43. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2005 were agreed.
44. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations at this stage.
45.
FORWARD PLAN
The Select Committee was advised about items of relevance which
were contained in the Forward Plan for the period March to June 2005.
46. SANDOWN BAY REGENERATION STRATEGY UPDATE
The Chairman welcomed stakeholders and 60 members of the public to the meeting and invited them to comment on the progress of the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy.
The Select Committee had previously consulted with stakeholders about the preparation of the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy at its meeting held on 1 April 2004 and had reviewed progress of the Strategy during a Member Workshop held on 2 December 2004. Members were informed that today’s meeting and presentation regarding the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy would form part of the Sandown Bay Regeneration Working Group’s consultation process.
The Select Committee was reminded that a report, completed by Arup Consultants in association with Pan Leisure Consulting Limited and Matrix Partnership, had been presented to the Executive and stakeholders at a meeting held on 14 January 2004. The Arup report had provided a foundation for the current Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy.
A number of achievements had resulted from the Arup report including:
· a raised profile for the Island
· regeneration projects
· an improved skills base
· a rural agenda.
It had not been possible to achieve Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Sandown Bay area from the Arup report due to changes in planning legislation, but funding had been generated for improvements to a number of local amenities from the Market Towns Initiative. The improvements included revetment lighting, cycleway improvements between Shanklin and Wroxall, landscaping to the Dinosaur Isle Museum and improved transport links to the Sandown and Shanklin train stations during the summer season. However, Members commented that the revetment lighting had still not been finished, although completion had now been promised by Easter 2005.
The Island had also achieved special policy status in the Draft South East Plan, which would enable an Area Action Plan to be produced as part of the Local Development Framework. It was envisaged that the Area Action Plan would assist with identifying viable development opportunities within the Sandown Bay area, which should encourage public and private investment in a quality tourism product, including holiday accommodation.
Consultation with the businesses and residents of the Sandown Bay area would help to focus on getting the priorities in the right order, building confidence by achieving some ‘quick wins’, and encouraging long-term investment. The Sandown Bay Working Group was encouraging public participation with suggestions for priorities, which would be put forward to the Sandown Bay Steering Group. The schedule of meetings for the Sandown Bay Working Group and the Steering Group was noted.
The Select Committee was informed that an important part of the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy was to complete a Hotel Sector Futures Study. The survey would specifically provide information about:
· The current accommodation stock and if it meets current market trends
· The policy implications regarding the Local Development Framework (still in draft)
· Specific regeneration sites ready for development
· Pro-actively encouraging hotel investment.
The study, which would be completed in June 2005, had been match-funded by the Isle of Wight Council and Tourism South East and would incorporate the whole Island. Current statistics showed that 70% of tourists who visited the Sandown Bay area, stayed in hotels and spent approximately £90 million per annum.
The aims and objectives of the Hotel Survey would be to create a longer season, providing year-round employment from a better quality tourist industry.
Another top priority project within the Strategy was Shanklin Theatre and Members were informed that the theatre was well placed within the Sandown Bay area to supply both residents and the tourist market. A Theatre Architect had been employed to advise how the theatre could best be brought up to date and 7 phases had been identified, which included new toilet facilities, dance studio and refurbished foyer, bar and administration areas. It was envisaged that work would be completed by the end of 2005.
The Select Committee also heard from the Council’s Countryside Officer, who advised that whilst the environment had been recognised in the Strategy, this could be developed further to safeguard the Island’s special features.
The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional lssues suggested that an environmental impact study for the whole Sandown Bay area should be completed prior to any development taking place, in order to identify sustainability given the environmental constraints of the Island. Members were concerned about the high cost of such a study and the further delay for the Strategy, although noted that this might prove to be the best way forward.
Invited stakeholders and members of the public commented that a general feeling of frustration existed locally due to lack of investment in past years. In addition, there were concerns regarding the current standard of infrastructure within the area, which would not currently complement ‘five-star’ hotel accommodation. Questions were also asked about the standard of retail development in the area as well as the provision of more litter bins, dog bins and action to address vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Members were also concerned about the current poor condition of Sandown Canoe Lake, which created a bad impression of the esplanade area.
The Select Committee and attendees were advised that although the Council’s budget was limited, all agencies could work together to improve the current poor condition of infrastructure and build confidence in order to attract investment from the private sector. A retail impact assessment, commissioned by Planning Services, encompassing the whole Island had just been completed by Drivers Jonas and each Island town had a plan to maintain viability. Members were informed that national chain stores had adversely affected the smaller Island retailers, whilst simultaneously increasing the amount of freight traffic to the Island. Stakeholders were also advised that an Island-wide Community Warden Scheme was due to commence in April 2005, which should assist with anti-social behaviour and vandalism issues.
In order to co-ordinate the various projects and focus bids for funding, it was proposed that a Project Officer should be employed. Isle of Wight Tourism and Tourism South East had each identified £20,000 and had approached the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership for match-funding (£40,000) for the post. If successful, the post would be full-time for two years.
Stakeholders from the business community were encouraged to work together with the Sandown Bay Regeneration Working Group to improve the current condition of facilities and infrastructure in the Sandown Bay area. Members noted that training opportunities called Quality Awareness Days were currently available for the business community, which were provided jointly by Isle of Wight Tourism, the Chamber of Commerce and the Isle of Wight College. The Tourism Development Plan emphasised the need to achieve two goals in order to encourage support from the private sector; Public Realm infrastructure and skills and training. A tourist trade exit strategy, for smaller business unable to adapt to the newer market trends, had been included within the Draft South East Plan, which should also provide opportunities to reinvest in the Island.
Other options to raise funds for the Sandown Bay area were discussed and included an increase in car parking charges for tourists in the area, perhaps by extending the season from Easter to October. Any extra funds obtained in this way could then be ring-fenced for upgrading the Sandown Bay area. Island residents could be offered an all-Island car parking permit for the year. Alternatively, the feasibility of congestion zone charges for the Island could be investigated.
ACTION TO
BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDERS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UK AND EU, REGIONAL
ISSUES AND TOURISM AND LEISURE AND THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT
SERVICES
a) That Councillor Miss Humby and Councillor Williams be confirmed as the Select Committee’s representatives on the Sandown Bay Regeneration Steering Group.
b) That the programme of meetings for both the Sandown Bay Regeneration Working Group and the Sandown Bay Regeneration Steering Group be noted.
c) The Select Committee supports the initiatives being explored by the Strategic Director for Environmental Services to appoint a Project Officer, on a two-year contract, to support the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy providing the additional funding of £40,000 was available from the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership.
d) A full environmental impact study be conducted as a priority within the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy area.
e) That initiatives should be explored to enable development and refurbishment of the Sandown Canoe Lake area as a priority within the Sandown Bay Regeneration Strategy.
ACTION
TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TOURISM AND LEISURE
To investigate why the work on the revetment lighting had not been completed to date and report back to the Select Committee on 14 April 2005.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF
ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
To write to local stakeholder organisations for nominations to the Sandown Bay Regeneration Steering Group.
CHAIRMAN