Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Robert Goddard – Thackray Williams Solicitors LLP, Robert Innes – Skills Funding Agency, Mary Manuel, LBB Head of Planning Strategy, Kevin Munnelly, LBB Town Centre Development and Jean Norton, Bromley Education Business Partnership.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

There were no matters arising

RESOLVED that the minutes be agreed.

Members of the Partnership gave an update around progress across the main themes of the Partnership.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support gave an update around Town Centre Development across the Borough.

Progress was continuing across the sites that made up the Bromley Town Centre Area Action Plan.  The Council had responded robustly to the challenge from Linden Homes/Network Rail in relation to the number of residential units that could be accommodated on Site A: Bromley North, and a hearing would be heard before the High Court on 31^st October 2011.  Further work was being undertaken at Site B: Tweedy Road seeking to develop a temporary parking area during the refurbishment of The Hill and the redevelopment of Westmoreland Multi-Storey Car Parks to support demand during the Christmas period.

The Land Group had been selected as the Council’s development partner in relation to Site C: the Old Town Hall, and had been granted a 6 month exclusivity agreement, expiring in November 2011, to allow them time to complete the work needed to support a full Planning and Listed Building Application.  The Land Group had recently entered into a joint venture arrangement with the Cathedral Group to undertake the development of the site, and a Specialist Heritage Architect team had been appointed.

Work was ongoing on the refurbishment of Site E: The Pavilion and would be completed in March 2012.  Howard Oldstein confirmed that the refurbished gym provision would be ready by January 2012.  Following a review of options at Site F: Civic Centre, refurbishment of the North Block was currently being undertaken to support more efficient use of the campus site and would be completed by spring 2012. 

Working with CB Richard Ellis, the Council was currently reviewing the development proposition for Site G, with a view to developing a high level master plan to attract a significant development partner.  Meetings had also taken place with a number of department store operators in relation to the Site.  The Chairman highlighted the importance of developing Site G to complement the existing retail offer in Bromley Town Centre.  Following procurement difficulties between Network Rail and their contractors, the target start date for refurbishment works at Site J: Bromley South was now November 2011, with step free access being implemented before the start of the London 2012 Olympics.

Cathedral Group, the Council’s development partner for Site K: Westmoreland Road Car Park had conducted a pre-application consultation over summer 2011 in Bromley Town Centre and initial feedback suggested the public reaction had been overwhelmingly positive.  A draft planning application was due to be submitted to the Council for landlord’s consent shortly.  Katy Woolcott confirmed that London Biggin Hill Airport was in talks with Cathedral Group to ensure that any over-flight issues were resolved in relation to the development.  Concerns were raised with regard to the number of car parking spaces on site, and Sam Parrett highlighted the potential to utilise parking provision at Bromley College campus for a park and ride scheme. 

A pre-application enquiry for a mixed use, hotel-led development had already been submitted by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support gave an update on the Invest Bromley event held on 20^th September 2011.  This event brought together private and public sector representatives to introduce and discuss major development opportunities in the Borough.  An Invest Bromley brochure had been produced and additional copies were available on request.  Peter Pledger underlined the need to identify Bromley’s ‘unique selling point’ as a development opportunity and also to clarify the type of investor the Borough wished to attract.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support gave an update around progress across the main Partnership themes of Town Centre Management and Business support in Quarter 2 2011/12.

In the second Quarter of 2011/12 the Town Centre Management Team had successfully delivered a range of summer events, including the Family Fun weekend in Beckenham and the Orpington Town Fete.  An outreach campaign had been undertaken to encourage increased business donations to Christmas lights across the 4 main town centres in the Borough following a reduction in Council funding.  Responses had been disappointing overall, however submissions to Round 1 of the Outer London Fund had been successful in respect of Bromley, Orpington and Penge Town Centres.  The projects funded would include purchase and installation of Christmas lights and Christmas events and marketing campaigns, and other activities such as support to independent businesses, installation of graphics to empty shop fronts and, a heritage trail for Bromley.  Work to develop the proposal around the possible introduction of a Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDS) in Orpington Town Centre continued, with part of the Outer London Fund funding granted to support BID feasibility and engagement for Orpington.

With regard to the public unrest across London in August 2011, up to 60 businesses in the Borough had suffered some damage or loss, with most of the damage centred on Bromley (particularly Bromley North), Beckenham, Orpington and the Nugent Retail Park.  Town Centre Managers had visited all the businesses in the 4 main town centres across the Borough and had provided support and information to businesses affected by the unrest.  Businesses were being encouraged to apply to the Riot Act Compensation Scheme and the charitable High Street Fund where appropriate.

Future activities for the Town Centre Management Team included the delivery of agreed projects for the Outer London Fund Round 1 and preparation and submission of bids for Round 2 by 14^th November 2011.  Following Councillor authorisation, it was proposed to launch a project to undertake detailed feasibility and business consultation on a potential BIDS for Orpington, working with businesses to develop a business plan and proposal which would be put to ballot during the 2012/13 financial year.  A programme of winter events would be delivered, including Christmas events in the 4 main town centres. 

