Issue - items at meetings - Madeira Drive Progress Report

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

1.     That the Cabinet Member approves the proposals to complete essential short-term infrastructure work including, lighting to improve night time levels of safety and longer-term measures to restrict traveller encampments, subject to funding being identified.

2.     That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to seek expressions of interest and external investment in relation to the marketing of any leisure and business proposals for the area.

3.     That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to submit any necessary planning applications that may be required and seek all relevant consents relating to carrying out any essential infrastructure work.

4.     That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to bring to a future Cabinet Member Meeting a report detailing how the strategic vision and action plan will be developed to address the future regeneration of Madeira Drive.

47.1       The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Environment concerning short-term proposals for improvements to the operation of Madeira Drive and requesting authorisation for officers to investigate long-term initiatives (for copy see minute book).

47.2       The Cabinet Member stated that the report set out the proposals for both improving areas of Madeira Drive in the short term as well as outlining how the Council would look to promote Madeira Drive as an ‘all year round’ destination. A strategic vision supported by an implementation plan would be developed to set out the long-term future regeneration of the area. The Cabinet Member added that measures to address lighting to make the area feel safer and proposals to remove the concrete blocks and replace them with bollards would greatly improve the appearance of the area in the short term. The Cabinet Member stated that the time was now right to bring together key partners to develop a strategic plan detailing all elements and themes that would contribute to making Madeira Drive a vibrant and active place for all.

47.3       Councillor Mitchell was disappointed that a new strategy would be developed and that funding had not been identified for improvements, as she believed that a strategy, including allocation of funding already existed. Councillor Mitchell commented that she was particularly concerning about the need for lighting around the Yellowave Beach Sports Venue and added that the use of concrete blocks was excessive; she asked how long the blocks would be there for?

47.4       The Acting Head of Sport and Leisure stated that he was not aware of an existing plan and added that it was necessary to ensure that any permanent measures allowed the area around Yellowave to be used before the concrete blocks were removed.

47.5       The Development Manager for Sport and Leisure Projects stated that the concrete blocks near to the Palace Pier were in place as a result of strengthening works being carried out and would be removed in November. She added that other blocks were in place to deter travellers.

47.6       Councillor Mitchell asked that officers investigate to ensure that access to the Reading Room had not been obstructed by the concrete blocks.

47.7       The Cabinet Member stated the budget was fully committed; however, he would continue to find funds to make further improvements such as those underway on the bandstand and planned for the Madeira Lift.

47.8       The Director of Environment commented that the report aimed to find a middle ground while funding was sought for long-term improvements and that the Council would look for better ways to protect these areas so that they could be marketed.

47.9       Councillor Kennedy welcomed much of the report, but had also noted that no funding had been identified. The Green Group wished to put forward the possibility of raising money by placing a levy on events in Madeira Drive in the hope of obtaining match funding. Councillor Kennedy added that events which caused pollution could be subject to higher charges.

47.10    The Director of Environment commented that such a proposal would have to be considered by the Council as a city-wide policy and that any benefits would have to be weighed up against the impact on smaller communities that use parks and open spaces. She added that officers have been carrying out work around sustainable events.

47.11    The Cabinet Member added that many of the events that had utilised Madeira Drive had raised a lot of money for charity and that it would therefore be difficult to create levels of fees; for this reason the Cabinet Member was not prepared to take the suggestion forward.

47.12    RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)       That the proposals to complete essential short-term infrastructure work including, lighting to improve night time levels of safety and longer-term measures to restrict traveller encampments be approved, subject to funding being identified.

(2)       That officers be authorised to seek expressions of interest and external investment in relation to the marketing of any leisure and business proposals for the area.

(3)       That officers be authorised to submit any necessary planning applications that may be required and seek all relevant consents relating to carrying out any essential infrastructure work.

(4)       That officers be authorised to bring to a future Cabinet Member Meeting a report detailing how the strategic vision and action plan would be developed to address the future regeneration of Madeira Drive.