Agenda and minutes

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In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

 

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Economy and Infrastructure Policy Development & Delivery Committee held on 20 September, 2018, be approved as a correct record.

The Fleet Manager presented the revised draft Green Fleet Policy, Vehicle Specification, Fleet Renewals to March 2019 and Method Statements and Pricing Schedule.

 

The Fleet Manager referred to an addition within the draft Green Fleet Policy with regard broadening collaborative arrangements.

 

Members’ asked questions of the Fleet Manager and Director of Place, who responded accordingly.

 

Resolved that the report be submitted to Cabinet on 20 December, 2018.

 

The City Centre Manager provided an update in respect of the feedback from the consultation exercise.

 

She detailed the key principles and stated that the proposals were a physical regeneration scheme and it may be more appropriate to rename the item ‘Wind Street Regeneration’

 

She detailed the consultation process and reported that there was a strong consensus in support of the findings of previous surveys undertaken.

 

Members noted the emerging headlines from the consultation encompassed:

 

·       Support for idea of a one way system from Castle Square through to Morgan’s Hotel.

·       Support for widening pavements.

·       Al fresco dining encouraging outdoor seating.

·       Business preferences is to cite the outdoor furniture on the same side as the building line.

·       Clear support for special events and activities.

·       Suggestions for access to Wind Street to be closed from either 3-4 pm to cater for the early evening trade or alternatively from 11 am after the majority of deliveries.

·       95% of businesses who responded were in agreement to revisions to the café licensing policy.

Other points that were raised included:

·       Improving the reputation of Wind Street.

·       Encouraging street vendors.

·       Improving the management of Wind Street in respect of maintenance of trees to improve light and street begging.

 

The City Centre Manager stated that following the successful consultation, consideration would need to be given to the type of scheme (bronze, silver or gold).  There were elements from the consultation exercise which could be implemented independently of the scheme i.e. streamlining café licences and the organisation of special events.

 

Members noted that the feasibility document would need to be designed to appeal to potential external funders as no budget was available to deliver the scheme. The Council’s External Funding Manager had been engaged in identifying any suitable grants that may be appropriate for the scheme.

The next stage in the process was stated as follows:

 

·       The drafting and finalisation of the Feasibility Study document.

·       The formal reporting of the Study to Corporate Briefing and then Cabinet in the New Year.

In response to Member questions, the City Centre Manager stated that:

 

·       No costings were currently available regarding the bronze, silver or gold schemes. It was noted these would need to be robust enough to provide an indication of the funding that is required however the final costs would be subject to further and more detailed design work.

·       Unsure whether the consultation captured the demographics of the consultees.

·       Colleagues in the commercial waste team have been engaged and provided detailed feedback on the current issues in Wind Street.

·       The current café licensing system is perceived by the businesses as being overly bureaucratic and could be simplified by covering all outside equipment (tables, chairs, A-frames, canopies etc.) as opposed to applying separately for each licence.

·       There are no statistics regarding rainfall in the area.

·       There is no plan to reduce the amount of trees in Wind Street.  However, the management of the trees could be improved to allow light and ensure CCTV are not compromised.

·       Concerns raised as part of the consultation process had focussed around access issues for disabled people and access for staff.  Feedback had been received from the Disability Awareness Group.

·       The Police have been engaged regarding designing out crime and anti-terrorism issues.

 

The Director of Place stated that work was ongoing regarding charges in respect of the geographical citing of chairs with the City. 

 

Resolved that

 

1.     The City Centre Manager advise whether demographic information in respect of consultees had been captured during the consultation period;

2.     The draft Feasibility Study document be considered at the meeting on 13 December, 2018 and

3.     The draft report on the Study to Corporate Briefing/Cabinet be considered at the meeting in January, 2019.

 

Resolved that the revisions to the work plan 2018-2019 be agreed as follows: