Agenda item

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Communities, as contained on pages 45 to 70 of the Book of Reports, which was referred to the Committee from the Cabinet meeting held on 9 June 2020.  The report sought the Committee's agreed comments regarding the use of capital funding for urgent public realm improvements at Wheatsheaf Walk, to include the removal of the pagoda and planters to create a more open and functional space to aid social distancing and the re-opening of businesses during the current COVID-19 outbreak, which would then be considered by the Director in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder.

A comment was moved and seconded in the following terms:

"The Executive Overview and Scrutiny have concerns about the proposals for the following reasons:

Given the recent relaxation of the Lockdown Regulations, including the opening of shops and the planned opening of bars, cafes and restaurants on the 4 July, the time window for the urgent removal of the Pagoda and Planters has now passed.   The necessary closure of public access to Wheatsheaf Walks while the proposed demolition work is undertaken, is likely to have a detrimental impact on the newly opened businesses.

In Paragraph 4.9 of the Report, mention is made of the possible use of "Small Square" for delivery vehicles to park or turn around yet the illustrations provided show that this would not be possible due to proposed installation of a concrete bench.

The Committee is also mindful that the responses from the Public Consultation undertaken by the Council does not provide strong support for the proposals and that there appears to be considerable opposition on social media.

Consequently, the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee recommend to the Cabinet that it adopt the alternative approach detailed in Paragraph 4.12 of the Report i.e. to retain the Pagoda and Planters and consider their removal or long term retention at a later date with the wider public realm improvements at Wheatsheaf Walk and that once these have been formulated they be subject to a full Public Consultation."

A vote was taken on the 'comment' and at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:               Councillors I Ashcroft, A Owens, A Sutton, D Westley and D Whittington (FIVE)

AGAINST:     Councillors R Cooper, S Evans, M Mills, M Nixon, G Owen and D West (SIX)

The 'comment' was NOT AGREED.

The Portfolio Holder, who was in attendance for this item only, advised the Committee that given the close result of the vote, he would consider this item further with Cabinet colleagues at an informal meeting being held on Friday, 26 June 2020, prior to any decision being taken in respect of the removal of the pagoda and planters.

The following Motion was moved and seconded in the following terms:

A.        That the consultation feedback on Wheatsheaf Walk public realm improvement proposals provided at Appendix 2 to the report be noted.

B.        That the Committee agree with the content of the report in relation to the potential removal of the pagoda and planters at Wheatsheaf Walk, however it be noted that the Portfolio Holder for Planning would consider this item further with Cabinet colleagues at their informal meeting being held on Friday 26 June 2020, taking into account the close result of the vote taken on the 'comment' above (not agreed), prior to a decision being taken by the Director of Place and Community.

A vote was taken on the Motion and at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:              Councillors R Cooper, S Evans, M Mills, M Nixon, G Owen and D West (SIX)

AGAINST:     Councillors I Ashcroft, A Owens, A Sutton, D Westley and D Whittington (FIVE)

RESOLVED:   A.   That the consultation feedback on Wheatsheaf Walk public realm improvement proposals provided at Appendix 2 to the report be noted.

B.   That the Committee agree with the content of the report in relation to the potential removal of the pagoda and planters at Wheatsheaf Walk, however it be noted that the Portfolio Holder for Planning would consider this item further with Cabinet colleagues at their informal meeting being held on Friday 26 June 2020, taking into account the close result of the vote taken on the 'comment' above (not agreed) and the Motion, prior to a decision being taken by the Director of Place and Community.