Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence; all Members were present.

Report CSD15053

Members considered a nomination put forward by Bromley Youth Council for one of its members, Miss Anna Begley, to attend Renewal and Recreation PDS meetings as a non-voting co-opted Member for the consideration of public reports only.

A warm welcome was extended to Miss Begley.

RESOLVED that Miss Anna Begley be appointed to the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee as a non-voting Co-opted Member for the current 2015/16 Municipal Year.

Councillor Payne declared personal interests in Items 10 (Town Centre Management Update Report) and Item 11 (Town Centres Development Programme Update) as he was:-

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

·  an Executive Member of The Salvation Army.

Councillor Morgan declared a personal interest as a Trustee of Bromley and Sheppard’s Colleges.

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 18 June 2015.

Oral questions were received from Mr Richard Gibbons of Warren Avenue, Orpington; these are outlined below, together with the Portfolio Holder’s response.

Question 1

If Bromley Council is successful in claiming ownership of ‘Old Flo’ later this year, will the Council honour its pledge not to sell the work, and if so where does it propose to display the sculpture for the benefit of the public, as Henry Moore intended? 

Portfolio Holder’s Response

The Council has no intention to sell ‘Old Flo’, subject to the High Court ruling; it is our intention to ensure that ‘Old Flo’ continues to be enjoyed by the public. Subject to the ruling we will be discussing options for the siting of ‘Old Flo’ with the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (its current location), the Museum of London and other London Councils.

Supplementary Question

'Old Flo' was originally sited in East London and regarded as part of the area’s heritage.  If the Council was successful in claiming ownership of  'Old Flo', would the sculpture be returned at any point to East London?

Portfolio Holder's Response

Yes, we would hope to exhibit 'Old Flo' in London and Bromley from time-to-time.

Question 2

For the avoidance of doubt, please confirm which of Bromley’s “museum collections” - archaeology, fine and decorative art, social history, and Lubbock - as currently described on the Council’s website are included within the term “local history exhibitions” referred to in item 10.3 on page 21 of R&R Portfolio Plan 2015/16?

Portfolio Holder’s Response

The Bromley Revisited exhibition will tell the story of Bromley’s past through the theme of innovation and creativity. The exhibition will display the most interesting and important objects in the collection, with the exception of the John Lubbock artefacts which will have their own dedicated space, thus incorporating all those areas referenced, archaeology, fine and decorative art, social history and Lubbock.

Supplementary Question

Given ongoing discussions concerning the merits of the Lubbock collection to the Borough, could reference be given to the collection in the Bromley Revisited exhibition?

Portfolio Holder's Response

There is no issue with the relevance of the Lubbock collection and as part of the Borough's heritage, it is my intention that it be displayed.

Question 3

What are the per annum running costs for the Museum Store in Orpington Priory Gardens - heat, light, power, rates, security, maintenance, etc. - for the past three years (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15); and what is being planned and considered for the store going forward?

Portfolio Holder’s Response

It has not been possible, within the timeframe of the question to determine the running costs of the Museum Store; however, I can confirm again what has been said on a number of occasions that the Museum Store will be remaining in its current location housing the collections. As such, the Council will continue to meet the costs of managing and maintaining the store.

Supplementary Question

Are store costs included in the new museum budget going forward?

Portfolio Holder's Response

Yes, however they are currently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

Minute 82c - Library Service Strategy - Update

Officers had completed what was recommended by Members at the previous meeting.

The closing date for expressions of interest for the Community Management of the six community libraries was Friday 26 June 2015.  The initial response had been encouraging with a wide range of interest being shown.  Ward Members had received information packs detailing the operating methods of the individual libraries within their Wards.

Discussions were currently taking place with the London Borough of Bexley to develop a joint procurement strategy for the Library Service.

A great deal of interest had been shown as a result of the soft market exercise that had been undertaken.  It was anticipated that a user consultation would be carried out sometime in July/August 2015. 

A special meeting of the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee would be held in October to consider the matter further.  In the meantime, officers would hold individual discussions with Members if requested.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There are no outstanding matters arising from previous meetings.

There were no matters arising from the previous meeting.

