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MINUTES of a Meeting of the Economic Development Services Committee held in the Council Chamber at The Guildhall, Gainsborough on Tuesday, 7th September 1999 at 7 pm.

The Administrative Services Officer reported that having received Notices under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 the Chief Executive had appointed Councillors J Indian and C J Underwood-Frost as Members of the Committee in the places of Councillor P N Baldwin and E H J Green respectively for this meeting only.

250 MINUTES

251 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GAINSBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE WORKING GROUP HELD ON 31ST AUGUST 1999

The Vice-Chairman of the Committee submitted report ED.21 99/00.

A local Ward Member referred to a letter he had received from Melton Borough Council on their successful operation of a farmers market which he undertook to pass to the Property Services Manager to enable him to pursue the establishment of a farmers market.

It was proposed that if the Council did not have the resources to establish farmers/antiques markets the project be put to outside contractors with the Gainsborough Town Council being invited to be involved.

A local Ward Member questioned whether there would be any policy implications on the Council if the sale of wet fish/meat was allowed on outside markets.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager advised that as there was no Environmental Health Officer present he could not comment on the complex health and hygiene issues but undertook to refer the matter to the Director of Community Services to have the policies clearly defined.

The Economic Development Officer referred to the meeting held with the traders on the 3rd September when several suggestions had been put forward to improve the appearance of the area. He confirmed that it had been made clear at the meeting that there was no additional Council funding available at the present time.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager confirmed that the long-term development would include improvements to the Trinity Street area when all funding packages would be explored.

A local Ward member requested that an item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Working Group to consider the externalisation of the management of Gainsborough markets and car parks.

The Chairman agreed to take the following item as a matter of urgency in order to avoid any delay in the registration of the Gainsborough Credit Union with their National Association.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.22 99/00 and advised that once the existing Lease of the Corporation Yard Offices had been assigned to the Council a Licence could be issued to Gainsborough and District Credit Union allowing them to make use of part of the vacant office suite.

1. authority be given for West Lindsey District Council to enter into the assignment, as assignee and for the Common Seal of the West Lindsey District Council to be affixed to the assignment deed; and
2. authority be given to grant a licence of the Corporation Yard Offices to Gainsborough and District Credit Union and (if required) that the Common Seal of the District Council be likewise affixed to the licence deed.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.14 99/00 and advised that there was still some doubt as to the possible outcome and timescale of European Structural Funds.

He confirmed that it had been made clear from Ministerial and European Union comments that there would be cuts in the eligible areas with eligibility expected to be based on ward statistics. Some 60% of the District’s population are covered by West Lindsey’s case for funding and the Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager outlined the initial list of local priorities which had been included.

Members welcomed the report and congratulated the officers on their work.

1. further work be done on European funding priorities in conjunction with other County partners and in parallel to the development of an integrated cultural and economic strategy.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.15 99/00.

In response to a question he confirmed that the Tourism and Recreational Services Committee would also give consideration to the report at its meeting on the 16th September when issues relating to arts development could more appropriately be addressed.

Members fully supported the proposed principals for the preparation of an economic and cultural strategy which they considered formed a sound basis on which to build for the future.

1. the development of a new Cultural and Economic Strategy as outlined in the body of report ED.15 99/00 and it appendices be approved;
2. following the adoption of a Cultural and Economic Strategy, the Committee adopts a series of related Service Plans covering all aspects of the work of the Economic Development and Recreational Services Unit; and
3. further consideration of the long term resource implications be undertaken as part of the Council’s corporate structural review.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.17 99/00.

It was suggested that the Strategy needed to be inclusive of the whole region. Development of GDP in Nottingham for example may be sufficient to bring the East Midlands into the top 20 regions but would do little for West Lindsey and Lincolnshire where there was still a need for basic infrastructure.

A Member advised that along with two fellow County Councillors, he represented Lincolnshire at Steering Group and Policy Forum meetings of the East Midlands Assembly when Lincolnshire’s needs and aspirations had been strongly emphasised. He confirmed that every effort would continue to made to ensure that both Lincolnshire and the District received a fair share of funding.

1. the draft strategy document, July 1999 ‘Prosperity Through People’ be noted; and
2. the response to the strategy consultation as detailed in Appendix Two to report ED.17 99/00 be sent to East Midlands Development Agency.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.18 99/00 and advised that the first proposal to be submitted to the Lincolnshire Development Partnership would be modified to reflect a more positive response.

The Economic Development Officer submitted report ED.19 99/00 and outlined the Government’s proposals for the establishment of the Small Business Service (SBS).

1. the draft response to the Department of Trade and Industry as detailed in Appendix Two to report ED.19 99/00 be agreed and sent to the Department of Trade and Industry and copied to the Local Government Association;

1. Business Link Lincolnshire be invited to submit a presentation on SBS proposals at the next meeting of the Economic Development Services Committee to be held on 12th October 1999.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.12 99/00 and advised that stricter Commission guidelines covering delegated grant funds would make the scheme difficult to operate in its present form.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.13 99/00 and outlined the basis of the proposed SRB bid.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager advised that in the preparation of the bid discussions would be sought with East Lindsey and Bassetlaw regarding the establishment of an investment corridor extending across district boundaries. He stressed that this suggestion was aspirational at the moment and may well be determined by the outcome of other bids and priorities in the adjoining districts.

Members fully supported the innovative bid which, if successful, could have a combined impact on both urban and rural communities within the District.

1. the preparation of an indicative SRB bid on the basis outlined within the body of report ED.13 99/00 be supported;

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.16 99/00 and outlined the significant points of the draft report.

The Chairman advised that the Regeneration Committee would be looking for ways to continue the momentum of the work already undertaken and would welcome the Planning Department’s comments on the design principles for developments being suitable for inclusion in the Local Plan process.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager confirmed that he would seek to work with East Midlands Development Agency to ensure that any press releases focused on positive and realistic aspects of the report.

1. the draft report be noted; and
2. the Committee’s comments and observations concerning the draft report be fed back to the consultants and/or EMDA and Gainsborough Regeneration as appropriate.

The Economic Development and Recreational Services Manager submitted report ED.20 99/00.

A Member expressed concern that the Police were continually withdrawing services and did not agree with Police surgeries being held in the parish office. The opposite view was expressed that the Police Authority was a public body which had been underfunded for a number of years and needed to make best use of its resources and the Parish Council should be commended on making best use of the building.

The Meeting concluded at 9.17 pm.