Policy and Project Advisory Board - Wednesday, 8th June, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting - live link below

Contact: Administrator, Adele Taylor  Tel. (01252) 398831, Email.  adele.taylor@rushmoor.gov.uk

Link: Click here for the livestream

Items
No. Item

1.

APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMEN

To appoint the two Vice-Chairmen of the Board for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That Cllrs Jessica Auton and P.I.C. Crerar be appointed Vice-Chairmen for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

2.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 131 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26th January, 2022 (copy attached).

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

3.

APPOINTMENTS TO GROUPS 2022/23

(1)      Progress Group

 

To appoint the Membership of the Progress Group.  Membership of the Group includes the Chair and Vice-Chairmen of the Policy and Project Advisory Board and one representative from each of the opposition parties appointed to the Policy and Project Advisory Board.

 

(2)      Transformation Task and Finish Group

 

To appoint the Membership of the Transformation Task and Finish Group. Required Membership is as follows: 

 

·      Cabinet Member with responsibility for Customer Experience, Digital and Transformation

·      Chairman or Vice-Chairman of Policy and Project Advisory Board. 

 

(3)      Elections Group

 

To appoint the Membership of the Elections Group. Required Membership is as follows:

 

·      Cabinet Member with responsibility for Electoral Issues

·      Chairman of Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee

·      Chairman or Vice- Chairman of Policy and Project Advisory Board

 

All three groups will be politically balanced and final nominations from the political groups will be available at the meeting.

Minutes:

(1)      Progress Group

 

RESOLVED: That the following members be appointed to serve on the Policy and Project Advisory Board Progress Group for the 2022/23 Municipal Year:

 

PPAB Chairman

Cllr Marina Munro

PPAB Vice-Chairmen

Cllr Jessica Auton

Cllr P.I.C. Crerar

Conservative Group

Cllr Peace Essien-Igodifo

Labour Group

Cllr Jules Crossley

Cllr M.J. Roberts

Liberal Democrat Group

Cllr Craig Card

 

(2)      Transformation Task and Finish Group

 

RESOLVED: That the following members be appointed to serve on the Transformation Task and Finish Group for the 2022/23 Municipal Year:

 

PPAB Chairman

Cllr Marina Munro

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Customer Experience, Digital and Transformation

Cllr J.B. Canty

Conservative Group

Cllr Ade Adeola

Cllr P.J. Cullum

Labour Group

Cllr Jules Crossley

Cllr Sophie Porter

Liberal Democrat Group

Cllr Craig Card

 

(3)      Elections Group

 

RESOLVED: That the following members be appointed to serve on the Elections Group for the 2022/23 Municipal Year:

 

PPAB Vice-Chairman

Cllr P.I.C. Crerar

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Electoral Issues

Cllr Sue Carter

Chairman of Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee

Cllr P.J. Cullum

Conservative Group

Cllr C.J. Stewart

Labour Group

Cllr K. Dibble

Cllr Clive Grattan

Liberal Democrat Group

Cllr Thomas Mitchell

 

4.

FARNBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE STRATEGY - UPDATE pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To receive an update from representatives of David Lock Associates on the progress of the Farnborough Town Centre Strategy.

Minutes:

The Board welcomed Karen Edwards, Executive Director and Val Conway, Development Consultant and Rukaiya Umaru, Senior Development Surveyor/Planner, David Lock Associates (DLA).

 

Mrs Edwards, advised that following the meeting held with the Board at the end of the previous Municipal Year, DLA had taken account of the feedback from the Board and incorporated it into the draft strategy for Farnborough Town Centre. The purpose at this meeting was to review the draft Strategy, prior to the formal document being presented to the Cabinet at its meeting in July.  Any comments and views from the Board would be fed into the final presentation to the Cabinet.

 

It was advised that the purpose of the Strategy was to pull together a variety of different elements of work to help shape the future of the town centre. It was considered a positive response to the changing nature of town centres and would help manage and instigate positive change to the town to meet local and visitor needs. It would also maximise the benefit of the civic quarter and demonstrate the Council’s commitment to securing a prosperous and sustainable future for Farnborough. The Strategy would also be used as a guide to the process of redevelopment and to help identify next steps.

 

A review was given on what Farnborough was considered to be today, input from key stakeholders and the vision for the future. The vision stated that Farnborough should be “a town where people chose to go for what they wanted and needed, and would find a whole lot more…”. The vision was backed up by five key themes:

 

1.    Identity, Branding and Events

2.    Environment, Safety and Wellbeing

3.    Access, Gateways and Wayfinding

4.    Activities

5.    Development

 

The Board discussed a number of quick wins and “meanwhile” uses for the existing infrastructure in the town. Examples of which were hoarding redecoration, with artwork provided through schools competitions, provision of new seating, allowing pop up themed activities, improvements to security e.g. extended CCTV, false shop fronts in empty shops to display student exhibitions, host maker spaces and a moveable mini forest of potted trees linked to the climate change benefits of tree planting.

