To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of public questions is 4 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
The Leader advised that there had been no statements or petitions received on this occasion but that four Members of the Public had submitted questions all relating to Agenda Item 9 (High Streets Strategy (Update)). The questions were read out on behalf of the Members of the Public and were each responded to by the Portfolio Holder in turn. The submitted questions and responses are set out below:
Question from Geoffrey Furnell
Will Councillor Broadhead consider the way in which the Christchurch Regeneration Subject was handled.
Were all Christchurch Town Councillors and BCP Councillors representing Christchurch contacted directly with full plans and costings?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Economy and Strategic Planning
I thank Mr Furnell for his question. I have no idea which Christchurch Regeneration subject Mr Furnell is referring to. At present, the only project we have even started thinking about is the regeneration of the former Christchurch Civic centre. Even this is at a very early stage and I will be first liaising with Christchurch Councillors and the Town Council before beginning any formal work on scoping that project. We currently have no other projects in Christchurch but are certainly on the hunt for good ideas, which will of course be led by the public. As such, the full plans and costings associated with any projects is £0, as there are no projects in the pipeline.
Question from Peter Fenning
“Within the BCP regeneration proposals for Christchurch Town Centre is one to establish a community hub within the area of the Christchurch bowling green. Is Councillor Broadhead aware that this site is within the Christchurch Central Conservation Area and is a protected Scheduled Ancient Monument and can he explain why it is to be established there.”
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Economy and Strategic Planning
I thank Mr Fenning for his question. I have no idea what “BCP regeneration proposals for Christchurch Town Centre” Mr Fenning is referring to. We currently have no projects in train aside from very early scoping work on the former Civic Centre. This is the first I have heard about proposals to establish a community hub within the area of the bowling green. However, I do love the idea of providing a further community hub in Christchurch and will happily explore proposals to create one in the right place if such proposals are presented to me. This administration is determined to right size the underinvestment in Christchurch and I encourage anyone with good ideas to get in touch with us!
Question from Councillor Avril Coulton – Deputy Mayor of Christchurch Town Council
Could Councillor Broadhead confirm that BCP Council is actively planning to build an extra storey of car parking on the Waitrose car park in Christchurch and demolishing the Saxon Square car park in order to replace it with a larger car park.
These ideas are encompassed by the Christchurch Regeneration subject. Where is the money coming from to pay for this and where can the costings for the proposals be found?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Economy and Strategic Planning
I thank Councillor Coulton for her question. I can confirm that we have no plans whatsoever to build an extra storey of car parking on the Waitrose car park in Christchurch. Nor do we have any active plans to demolish Saxon Square car park. I’m not quite sure where the idea that these projects which are supposedly underway has come from.
As such, the costings for these proposals is £0 as we have no such projects in the pipeline. I am however keen to hear from the Town Council as to any ideas they may have for improving Christchurch. I regularly receive ideas and proposals from both members of the public and indeed current BCP Councillors, all of which will be considered as we draw up regeneration plans in the future. I would love to engage with the Town Council on any proposed projects they may have. Christchurch has been, in my view, neglected in terms of proper investment for too long. This administration is determined to right size that and we will look to others to support that ambition into the future.
Question from John Pendrill – Chairman of Christchurch Citizens Association
In relation to Agenda item 9 will Councillor Broadhead agree that the circulation and publicity of the public consultation on Christchurch High Street Regeneration was totally inadequate. The receipt of just 26 replies indicates that the consultation was not published in an appropriate manner as local residents were unaware of this matter. What is the reason for this poor administration? BCP Council plans to carry out many High Street changes without further public consultation. In contrast Christchurch Town Council recently carried out its own neighbourhood survey and received 1,280 replies. Where can the costings for the proposals be found?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Economy and Strategic Planning
I thank Mr Pendrill for his question. There has been no public consultation on Christchurch High Street Regeneration as we have yet to develop a strategy around this going into the future.
I think the piece of work he is referring to was our “give us your ideas” informal digital consultation which we ran to get ideas for our 19 high streets across the BCP area. This was not a formal consultation, but rather a way to get a sounding for what was important to people as we emerge from the pandemic and start to develop the formal business recovery strategy. This has nothing to do with regeneration. An extract from the “have your say” informal exercise is below:
“Before we start working on the strategy we would like your views. We want you to try and look past what may currently be present in your high streets and think of its potential and how we can re-energise these areas.
Tell us:
what are your ideas for your high streets?
what do you think needs improving?
what would you like to see in your high streets?
what do you like about a particular high street?
Our high streets play a key role in creating a sense of place and they are the beating heart of our communities. Through developing a strategy we can reignite the excitement, personality and character of our high streets and create spaces that are meaningful to all who visit, work and enjoy.”
Mr Pendrill further states “BCP Council plans to carry out many High Street changes without further public consultation”. We have no such plans at the present. I do not know which plans Mr Pendrill refers to, as we have yet to even formulate the strategy, never mind having any projects in train. As such, I cannot provide costings for these proposals as no such proposals exist!
Finally, I look forward to working with the town council to find out the results of their consultation and will be involving Councillors and members of the public as we start to work on the strategy about what investment ideas they may have for the future. But to be clear, we currently have no projects currently being considered.