Report CSD15048

The programme of meetings was amended to include:-

•  the special R&R PDS meeting to be held in October 2015; and

•  reports on major schemes such as the Civic Centre and Crystal Palace Park.

RESOLVED that, subject to the amendments set out above, the work programme for the period September 2015-April 2016 be agreed.

(Report to follow)

Report DRR15/071

The Chairman deferred consideration of this item on the following grounds:-

•  Late submission of the report left Members with insufficient time to read and consider the contents.

•  In light of the information set out in paragraph 3.8, it would be premature to make a decision relating to the Investment Fund whilst ongoing discussions were taking place with regard to future funding.

Members agreed that having requested but not received details of Mytime's financial balances, it was difficult to comment without having access to historic information.  It was noted however, that the Council was required to make a decision on the Investment Fund by October 2015.

Although Members had been invited to attend an Openday with Mytime's officers and Board on 13 July, due to prior commitments some Members were unable to attend.  It was suggested that feedback from this event be given at the next meeting of the PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that consideration of this item be DEFERRED for the reasons given above and that the matter be considered at the special meeting of R&R PDS Committee in October.

Report FSD15039

Members considered the latest budget monitoring position for 2015/16 for the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio based on expenditure and activity levels up to 31 May 2015.  The total portfolio budget showed a projected underspend of £30k.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the latest 2015/16 budget projection for the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio.

Report FSD15038

Members considered the 2014/15 provisional outturn position for the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio which showed an underspend of £185k.

Members also considered the level of expenditure for projects within the Member Priority Initiatives.

Approval was sought for the drawdown of the carry forward sums of £60k and £40k held in central contingency, to be used to fund the preparation of the Borough’s Local Plan and the Noise Action Plan for Biggin Hill Airport.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:-

1)  endorse the 2014/15 provisional outturn for the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio;

2)  note the expenditure for the Renewal and Recreation projects within the Member Priority Initiatives; and

3)  approve the drawdown of the carry forward sums of £60k and £40k held in central contingency, to be used to fund the preparation of the Borough’s Local Plan and the Noise Action Plan for Biggin Hill Airport.

Report DRR15/067

The report outlined the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio Plan 2015/16 and described the new approach that had been adopted to improve the usefulness of the Plan.

The following updates were given in relation to the Plan:-

Aim 1, paragraph 1.2 (page 56) - The prominent plot of land (known as Opportunity Site B within the AAP), was a designated residential site for up to 70 units and would be marketed as such.  The site was currently being utilised as a storage depot for Bromley's improvement works. 

A development brief would be drafted outlining what would be acceptable and appropriate to build.  Members agreed that the site was an important gateway into Bromley and in this regard, recommended that the AAP stipulate the requirement for the design to be of good architectural merit. 

Performance Measures, paragraph 1.5 (page 58) - A Housing Zone Bid had been submitted and further clarification meetings were taking place with representatives of the GLA with a view to the full bid being considered by the GLA Housing Investment Team in September 2015.

Business Support Programme, paragraph 3.2 (page 62) – A legal grant agreement was currently being drawn up to cover a period of two years for the delivery by the Business Improvement District (Orpington 1^st) of the New Homes Bonus scheme.  Payment would only be made upon delivery of the agreed milestones.

Aim 5 – Business Growth Corridors (pages 64/65) – A number of posts had been recruited to develop the business investment and development plans for Biggin Hill and the Cray Business Corridor.  It was anticipated that this work would begin when the officers were in post in approximately 2-3 weeks’ time.  A further update would be reported at the PDS meeting in September.

Aim 7 – Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), (page 67) – The additional income expected from the Bromley CIL was not quantifiable as payment would be driven by applications of size and scale.  As with Section 106 Agreements, CIL reports would be submitted for consideration by E&R PDS Members.

Aim 8 – Planning Regulatory Functions (page 68) – The pre-application process required applicants to submit information in accordance with a detailed checklist.  In some cases, the requested information was omitted or officers required clarification and amendments which led to delays in determination.

The ‘other’ applications referred to in paragraph 8.1 (performance measures),  related to the determination of applications such as advertising, prior notifications, Certificates of Law and change of use etc.

