Agenda item

Report DRR16/061

Members considered the draft Renewal and Recreation Portfolio Plan for 2016/17 which identified the Portfolio’s key priority and outlined aims to facilitate the delivery of the three strategic outcomes required to deliver that priority.

Consideration was also given to the current status of all contracts for the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio with a whole life value greater than £50k.

The Portfolio Holder listed a number of projects which the Council was anxious to bring to conclusion including:-

·  Improvements to High Street, Bromley;

·  Site G;

·  Bromley Valley Gymnastics Centre, Chipperfield Road;

·  The Priory, Orpington;

·  Anerley Town Hall;

·  Chislehurst Library Project;

·  Civic Centre Project;

·  Department Store in Bromley;

·  Sites A, B and K of the Area Action Plan; and

·  Southborough Lane and Beckenham Libraries.

Members requested a review of the Portfolio Plan 2015/16 be submitted to the meeting of the Committee in September, including details on which projects had been achieved and how far each target had been met.

Members sought clarification on the timeframe for determining major/minor applications within the Planning Section.  Non-determination within the time specified could leave the Council open to compensation claims.  It was agreed that the Chief Planner be invited to attend the next meeting to explain the current process.

It was also agreed that the Portfolio Plan include a section on Planning Enforcement, incorporating figures for the number of complaints received and the time taken to investigate and take action. 

Referring to site B (corner of Tweedy Road and London Road), (page 50), it was noted that a previous planning application was refused on appeal.  The Planning Inspector had issued a statement requiring any future application to be of a very high quality design.  The Head of Renewal confirmed that Design Guidance was sent out with marketing material.  Members’ views and the Planning Inspector’s letter would be taken into consideration of any bid.

Referring to page 53, Aim 3 – Orpington, visiting Ward Member Councillor Huntington-Thresher was unclear as to what a development capacity study consisted of.  The aim was to try to set a context as to what developers could take forward as and when properties came onto the market.  Councillor Huntington-Thresher requested an SPD for Orpington be included in Aim 3 as it was important to have a strategy with some formal standing.  The Head of Renewal confirmed that was one approach that could be taken and indicated that a masterplan for Orpington had previously been prepared but had not formally been adopted.  He confirmed that he would discuss this matter with the Chief Planner.

The Executive Director of Environment and Community Services agreed to report back with further details of the delivery risk in regard to the relocation of local history exhibitions to Central Library (Aim 10.3, page 62).

The New Homes Bonus Scheme consisted of four elements of which the improvement of shop fronts was one.  Various units in Penge Town Centre had been identified for shop front improvements for which funding had been secured.  A further update on all four elements of the New Homes Bonus Scheme would be submitted to the PDS meeting in September 2016.

Councillor Jefferies requested an update on the protection of trees be submitted to the PDS meeting in September 2016.

Correction:- the End date for the Cleaning of Libraries contract (page 69) was amended to read 31.03.17.

It was confirmed that despite the contract end date for the Crystal Palace Park Regeneration Plan referred to ‘Stage 1’, this was purely a ‘one-off’ fixed contract.  Any further contracts would be undertaken separately.

No further work was anticipated following expiry of the contract for the Crystal Palace Park – Sphinxes and Terrace Steps conservation.

The Beckenham Public Realm Improvements contract had been extended and work was progressing within the existing budget.  TfL had demanded several changes be made to the original scheme.  Further updates would be reported to Members when available.

The end date for all Library contracts were fixed for the same date to coincide with the outsourcing of the library service.  Should outsourcing being delayed, the expiry dates of the contracts would be extended.

It was suggested that a more detailed contract register report, complete with RAG analysis and comments from the Commissioning Group, be submitted more frequently throughout the year for consideration.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree (subject to any amendments/additions outlined above), the draft Renewal and Recreation Portfolio Plan 2016/17 and note the contract summary for Renewal and Recreation.