Minutes – Community Affairs Committee – 6 June 2022

The agenda and papers for this meeting are available here: Community Affairs Committee – 6 June 2022 – agenda and papers

The minutes of this meeting are presented below.

You can also download a PDF copy of the minutes here: Minutes – Community Affairs Committee – 6 June 2022

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
HELD ON MONDAY 6 JUNE 2022 AT 2.00PM

PRESENT:

• Councillors Apel, Carter, C Hughes, Gershater, Lishman, Sharp

EX-OFFICIO:

• The Mayor (Councillor J Joy), the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Plowman)

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

• Councillor Gaskin, Helen Marshall (Vice-Chair, Chichester BID), Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk, Member Services Support Officer, Front of House Supervisor, Committee and Communities Officer

IN ATTENDANCE VIA ZOOM:

• Councillor Scicluna, Mr Brian Smith, Secretary General of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR 2022-2023

It was proposed by Councillor Plowman, seconded by Councillor C Hughes, put to the vote and AGREED that Councillor Apel be Chairman of the Community Affairs Committee for the remainder of the Council year. There were no other nominations.

It was proposed by Councillor Apel, seconded by Councillor Plowman, put to the vote, and AGREED that Councillor C Hughes be elected Vice-Chairman of the Community Affairs Committee for the remainder of the Council year. There were no other nominations

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

3. MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HELD ON 21 MARCH 2022 AND THE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS MEETING HELD ON 11 APRIL 2022 (previously circulated)

AGREED that the minutes of the Community Affairs Committee meeting held on 21 March 2022 and Discretionary Grants meeting held on 11 April 2022, having been circulated; be approved and signed as a correct record.

4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING

The Chairman and Councillors Plowman, Lishman and Sharp declared an interest as Members of Chichester District Council.
Councillor Plowman declared an interest as Member of the Rotary Club.

Councillor Scicluna declared an interest as the City Council representative on all three Friends Associations.

The Mayor declared an interest as a Member of West Sussex County Council.

5. UPDATE FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

a) Community Highway Partnerships (minute 76 refers)

It was noted that the presentation given at the last meeting was available along with contact details if Members wished to make contact.

b) HRH Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Gala (minute 77b refers)

The Chairman thanked all those involved in organising what had been a successful event. Particular thanks were given to Claire Adams and Tim Smith for their efforts.

Members agreed an event should be organised by the City Council and held in Priory Park once a year without the procession unless it was felt appropriate for a particular occasion.

At this point the Chairman introduced Agenda Items 6 (b) and 9

6. BID Rangers update (attached)

The Chairman welcomed Helen Marshall from Chichester BID to the meeting.

Helen Marshall advised Members she had recently been made BID Chairman and referred to the report previously circulated with the Agenda. She advised there were no major updates to report, however shoplifting was still a problem in the city and continuously increasing. BID was also working alongside the Police to ensure a Police presence in the city.

Helen Marshall further advised BID had entered into a new agreement with Chichester Business Against Crime Partnership to launch a new free, real time immediate security alert system aimed at retailers who did not wish to pay £26 per month for security radios.

7. CHICHESTER BID ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION REPORT

Helen Marshall referred to the report and explained the changes made to Articles of Association. Members found no issues with proposals which were also being considered by Chichester District Council.

At this point the Chairman introduced Agenda Item 7

8. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF FRIENDS OF CHARTRES, RAVENNA AND VALLETTA

Councillor Scicluna noted the report had been circulated with the Agenda and that the Friends of Chartres had a successful day at the Platinum Jubilee Gala with their stand in Priory Park.

Councillor Apel welcomed Graham Pound to speak on behalf of Friends of Valletta. Graham Pound noted his report which had been previously circulated. He reminded Members that the Three Cities Association evening would be held on Monday 20 June and welcomed Members to come along. He further advised that Membership of Friends of Valletta had increased to 83 people.

The Chairman asked Councillor Scicluna about the Membership numbers of Friends of Chartres which Councillor Scicluna advised it was approximately 120 people.

The Chairman noted there was no representative from Friends of Ravenna.

At this point the Chairman returned to the published agenda order.

9. CITY CENTRE WIFI

Councillor Plowman reported that the hope was that the Gigabyte Scheme would enable West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council to link with a provider to make 5G coverage available in the City Centre. There was no time frame available, however although it was noted to be moving along quickly.

10. CHICHESTER RAILWAY STATION

Councillor Plowman reported on work undertaken by Rotary. They had a meeting with the station and progress had been made. He then advised Members of a current project being worked on of a series of photographs of Priory Park taken by Benjamin Graham which would be on display in the station.

Councillor Sharp asked whether the Rotary had approached local schools to be involved in the project. Councillor Plowman advised discussions were being held with Network Rail and the idea was for the project to be inclusive and Chichester University be asked to design a piece to be included in the display within the station.

