Agenda item

To receive a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services in relation to Council Assets

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Housing and Property Services updating Members on the current position in relation to the proposals for the regeneration of Tiverton town centre.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report highlighting the production of a masterplan and the possible improvements that could be made to the cinema, he explained the work that was taking place to maximise the Council’s property portfolio including the occupancy details for Market Walk which he hoped would bring variety and increased footfall into the town and he explained other council initiatives and schemes that were being discussed.

Consideration was given to the proposal for a hotel in the town centre; the Head of Housing and Property Services answered the questions posed in public question time:

a)     17800 new guests: the Premier Inn had supplied the figure within its business plan, the Council had not proposed that 17,800 guests would use the hotel; the Council were looking to regenerate Tiverton not to detract from other hotels in the vicinity.

b)    Business Case: the Council would not be providing a business plan for the establishment of a hotel, which would be for the Premier Inn to produce.  The proposal would require planning permission and he felt that local businesses and stakeholders would be consulted as part of the planning process.

c)    Junction 27:  the Local Plan process was progressing and officers were considering representations from the latest public consultation.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration stated that Westwood/Eden Project’s proposal was not at the current time included in the Local Plan which had not yet been submitted.  If following any new evidence officers recommended any changes to the approved plan then that would require a Council decision.

The Head of Housing and Property Services explained that discussion had taken place with Premier Inn and the agreements that would be required.

The Chairman suggested that a meeting be arranged with Mr Roberts to address his concerns.

Discussion followed with regard to:

·         The lack of information and details available to all Members of the Council

·         The decision making process

·         Lack of evidence base being presented to allow an informed decision to be made

·         The involvement of the local Business Forum in plans for the regeneration of Tiverton

·         The facilities available at the proposed hotel

·         The business case

·         The amount of car parking spaces to be lost and the impact of that on income

·         Valuation of the site

·         The involvement of local traders in discussions

·         Justification for the recommendation in the report

·         The need for a masterplan for the regeneration of the area

·         Public consultation to include Tiverton Town Council

·         How the proposed hotel would regenerate the town, increase footfall and revitalise current or encourage new restaurants

·         The proposed development site of the hotel

·         Concerns regarding regeneration of the market area and the need for a roof to cover all aspects of the area

·         The proposed improvements to the town’s war memorial

·         The fact that the masterplan would go out to public consultation

RESOLVED that:

a)      the report be NOTED; and

b)      Delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing & Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, to agree disposal to Premier Inn for 125 years of part of the multi-storey car park and ancillary land for the provision of a hotel.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr R J Chesterton)

Notes

i)       Cllr N V Davey declared a personal interest as a Member of Tiverton Town Council;

ii)      *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes;

Additional Note:

This decision has been called in by the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee