Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mark Shurmer.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

Work Programme

It was noted that the Leisure Intervention Update report, which was due to be considered at the meeting, had been deferred to a later date.

Sallie Swan

The Leader advised of the sad news of the passing of Sallie Swan, Vice-Chairman of Redditch United Football Club, which he had learned of at the weekend.  He would be writing to Chris Swan, Club Chairman, to express the Council’s condolences. 

Queen’s 90th Birthday Beacon Celebration

The Leader advised of a beacon lighting event which was taking place on Thursday 21st April at 6.15pm at the Bandstand, Church Green, as part of a national beacon lighting project in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday.  The event was due to be attended by a number of local dignitaries.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 8^th March, 2016.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 8th March 2016 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1^st March, 2016,

There are no recommendations to consider.

(Minutes attached)

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1st March 2016.

It was noted that there were no recommendations to consider.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 1st March 2016 be received and noted.

To consider the enclosed report from the Heads of Environmental Services and Planning and Regeneration, setting out proposals for enhancing  the town centre.

Members received a report which provided information on a proposed public realm improvement scheme for the Town Centre.  An error was noted in part 2 of the report recommendation, which should have stated £275k capital expenditure and not £250k.

Members were asked to approve Phase 1 of the Town Centre Improvements Scheme for the enhancement of Alcester Street and Market Place, and to also approve capital expenditure of £275k towards the estimated total cost for this phase of the Scheme.

Members expressed concerns in relation to damage which had previously been caused to existing brickwork along Alcester Street following works carried out by the statutory undertakers, which they wished to ensure would not be repeated in the future.  Officers stated that as the proposed enhancements were on highways land, they had spoken with Worcestershire County Council who had given various assurances in this regard.  Members were advised that public realm improvements received special status, which included like-for-like repairs.  The statutory undertakers were also due to complete any known works prior to the commencement of the enhancement works in mid-January 2017.

Regarding current signage by St Stephens Church, Church Green West, a request was made by Members that Officers look into the possibility of installing additional fingerpost signage to denote where the Bandstand and Train Station were located, with the Train Station in particular reported as being poorly signposted when entering the town.

RESOLVED that

1)                  the plan as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and timescales for the enhancement of Alcester Street and Market Place be approved; and

2)                  Capital expenditure of £275k towards the estimated total cost for this phase of the public realm scheme be approved.

To consider the enclosed report setting out an application to list the Seven Stars Inn as an asset of community value.

The Committee considered a report which sought Member support to list the Seven Stars Inn, Birchfield Road, Redditch as an Asset of Community Value.

Officers explained the listing process and the community element of this.  The Rocklands Social Club (owners of the freehold for the Seven Stars Inn) and the local ward Councillors had been consulted as part of the listing process, and no objections had been received in response.  Members also noted the possible financial implications to the Authority.

RESOLVED that

the Executive Committee support the listing of the Seven Stars Public House, Birchfield Road, Redditch as an Asset of Community Value.

There were no outstanding referrals to consider.

It was noted that the meeting of the Planning Advisory Panel scheduled for earlier that evening had been cancelled due to lack of business.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.