At this point the Chairman introduced Agenda Item 10

11. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF HISTORIC TOWNS AND REGIONS

The Chairman introduced Brian Smith, Secretary General of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions which is the trading name of Heritage Europe. Mr Smith explained the role and function of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions which was created by the Council of Europe in 2000 and formed as an umbrella organisation to promote the interest of historic towns in Europe.

Councillor Gershater asked Mr Smith what would be expected from the City of Chichester and what would the criteria be to become a member. Mr Smith advised this organisation was a platform to offer opportunities to give back, promote interest and engage with other cities. He further advised that they currently had member cities of all sizes.

Councillor Gaskin asked about their green agenda and the possibility of linking with other towns and cities with the same values. Mr Smith advised there were plenty of sustainability practice examples available on their website to refer to and they had just published an atlas and 70 international case studies detailing how heritage lead regeneration delivers sustainability.
Councillor Lishman asked about what projects the organisation undertake which would be affordable or free for families with low income. Mr Smith advised they approached this issue with finding ways to engage with all levels in communities. He explained that they see a willingness in cities to fund and finance community initiatives.

The Chairman asked how the organisation was funded. Mr Smith advised they were funded partly by membership subscription which was tailored on different criteria such as the size and wealth of the city. He added they were also funded by their ability to work on European projects.

It was agreed by Members that this item would be deferred for consideration until the next meeting.

12. SUSSEX POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS FOCUS GROUP MEETING

Councillor Sarah Lishman advised that due to unforeseen circumstances she was unable to attend the Focus Group Meeting however, she had requested a copy of the report and would report on this at the next meeting.

13. PROPOSED SPEYER FRIENDSHIP LINK

The Town Clerk reminded Members that two representatives from Speyer were visiting Chichester on 4th August. He recommended a small working group be formed by Members to help with the arrangements and the visit itself.

It was agreed that a working group be made up of The Mayor, The Deputy Mayor, Councillors Scicluna, Apel and Gershater.

14. COMMUNITY WARDENS UPDATE

The Committee noted the reports that had been received. The Chairman advised that if Members had questions for the new Chief inspector to let her know and she would ask them at the next Scrutiny Meeting.

15. WEST SUSSEX POLICE UPDATE

No report had been received.

16. CHICHESTER TREE WARDENS

The Chairman noted the apologies received from the Tree Wardens and the report which was circulated previously with the Agenda.

17. DRAFT CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS PLAN

After a brief discussion, it was agreed by Members to RECOMMEND to Full Council on 29 June 2022 that a small Working Group be formed and the Finance and Planning & Conservation Committees be informed.

18. CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATION AT THE CHICHESTER DISTRICT COUNCIL ALL PARISHES MEETING ON 19TH SEPTEMBER 2022

It was agreed by Members that Councillors Apel and C Hughes would represent the City Council at the Chichester District Council All Parishes Meeting on 19th September 2022.

19. GRAFFITI IN THE CITY

There was no update to report. It was noted it was to be discussed at the Chichester District Council Cabinet meeting on Monday 6th June 2022.

20. CONFIRMATION OF OUTSIDE BODIES REPRESENTATION 2022/2023 WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO SAINT JOHN’S TRUST AND THE OXMARKET TRUST

It was agreed that Councillor Scicluna would continue to stay on as representative for Saint John’s Trust.
The Town Clerk advised no progress had been made on the promised changes to the Oxmarket Constitution and he would write a letter expressing concerns that nothing had come forward yet.

21. SECTION 106 FUNDING FOR PUBLIC ART

The Deputy Town Clerk advised she had contacted Emma Bishop in Chichester District Council and was advised that there would be no New Homes Bonus as the scheme had been wound up. She further advised that there were Section 106 funds available which she detailed for Members information.

Public Art

There was £3,836.36 which came through from the development of the Woolstaplers Car Park. The deadline for the money to be claimed was March 2023.

There was £3,397.16 from Bartholomew’s Holdings, Bognor Road. The deadline for the money to be claimed was December 2024.

Community Facilities

There was £91,268.40 for Community Facilities from Bartholomew’s Holdings, Bognor Road to be claimed by December 2029

The Deputy Town Clerk noted that in this instance Community Facilities referred to projects or community buildings that require enhancements and the sum of money of £91,268.40 was allocated to Chichester South.

Councillor Sharp queried whether the full amount of £91,268.40 was available as she was under the impression that the money had already been allocated. The Deputy Town Clerk advised she would ask for clarification on the matter and would come back.

Councillor Plowman advised he would work on a proposal for the £3,836.36 monies which were yet to be allocated.

22. SPEED INDICATOR DEVICES

The Town Clerk reported the process of setting up the SID on St Pancras was nearing a close. He advised that there is a new County Police SID co-ordinator which would be worked with. There was a brief discussion among Members, and it was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting and to invite the new County Police SID co-ordinator to speak at the next meeting.

The meeting closed at 3.44pm

DATE OF THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING: MONDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2022 AT 3.00PM