It was agreed that whilst the report indicated the percentage of applications determined on target, future reports should also include response times for the remaining 40%.  It was also agreed that targets and achieved percentage rates for responding to TPO requests, Listed Building Orders and general enquiries be included in the Business Plan report.

Aim 11 – Enhance the Borough’s Leisure Facilities, paragraph 11.1 (page 74) – A 25 year management contract for the operation and management of the Churchill Theatre had been awarded to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8d

Report DRR15/045

Following endorsement by the Development Control Committee on 9 June 2015, Members were requested to consider the making of Article 4 Directions in relation to three areas of Bromley Town Centre on the basis that it was expedient to do so to avoid harmful impacts upon the local economy.

Members agreed that the issue of the Article 4 Directions was a sensible step to take.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:-

(1)  confirm the Article 4 Direction to remove the Permitted Development of Class J (now O) to come into effect on 1 August 2015 for the Bromley North Area as shown in the report;

(2)  confirm the Article 4 Direction to remove the Permitted Development of Class J (now O) to come into effect on 1 August 2015 for the London Road area as shown in the report;

(3)  confirm the Article 4 Direction to remove the Permitted Development of Class J (now O) to come into effect on 1 August 2015 for the Bromley South Area as shown in the report.

(Report to follow)

(Due to the possible disclosure of confidential information, this report will now be considered under the Exempt (Part 2) section of the meeting and is, therefore, unavailable for public viewing)

Due to the possible disclosure of confidential information, it was necessary for Members to consider this item as a Part 2 (Exempt) report.  The report was subsequently considered as Supplementary Item 15.

DRR15/065

Consideration was given to an update on Town Centre Management and business support activities occurring April to June 2015.  The report also summarised priorities for the period up to the end of September 2015.

Work would shortly be undertaken to replace leaking bins in the Market Square area with upgraded plastic containers.  With regard to the paved surface, the Council was hoping to purchase a mechanical scrubber to carry out a deep clean of the area as the protective resin which officers originally hoped to lay had not produced the required result when laid in White Hart Slip.  Repairs to the damaged tree planters situated in Market Square would also be rectified.

The public refuse containers in Beckenham were not fixed to the ground which resulted in them being knocked over or not straightened when emptied.  This matter was currently being looked at.

It was reported that some Ward Members were disappointed they had not been involved in the Local Parade Improvements scheme until later in the process thereby leaving them in the difficult position of having to deal with dubious schemes put forward by local groups.  Members were reminded that the original intention was for the Ward Councillors to lead on developing proposals, however the emphasis had shifted over time.  It was agreed therefore that for future bids to the scheme, Ward Members be included from the start of the process.

RESOLVED that the key developments and activities within the Town Centre Management and Business Support Team be noted.

DRR15/066

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

The following updates were given:-

Site G: West of the High Street, paragraph 3.2 (page 115) – Following a meeting with a range of local stakeholders, including the Friends of Site G, a design workshop had been scheduled for 21 July 2015.  Officers were meeting with the GLA to discuss issues around the Housing Zone Bid, the outcome of which would inform the meeting of developers.

Site C: Town Hall, paragraph 3.3 (page 115) – Whilst previous issues concerning Cathedral Group’s Town Hall proposal had been resolved, new issues concerning wheelchair access to the residential blocks had arisen.  There were also ongoing technical issues concerning the proposed design materials.  When all issues had been resolved, it was anticipated that the application would be submitted for consideration by Members of the DCC Committee either in July or September 2015.  A presentation by representatives of Cathedral Group to explain the rationale for the application would be held prior to the Committee meeting. 

Beckenham Major Scheme

An update on the outcome of discussions held with TfL on the revised scheme would be given at the Beckenham Town Centre Working Party meeting to be held at Beckenham Library on 2 July 2015 at 7.30 pm which all Members were invited to attend.  Residents were frustrated at the length of time taken to complete the scheme.  Officers anticipated this would be implemented by mid-2016.  A further update would be reported to the R&R PDS meeting in September.

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

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 18 March 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Report DRR15/069

Members considered the offers received following the marketing of Chislehurst Library, Red Hill, Chislehurst.

RESOLVED that Members’ views be referred to a meeting of the Executive on 15 July 2015.