Agenda item - Valley Gardens Phase 3 (Royal Pavilion to Seafront) Results of public consultation and approval of Final Preliminary Design

Extract from the proceedings of the Special Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee meeting held on the 7^th February, 2019 together with a report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (copies attached).

98.1      Councillor Wares stated that he had referred the report to highlight the impending harm that approval of the scheme would cause for the area and residents.  He stated that the need for improvements to the area was recognised however, the level of opposition to the current proposals needed to be considered and taken into account.  He stated that a number of the leading event organisers in the city had expressed their concerns and the impact on being able to book beyond 2020.  He also suggested that the project would go over budget and there were questions about that could be accounted for.  He believed that there should be further consultation and a delay to the project in order to give further consideration to the best way forward.

98.2      Councillor Littman noted that improvements to Valley Gardens had been a long-standing issue and previous Administrations had either begun to review it or delayed matters rather than seeking to bring forward a project plan.  The project had now been through a review process and a preferred design plan agreed, which he believed needed to be progressed and supported.

98.3      Councillor Mitchell stated that the proposed plan had been adapted following consultations and should now be taken forward.  It met the requirements of all concerned and she hoped it could be supported and the funding utilised to enable the project to come to fruition.

98.4      The Mayor noted that it was likely to be Councillor Mitchell’s final speech as she was standing down and wished to offer the council’s congratulations and thanks for her service over the years.

98.5      The Mayor stated that the report had been referred for information and moved that it be noted.

98.6      RESOLVED: That the report be noted.