Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Katy Woolcott – London Biggin Hill Airport be appointed Vice-Chairman for the 2018/19 municipal year.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Vanessa Allen, Councillor Angela Page, Mike Lewis – Michael Rogers LLP, Liz Waghorn – Jobcentre Plus and Louise Wolsey – London South East Colleges.

Apologies had also been received from Robert Sargent – Acorn Group and Laura House attended on his behalf.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th March 2018 were agreed, and signed as a correct record. There were no matters arising.

Kevin Munnelly, LBB Head of Renewal provided an update on Town Centre Development across the borough.

Progress was continuing across the sites that made up the Bromley Town Centre Area Action Plan. The Public Realm Improvement Scheme in Bromley town centre was into its final phase of works between Marks and Spencer and Metro Bank. The market stalls would be relocated from the following week, and the whole scheme was due to be completed by the end of November 2018, ready for the Christmas trading period.

As of Friday 20^th July 2018, the London Borough of Bromley was consulting on a draft masterplan to support the development of a large site in Bromley town centre, which extended along the west side of the High Street from Bromley South station to the Churchill Theatre in the north. Members of the Partnership were encouraged to respond to the masterplan proposals which, once finalised, were expected to guide development on the site over the next 15 to 20 years. Full details of the proposals were available on the Council’s website www.bromley.gov.uk/Masterplan.

The six-week consultation would end on 31^st August 2018, following which the responses would be analysed and reported back to the council’s Development Control Committee and Executive for their consideration.

As part of a Growth Fund initiative, work was underway to improve broadband and connectivity around the Borough, including providing free Wi-Fi in town centres and industrial estates. Bids to deliver the project were currently being evaluated, and an update would be provided to the next meeting of the Bromley Economic Partnership.

Gary Hillman, Managing Director – N. Hillman & Sons, informed members that the company had successfully acquired The Royal Bell, 173-177 High Street, Bromley. A planning application had recently been submitted with proposals to develop a 5 star, 50-bed hotel to include a gym and pool in the basement, and restaurant and bar on the ground floor. It was hoped that as well as hosting weddings and events, local community groups would have the opportunity to use the function space and facilities.

RESOLVED that the update on the town centres development programme be noted.

Katie Ryde, LBB Planner, provided a written update informing members that the Draft Local Plan was still at the Examination stage. The Council was currently consulting on Main Modifications which had been agreed by the Council’s Executive earlier in the year. When the consultation finished on the 10^th August 2018, any responses would be sent to the Inspector for her consideration. The lnspector would take account of these in finalising her report, which the Council would then consider. There was no fixed timescale, but it was hoped that the Plan would be adopted in Autumn 2018.

RESOLVED that the update on the Local Plan be noted.

Lorraine McQuillan, LBB Town Centre Manager reported that the recent ballot to establish the Beckenham and Penge Business Improvement Districts had been successful, and it was expected that a BID Manager would be in post by September 2018. Work was also continuing on the Local Parades Improvement initiative, with further applications being received.

RESOLVED that the recent work around the Business Improvement Districts and Business Support in the 1^st quarter of 2018/19 be noted.

Updates are provided in the relevant sub sections.

Ms Katy Woolcott, London Biggin Hill Airport provided an update on developments at London Biggin Hill Airport. The building of a second hangar had now been completed. One side of the hangar was currently full and housing jets, but the office space was proving to be slower to let. Conversations were continuing with an MRO operator, who was an existing customer looking to substantially increase their footprint at the airport.

A business plan was being developed for the proposed London Biggin Hill Airport Hotel, and work was progressing for London South East Colleges to deliver the London Aerospace and Technical College.

Mr Dave Freeborn, Proctors informed members of the Partnership that sales of residential land, with and without planning permission, were currently good. No report had been received on the state of the Commercial property market.

Mr Colin Maclean, Community Links Bromley advised members that he had been in discussion with Ms Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1^st BID Company in regards to making a more coherent link in relation to corporate social responsibility. An update would be provided to the next meeting of the Bromley Economic Partnership.

No update was provided to the meeting.

Ms Marg Mayne, Mytime Active said that the company had been working with partners on key initiatives, including a scheme supporting older people to become more active and participate in social events. Further investment was being made into its leisure centres, with the refurbishment of swimming pool and changing rooms at The Pavilion, Bromley, and an area of the Spa in Beckenham being brought back into to use for rehabilitation.

Mr Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken informed members that the banking industry continued to be buoyant.

Mr Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group said that the letting of serviced office space continued to be going well, and a new 9,000 sq. ft. space would be opening in October 2018. It was suggested that a Town Centre Forum could be established for some ‘blue-sky thinking’, looking forward ten to fifteen years and consider what would be required in town centres.

Reverend Agnita Oyawale, Bromley Town Centre Chaplain informed members that she offered a service to business in Bromley as a ‘listening ear’. She was happy to be of help, and could be contacted via the Facebook page ‘Bromley Town Centre Chaplaincy’.

Mr Alex Henderson, Henderson Biomedical advised members that the manufacturing operation of the company had recently been sold, but the servicing side continued to perform well. The servicing company had now employed some of the manufacturing staff members, and the manufacturing space had been successfully rented. Mr Henderson notified members of a European Union funded initiative called the Building Legacies Fund, to which his company had recently signed up. It offered access to free workshops and business support, and further information could be obtained from https://buildinglegacies.co.uk/.

Mr Chandra Sharma attended the meeting representing the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Mr Sharma informed members that part of his role was to provide networking events and lobby Government on behalf of small businesses, and work would continue to support business hubs.

Ms Helen McIntosh FCIPR, South East London Chamber of Commerce informed members that the Chamber, which now covered the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, would be celebrating its 130^th anniversary the following year. Members were invited to attend the next Bromley Breakfast Meeting at the Bromley Court Hotel, at which Henrietta Nowne, U+I Group PLC would be presenting an update on the St Mark’s Square development. The latest Masthead publication had recently been dispatched, and Ms McIntosh highlighted a feature on page 8, regarding The Royal Bell acquisition by N. Hillman & Sons.

Ms Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1^st BID Company advised members of recent events that had taken place in the new Market Square. These included a big screen showing the Wimbledon tennis tournament, and a free screening of the film Mamma Mia! The promotion of the film screening had been carried out via social media and 350 tickets had been sold. Residents had requested more of these types of events, which highlighted that the public space was for the whole community. Work had continued with the Bromley  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5e

Members of the Partnership considered the forward rolling work programme for the Bromley Economic Partnership for 2018/19.

In considering the next meeting of the Partnership, the Chairman asked for members to send any suggestions for future agenda items to Matthew Smallwood-Conway, LBB Project Support Officer.

The Chairman thanked Reverend Steve Varney on behalf of the Partnership for hosting the meeting at St Mark’s Church. Thanks were also extended to Henrietta Nowne, U+I Group PLC for providing a tour of the St Mark’s Square development to members in advance of the meeting.

4.00pm, Tuesday 16^th October 2018

4.00pm, Tuesday 15^th January 2019

4.00pm, Tuesday 2^nd April 2019

4.00pm, Tuesday 16^th October 2018

4.00pm, Tuesday 15^th January 2019

4.00pm, Tuesday 2^nd April 2019