicated the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The Group’s instructions will be sought on the arrangements to be made for a suggested visit to the town centre of a similar local authority as part of the evidence gathering process.

Conrad Heald sought the Task Group’s instructions on a suggestion that the Group visit either Chesterfield or Macclesfield as part of the inquiry’s evidence gathering exercise. The Task Group would benefit by visiting and assessing one of the new development schemes currently being pursued in both towns.

It was AGREED that Conrad be requested to agree arrangements with the Chair for the Task Group’s visit to Macclesfield town centre on a suitable date in early January 2010.

The Task Group will need to agree the date of its next meeting.

It was AGREED that the next meeting of the Town Centre Task Group be held on Thursday, 14 January 2010 at 6.30pm to consider Market related issues.