Venue: Multi-Location Meeting - Gloucester Room, Guildhall / MS Teams. View directions
Contact: Scrutiny Officer - 01792 636292
No. | Item |
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Confirmation of Convener Minutes: Councillor Chris
Holley was confirmed as Convener of the Development and Regeneration Panel for
2023-24. |
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Disclosure of Personal and Prejudicial Interests Minutes: There were no disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial
Interests. |
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Prohibition of Whipped Votes and Declaration of Party Whips Minutes: None. |
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To receive the minutes of the previous meeting(s) and agree as an accurate record. Minutes: Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed. |
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Public Questions Questions can be submitted in writing to Scrutiny scrutiny@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working
day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence. Public may attend
and ask questions in person if time allows. Questions must relate to items on
the open part of the agenda and will be dealt with in a 10 minute period. Minutes: The following questions were received from members of the
public and Lee Richards responded. QUESTION 1 - In the Development and Regeneration Scrutiny
Panel on 20 March there was reference to a 'resounding positive response' at
the consultation meetings. This fails to mention considerable opposition at
meetings. Can this aspect have a mention? RESPONSE - “There is quite considerable support for the
scheme and with all schemes, there will be some opposition. But mainly the
opposition comments provided were ones of inquiry. This is information which is
being provided to us obviously by Skyline as the Council aren't the developer
here. Just reminding everybody that all we're doing is enabling and leasing the
land to Skyline. So, the information that they've provided and this information
forms part of their pack which is the pre application consultation. It supports
their planning application, which lists all the questions that were raised
during the meeting and the answers as part of the consultation event. A number of the questions were relating to things like what
is the pricing that will apply to the scheme, to questions on access and
ecology. So, they were the main questions that were coming forward from the
various parties who attended the event.” QUESTION 2 - We were told at consultation that the annual
pass mentioned for Swansea residents applies to the Gondola ride only (and this
is what I have seen advertised). The prices for other 'attractions' had not yet
been fixed. Can this be made clear at scrutiny level? RESPONSE - “A statement provided by Skyline reads
- a pricing plan is currently being developed with the intention of ensuring
that everyone will be able to enjoy various aspects of the attraction. Though
currently being worked up and they're very much hope to be able to release and
share it with everybody shortly.” QUESTION 3 - Press releases indicate that the Welsh
Government have awarded £4 million rather than £3 million to the scheme. RESPONSE “It's actually £4 million and that has been
published by Welsh Government it's £4 million of which £3 million is grant and
£1 million is a loan”. |
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Swansea Arena Update PDF 237 KB Cllr Robert Francis-Davies - Cabinet Member
for Investment, Regeneration, Events & Tourism Lee Richards – City Centre Team
Leader Lisa Mart – Venue Director at
Swansea Arena Minutes: Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Minister for Investment,
Regeneration, Events and Tourism, officers and Lisa Mart from Swansea Arena
attended to discuss the item, The following points were made – ·
The Arena has performed better than anticipated
and achieved 78.9% occupancy exceeding projection of 65% in the first year. ·
There have been 241,000 tickets sold for events
and 74 performances in year one which is in line or higher than other more
established venues of a similar size. Although this is less than the business
plan, occupancy figures have been higher therefore revenue has averaged out. ·
The venues flexibility and speed of changeover
has been an asset. ·
Positive feedback has been received specifically
regarding music events, sound and back of house facilities. ·
Challenges in the first year have included
utility costs, small snagging issues, familiarisation with the
technology/operation of the venue. ·
Bar service and exiting the car park have both
been improved after receiving feedback, but in general complaints have been
low. ·
The Arena works in cohesion and has a strong
relationship with other local venues including the soon to open Albert Hall. ·
Performing acts have provided positive feedback
with some acts returning. ·
Rent is paid to the Council in addition to a
service charge for Copr Bay as well as a ticket share
and profit from VIP lounges. This is before a profit share comes into play in
due course. ·
The Arena has played a key role in attracting
other developers to Swansea. |
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Regeneration Programme / Project Monitoring Report PDF 203 KB Cllr Robert Francis-Davies – Cabinet Member
for Investment, Regeneration, Events & Tourism Phil Holmes – Head of Planning and City
Regeneration Huw Mowbray - Development and Physical
Regeneration Strategic Manager Additional documents: Minutes: The latest report on regeneration programme / projects was
presented to the Panel. Officers provided updates on the following: Copr Bay: ·
Progress is being made to finalise works. ·
Painting of steelworks will be completed by the
end of 2023. ·
Commercial units are nearing completion.
Interest in letting these has been high. Shaping Swansea ·
Urban Splash are progressing the masterplan in
St Thomas. ·
In the Hafod Urban
Splash have appointed architects to look at the masterplan in partnership with
Swansea Council. ·
Bids for the Shared Prosperity Fund are awaiting
outcomes shortly and the Design Commission for Wales have been engaged with. Swansea Central North ·
There is positive tenant engagement for the
350,000 ft of office space and stage 1 of designs completed. ·
Progress is being made including meetings with
funders. 71/72 The Kingsway ·
Build has reached 4th floor level and
on schedule. ·
There is interest from potential occupiers. ·
The nearby Barclays building is likely to be
marketed to the private sector. ·
This will complement the nearby Hacer biophilic development. ·
Bike parking and electric bike charging is
included in the build. ·
Discussions are being held about a side entrance
into Picton Arcade. Castle Square ·
Contract tenders are being analysed and work
should start onsite early 2024. ·
Funding has come from Swansea Council plus a
Welsh Government Grant via Transforming Towns. Skyline ·
The Council are waiting the result of land registration
and Skyline are preparing for the planning application. Powerhouse Redevelopment Hafod
Copperworks ·
This is complete with formal opening imminent. Palace Theatre ·
This private sector development is progressing. Levelling Up Fund – Lower Swansea Valley ·
The recent Colliers report indicates Swansea has
potential for in excess of 300 hotel rooms. There is
also interest from hotel operators. ·
Work on the laboratory building is estimated to
start this summer. |
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Review of items covered in the Work Plan 2022-23. Minutes: The Panel noted the Annual Review documents. |
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Minutes: The Chair informed the Panel of a proposed merger of the
Service Improvement and Finance Scrutiny Panel with the Development and
Regeneration Scrutiny Panel. This will be proposed at the next Scrutiny
Programme Committee on 18 July and if agreed this would be the last meeting of
the Development and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel. |
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Letter to Cabinet Member - Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism PDF 191 KB |