The Business Support Team had undertaken a wide range of activities including supporting the delivery of the Invest Bromley event and the accompanying brochure, and the publication and promotion of the Explore Bromley Borough electronic visitor map and guide.  Two issues of the Bromley Business E-Bulletin had been published and officers had worked to encourage greater take up of the service.  Work had also been undertaken with Environmental Services and with businesses regarding the Chislehurst road bridge rebuild.

In the third quarter of 2011/12, work would continue on a number of activities delivered in Quarter 2.  In addition, the Business Support Team would work to develop and deliver Outer London Fund business support projects, including a business support scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3c

The Head of Town Centre Development and Business Support provided an update on bids being developed for the second round of the Outer London Fund. 

The deadline for submissions was 14^th November 2011 and the Chairman encouraged members of the Partnership to contact Martin Pinnell with any additional ideas to add to the bids.

RESOLVED the update be noted.

The Head of Planning Strategy provided an update on the development of the Local Development Framework.  Bromley's Core Strategy would be the overarching planning document within the Local Development Framework, and a consultation on the draft Core Strategy Issues document had been undertaken.  The consultation had closed in September 2011, and responses were being analysed and would be reported to the Council’s Development Control committee on 17^th November 2011. There would be future consultations as the Framework was developed and members of the Partnership were urged to register on the online consultation site.

The consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework had just closed and the Council had submitted a response.  Peter Pledger highlighted the role of London Biggin Hill airport in supporting future economic growth in the Borough.  Katy Woolcott confirmed that the airport would continue to work with Bromley Council, local residents and key stakeholders with regard to development across the site.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

The Chairman highlighted the success of the Invest Bromley Event and proposed that the opportunities offered by office/industrial property in the Borough be promoted in a similar event.  This was generally supported by members of the Partnership.

RESOLVED that the proposed event be supported.

a)  Update on Bromley/Orpington College merger – Sam Parrett (Bromley College)

b)  Apprenticeships in Bromley and South London – Peter Davies (National Apprenticeships Service)

c)  News Round

Members of the Partnership gave an update on a range of activities undertaken since the last meeting.

Learning and skills provision continued to be developed across the Borough. Sam Parrett confirmed that Bromley and Orpington Colleges had merged on 1^st August 2011, and there had been significant investment in development across both campuses. A review was currently being undertaken with a view to increase the higher education offer of the College, which would also include higher level apprenticeships. A community engagement strategy was also in development and the college was seeking to establish an Employer Forum to develop college provision in partnership with the needs of local businesses. Carol Arnfield reported that Bromley Adult Education College offered a range of courses that supported people into employment including counselling, ICT and complementary therapy. Recent courses had also been developed for English for Speakers of Other Languages students.

Peter Davies confirmed that there were currently over 1200 Bromley residents working in apprenticeships across London, with apprenticeships available in a wide range of industries including hair and beauty, IT and electrical and plumbing. The process of recruiting an apprentice was being simplified through use of a web-based matching service, and work was also being undertaken to support small employers to take on apprentices. The Bromley Education Business Partnership had just been awarded a contract to deliver a pre-apprenticeship programme and would be working with partners and employers to support young people into apprenticeships over the next 2 years. Katy Woolcott confirmed that 12 candidates were being identified to participate in an engineering apprenticeship at London Biggin Hill Airport from January 2012.

With regard to unemployment, 2.9% of Bromley’s working age population was currently claiming Jobseekers Allowance, with 5 wards showing higher unemployment than the national average. David Keogh confirmed that the Department of Work and Pensions had recently been restructured, which should support stronger working at a local level. Louisa Allen reported that the Reed Partnership had been awarded funding for a two year programme to tackle worklessness in families. Voluntary job clubs had also been set up in the Cotmandene Centre and the Mottingham Community and Learning Shop to support people into employment. Colin Maclean noted the role of volunteering in supporting people back into work and highlighted the need to consider how the voluntary and community sector could engage with the business community.

Businesses across the Borough continued to be impacted by the economic downturn and were working hard to retain skilled staff. New business start ups were steady and there was demand in the property market for small office suites and retail units. Businesses continued to find it difficult to secure finance and Rob Cundy reported an increase in the number of insolvencies in the Borough. With regard to upcoming events, the Glades Shopping Centre was working to encourage retailers to introduced longer opening hours during December 2011 to support the Christmas retail offer, and the Bromley Business Awards would be taking place at The Warren on Wednesday  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Dene Stuart asked members of the Partnership to provide their good news stories, events and initiatives to the News Shopper for inclusion in the ‘Talking Business’ supplement and weekly business e-mail.

RESOLVED the update be noted.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support was pleased to confirm that from 11^th December 2011, additional off-peak services would be provided between Bromley North Station and Grove Park Station, with a service provided every 20 minutes, as opposed to the current half hour service.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

4.00pm, Tuesday 10^th January 2012

4.00pm, Tuesday 24^th April 2012

4.00pm, Tuesday 10^th January 2012

4.00pm, Tuesday 24^th April 2012