 

The Board was advised of the process for delivery, key areas included:

 

·         Policy development in areas including, public realm, wayfinding, transport, design principles for town centre living and culture.

·         Detailed masterplan development with key stakeholders

·         Progression of development led by the Council and others e.g. Civic Quarter, proposals for Princes Mead

 

A number of organisational implications were reviewed which would help to achieve the objectives set out in the strategy, key areas noted were:

 

·         An adequately resourced town centre management team with a promotion function

·         An adequately resourced development team and pro-active planning team

·         A dedicated bids manager – to maximise securing all available funding

·         A pro-active approach to developing new partnerships, collaborative working and taking a direct lead to secure the right outcomes

·         Flexibility in pursuit of clear objectives

·         Council commitment and leadership

 

In conclusion, it was noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

UK SHARED PROSPERITY FUND pdf icon PDF 446 KB

To receive a presentation from Rachel Barker, Assistant Chief Executive, on the current position with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Minutes:

The Board welcomed Ms Rachel Barker, Assistant Chief Executive, who was in attendance to report on the latest position with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

 

It was noted that the UKSPF was the Government’s domestic replacement for the European Structural and Investment Programme used to fund local regeneration, employment and skills projects and programmes. The UKSPF also supported the ambitions of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper.

 

It was noted that the government had allocated £2.6billion over three years to the UKSPF, of which Rushmoor would receive £1million over three years (£33,868 in 2022/23, £67,737 in 2023/24 and £898,395 in 2024/25). It was advised that the funds would only be accessible through an approved local investment plan, which should identify interventions to be made, from a menu of set options, to realise desirable outcomes based on local context and evidence. The plan should also focus on the key priorities (community and places, supporting local businesses and people and skills), set to help achieve the aims of the UKSPF to build pride in place and increase life chances across the country. The Council’s investment plan, would need to be submitted by 1st August 2022.

 

The Board reviewed the key dates and milestones of the UKSPF. It was noted that the funding period was between April 2022 and March 2025 and all interventions must be delivered by March 2025 or have a break in the clause allowing for closure by March 2025. Other parameters included:

 

·         Demonstrating how the investment plan contributed to the Government’s net zero strategy and 25 year environmental plan

·         Demonstrate how the plan impacted on the natural environment and duties under the Equality Act

·         Consideration on how the UKSPF aligned with other funding streams such as, the levelling up fund, national employment support programmes and existing adult skills provisions

·         Ensure no duplication or replacement of existing funding provisions

 

The investment plan should address the following key areas:

 

·         Local context – setting out the evidence of local opportunities and challenges

·         Selection of outcomes and interventions – to be identified from a menu of set options and clearly linked to local opportunities and challenges

·         Delivery - set out details on approach, expenditure and deliverables, and capability and resource

 

It was noted that the process of scoping the plan had commenced. A long list of interventions had been drawn up and a process was underway to create a shortlist, through workshop activities and development of detail, to allow for a final review prior to completion of the investment plan. Key documents to be used in this process would be the Council Plan, the Local Plan, the Supporting Communities Strategy and Action Plan and the Climate Change Action Plan, amongst others. Shortlisting criteria to be considered would include:

 

·         Is it a priority in the Council Plan/existing strategies?

·         Are we already doing it, or can someone else deliver it?

·         Support from residents/businesses/stakeholders/elected Members

·         Would it deliver tangible benefits?

·         Would it incur additional cost from the Council now or in the future?

 

It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

ASYLUM PROCESS - CONSULTATION pdf icon PDF 115 KB

To receive a presentation from Rachel Barker, Assistant Chief Executive on the Government consultation on the process for asylum. Feedback from the Board will be incorporated into the formal response.

Minutes:

Rachel Barker, Assistant Chief Executive, reported on a current consultation on the process for dealing with asylum seekers. Any feedback from the Board would be incorporated into the Council’s response.

 

It was advised that the letter, from the Minister of Safe and Legal Migration, MP Kevin Foster, included in the agenda pack gave the context to the consultation and it was important to note that it was not about the principles of the arrangements but more about how it would roll out in the future.

 

It was noted that the Government’s intention had been to move away from using hotels to house asylum seekers and towards a more fair and sustainable process through the private sector rental market. It was noted that the Government would host a couple of workshops, by geographical area, to inform and assist collaborative working with local authorities prior to the deadline for the consultation on 1st July, 2022.

 

The Board discussed the presentation and raised a concern regarding the limited stock of private rented accommodation within the Borough and it was felt that this would be a common concern amongst local authorities across the country. Further comments were around the importance of setting expectations of working with the Home Office and the relationships between partners. In addition, comments would be made seeking to ensure the funding allocation was appropriate for the Borough. Resources to manage the process locally, would also be a concern.

 

The Chairman thanked Ms Barker for her presentation and it was noted that a copy of the detailed survey/consultation would be shared with the Board following the meeting.

7.

WORK PLAN pdf icon PDF 178 KB

To discuss the Policy and Project Advisory Board Work Plan (copy attached).

Minutes:

The Board agreed that the work plan would be considered in more detail at the Progress Group scheduled for the following week.