Agenda and minutes

Councillor Payne declared personal interests in Item 7d (Town Centre Management Update Report), Item 8 (Town Centres Development Programme Update) and Item 14 (Site G - Revised Development Options), as he was:-

·  An Advisory Board Member of the Association of Town and City Managers; and

·  An Executive Member of The Salvation Army.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5 pm on Thursday 12 March 2015.

Written questions were received from Susan Sulis, Secretary, Community Care Protection Group, relating to the Orpington Priory Museum and Gardens.  A copy of the questions together with the Portfolio Holder’s responses can be viewed at Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

No questions were received.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There are no outstanding matters arising from previous meetings.

There were no matters arising from previous meetings.

Report CSD15040

The Chairman thanked Members and officers for their commitment throughout the Municipal year.

Members were informed that a number of reports relating to the Library Review would be submitted for consideration during the new cycle of meetings.

It was anticipated that the outcome of the further three month consultation in relation to the Priory Museum would be reported to the June meeting of the R&R PDS Committee before a decision was made by the Executive in July.

To tie-in with the proposals for public realm works in Bromley Town Centre, a Bromley Town Market report would be submitted in September 2015.

RESOLVED that, subject to the addition of the reports set out above,  the work programme for the new Municipal Year (June 2015-May 2016) be agreed.

Report DRR15/024

Following a meeting of the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee on 18 November 2014, the Portfolio Holder agreed the strategic approach in relation to proposals for the development of community managed libraries and agreed that market testing of the core library offer be carried out.  Officers were also authorised to undertake formal consultation with library users and staff on the agreed proposals.

The current report updated Members on the outcome of the completed formal consultation and provided further recommendations for the implementation of the Library Strategy.

The Chairman emphasised to members of the public that at the present time there was no proposal to close any of the libraries.  Legally, the Council was fulfilling its obligation to provide library services.  The current proposal related to the development of six community managed libraries and to identifying ways in which the buildings could be saved and the facilities improved. 

In response to correspondence received from Bromley Unite, the Chairman read out a statement which can be viewed at Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

The Chairman reported that libraries were community hubs which did more than just lend books and this was something the Council wished to continue by working in partnership with community groups and organisations. 

Referring to the vulnerability of the public sector equality duty at Mottingham, St Paul's Cray and Southborough, (para.6.6.2, page 78), one Member asked if these three libraries could be transferred into the core library service if the current proposals were not achieved and volunteers were not forthcoming.  The Head of Culture confirmed that the preferred option was for the Council to continue to provide a degree of support whilst allowing access to community management provision.  Sufficient time would be spent with groups to develop business plans for the long-term running of the libraries.

Counsel had advised there was no court guidance pertaining to a limit on travelling distance to libraries; this was a matter for the Council to decide.

Members were provided with a copy of an advertisement placed in local newspapers by the London Borough of Bexley seeking to procure community groups and organisations to manage libraries.  Bromley Council proposed to do the same.  A report on the outcome of this would be submitted for consideration in June (as opposed to July as stated in the report).

Visiting Ward Member for Mottingham, Councillor David Cartwright, thanked officers for providing a comprehensive report and for clarification of certain aspects in which he had concerns.  Councillor Cartwright stated that whilst this was not an easy situation, he understood that the Council was in a difficult financial situation.  Mottingham Library was a community hub which provided an essential service to residents and schoolchildren benefited immensely from the library's IT services.  Community events, activities for the elderly and a plethora of other professionally-run activities regularly took place.  There was significant doubt locally that a community managed library would work i.e. difficulty in finding volunteers and concerns around child protection.  Many residents felt they were given no alternative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97c

Report DRR15/025

The report contained an update on the activities of the Town Centre Management and Business Support Team and outlined the proposed Town Centre Management events and activities planned for the 2015/16 financial year.  Members’ approval was sought for utilisation of the Town Centre Management Initiative Fund to support Christmas lights funding and town centre events during the coming financial year.

A formal grant had been agreed with the Bromley BID Working Group.  The Group were required to show that each phase of the development of the BID had been completed satisfactorily.  An updating report, including a final Business Plan would be submitted to the PDS meeting in June.

An invitation was extended to Members to attend the Open Day for Businesses which would take place at the Churchill Theatre on 25 March 2015. 

Councillor Tickner reported residents’ disappointment that surrounding roads in Beckenham had not been closed for the switch on of the Christmas lights in 2014 and that the lantern procession had been rather disorganised.  This year's switch on would take place on 5 December and the possibility of road closures would be looked into.

