Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Wallis Room, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham

Contact: Email: committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk  Direct line: 01403 215465

Items
No. Item

1.

17.35: Chairman's Welcome and Cabinet portfolio remit pdf icon PDF 40 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member welcomed the Group to the first meeting of this PDAG.  He outlined the functions of the Horsham Town Cabinet Member, who had overall responsibility for the development of the Horsham Town Vision and sought to retain and enhance the character of the town while improving its facilities and infrastructure. 

 

The areas of responsibility involved liaison and consultation with other Cabinet Members, in particular Local Economy, Leisure & Culture and Planning & Development. 

2.

17.45: Horsham District Council's Town Centre Vision

To update the Group on the evolution of the adopted Town Centre Vision and progress on current projects. A presentation will be given by the Corporate Project Manager, detailing the background and formation of the ‘Vision’ including the development of the Strategic Directions, consultation responses and key projects.

Minutes:

The Group received a presentation from the Corporate Project Manager regarding the evolution of the Council’s adopted Horsham Town Centre Vision (2017), which set out to create a vision of planned, emerging and future economically viable improvements.   

 

The resulting strategy proposed improvements to cultural and community infrastructure, improved access and connectivity and the ability to evolve the town’s image and identity.  Consultation with stakeholders had underpinned the proposed strategic directions, which included public realm, visitor economy and car parking strategies.  

 

The ‘Vision’ concluded with a Delivery Schedule of ten projects to be developed in the short to medium term.   

 

The Cabinet Member emphasised the need for a flexible and dynamic approach when identifying specific projects to help deliver the Town Vision, with an initial emphasis on connectivity, in particular in relation to Albion Way, Blackhorse Way and The Bishopric.

3.

18.10: Question and Answer session and roundtable discussion on the Town Centre Vision and current issues

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member invited comments from the Group.  Issues raised and discussed included:

 

·         the character and appearance of Queen Street with its mix of retail and residential units.  A member of the Group requested that the BID (Business Improvement District) area be extended to include Queen Street;

·         ways to improve connectivity and appearance of Albion Way;

·         the need to enhance the character of Blackhorse Way and the locality of the Travelodge;
  

·         the benefit of nominating traders to become street champions for their locality;

·         the character of the museum and its current access arrangements; 

·         the aims of the Visitor Economy strategy and the opportunity to use the town as a base for visiting other attractions in the District;

·         it was requested that the open-air market be reviewed with a view to encouraging a more diverse mix of retailers.

 

The Cabinet Member reiterated the importance of improving connectivity to encourage safe and free movement about the town for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and buses. 

4.

18.40: Future meeting dates

Minutes:

The group agreed that the next three meetings of the group would take place at 17.30 on the following dates:

 

13th November 2019

15th January 2020

18th March 2020

5.

18.45: Forward Plan for the Horsham Town Portfolio

To discuss future items and reports such as business issues, crime in Horsham Town, Public Realm Strategy, and Local Cycling and Walking Strategy (LCWIP)

 

Minutes:

The group agreed that the meeting on 13 November would focus on how the Council could help town businesses and updates on the emerging Public Realm Strategy and Local Cycling and Walking Strategy. The meeting in January would focus on crime in the town.