Agenda item - Madeira Terrace Restoration - Petition response and next steps

Extract from the proceedings of the Tourism, Development & Culture Committee meeting held on the 20^th June; together with a report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture.

28.1    This item was referred for information to Full Council by the Green Group. Councillor Rainey said that the Madeira Terraces was historically significant and helped to give Brighton its historic status as a tourist destination, and progress on its restoration was important to everyone. There had been a report at the last meeting of the Tourism Development & Culture (TD&C) Committee following a petition at an earlier meeting of Full Council. The terraces had fallen into disrepair over the last few decades with no visible restoration work having been undertaken. The Council’s report recommended starting the procurement process for the design and engineering works to restore 30 of the 151 arches. She said that at the TD&C Committee she had put forward an amendment which included a requirement in the contract that the use of innovative renewable technology such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting should be made a priority to reduce costs in the long-term and help the city to meet its commitment to achieving a carbon neutral status by 2030, and that a report be brought to the next meeting of TD&C outlining the proposals to use crowdfunded funds to progress plans for the development of an initial three arches. That report should contain options for which three arches should be progressed and developed, including an option that the three arches directly outside Concorde 2 be leased to them. The amendments were agreed at the TD&C meeting. The restoration of the arches would benefit all residents and visitors.

28.2    The Mayor congratulated Councillor Rainey on her maiden speech on behalf of the council.

28.3    Councillor Nemeth said that the costs did need to properly evaluated to ensure that there that were no overruns as happened with Shelter Hall. The lessons from Valley Gardens should be learnt where detail overshadowed general principle and the whole scheme being brought into disrepute. It was important to agree the vision for the Arches, which I have been advised is still to be agreed, and it would be important to have full consultation at an early stage.

28.4    Councillor Robbins (Chair of TD&C Committee) said that he and the Leader of the Council would be meeting with the campaigners to look at what could be done and when it could be done. The Council were keen to move forward on this matter.

28.5    RESOLVED: That the matter be noted.