In regard to the Local Parades Improvement Initiative Fund (para. 1.2, page 94), it was reported that Keston residents had hoped for a Christmas Tree in 2014 but were given lights instead.  Officers had worked with Keston Village Association in this regard but no suitable location could be found in which to plant a tree.  This year however, the Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support confirmed a memorial tree (not a Christmas Tree), would be planted along the verge of Heathfield Road in memory of a local resident.

Officers were congratulated on the success of the Bromley North Village public realm improvements which met the Council's aim of a vibrant and thriving night time economy. 

Members' attention was drawn to the development of the Purple Flag project which promoted improvements to safety in the evening economy in partnership with colleagues in Public Protection, licensed premises and other partners.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:-

1)  note the range of activities which took place during the last quarter of 2014/15;

(2)  note the amendments to the current Christmas lights policy;

(3)  agree that up to £27k be set aside from the Town Centre Initiatives Fund 2015/16 for use on Town Centre Christmas Lights schemes as set out in the report; and

(4)  agree the schedule of Town Centre Management events and activities for 2015/16 with a total net cost of £33k being funded from the Town Centre Initiative Fund.

Report DRR15/028

Members considered the progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development Programme.

Councillor Rutherford reported that the public meeting in relation to Site G held on 26 February 2015 was well attended and information was received positively by those in attendance.  People felt like they had been listened to.  Representations from the Bromley Civic Society as well as Marc Hume and the Portfolio Holder were given.  Smaller group meetings would take place as time progressed and local working parties would be set up alongside officer working parties.

The Chairman referred to the growth work resources for Biggin Hill and Cray Corridor (para. 3.23, page 105) and stated it was good to see that two development planners had been secured to take the project forward.

An updating report would be submitted to this Committee prior to being considered by Members of the Executive.

RESOLVED that progress on the delivery of the Town Centres Development Programme be noted.

Members considered the Chairman’s Annual Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee report for the year 2014/15.  This was previously provided to the Executive and Resources PDS Committee on 12 March 2015 and would subsequently be considered at a meeting of Full Council on 20 April 2015.

RESOLVED that the Chairman’s Annual Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee report for the year 2014/15 be approved.

Report DRR15/020

As a result of the expiry of the Exclusivity Agreement with ZhongRong International Group in relation to the development of a capital scheme on the top site of Crystal Palace Park, Members were asked to consider proposals for setting up a new form of governance and delivery plan for the park, bringing to fruition aspects of the Masterplan, realising capital receipts and creating revenue generating activity to enable a sustainable business model for a new form of governance.

In July 2014, Members agreed to contribute £160k capital receipts towards the Crystal Palace Park Improvement Scheme.  Following the completion of feasibility works, Members were updated on which projects would be delivered and it was confirmed that a £1.84m balance of funding from the GLA had been secured.

The Chairman acknowledged the importance of continuing with the Council's commitment to the restoration of Crystal Palace Park.

One Member was disappointed to note that conservation of the dinosaurs would cost £400k whilst works to restore the concert platform were considered to be unviable.  Members were informed that in terms of achieving the most from the budget, it had become necessary to reduce the proposed projects from nine to six.  It would cost approximately £100m to restore the park completely.

The current lease on the café would be terminated and a lease for the new premises would be tendered on the open market.  The new lessee would be responsible for future works to the café. 

RESOLVED that:-

1)  the expiry of the Exclusivity Agreement with ZhongRong International Group be noted;

2)  the exploration and development of a sustainable business plan for the establishment of an alternative management option for Crystal Palace Park be approved.  Progress made on the business planning work should be reported back to Members in the autumn of 2015, with an expected request to Members to proceed with the formation of a Trust or other not-for-profit management option;

3)  a contribution of up to £495k capital receipts and an addition to the capital programme for the development of an alternative management option and a capital scheme for the improvement of the park in line with the Masterplan, be agreed;

4)  it be approved in principal that capital receipts generated through the implementation of the Masterplan will be reinvested in the park, contributing to the development of a sustainable business plan for the park;

5)  the delivery of the six Crystal Palace Park Improvement Scheme projects at a total cost of £2.16m, subject to any necessary statutory consents, be approved;

6)  the confirmation of the £1.84m from the GLA (subject to formal confirmation on 10 March 2015), be noted;

7)  it be agreed that the £1.84m balance of funding from the GLA will not directly lead to a reduction in revenue funding for the park and that additional income from the café will be ring-fenced for the park; and

8)  the marketing of a new café lease be approved.  The lease for the new premises will be tendered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

The Chairman moved that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.