Agenda item

Joint Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services – presented by the Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chair asked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to introduce the report updating the Committee in relation to the progress with recommendations from the Review of the support provided to the retail sector by Durham County Council (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer asked Members to recall the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Group and the report that had been considered by Cabinet on 16 January 2019.  She noted the progress in respect of the recommendations were set out at Appendix Two to the report and noted that the relevant Officers that had been involved in the review were in attendance to update the Committee and answer Members’ questions.

The Chair asked if the Officers in attendance could give brief update in relation to their areas of work.

The Traffic Management Section Manager, Dave Lewin thanked the Chair and noted the primary issue raised by the Group within his remit had been in relation to car parking.  He referred to the agenda papers which set out Recommendation Nine which asked for the Council to look at alternative payment methods, such as contactless payments and reconsideration of schemes such as “free after three”.  He explained that in terms of contactless payments, that there had been an increase in the numbers of these payment machines within Durham City and while it was a large task they were being rolled out, with any machine to be replaced being updated to contactless.  He added it was hoped to have contactless payments at Barnard Castle in March 2020.  The Traffic Management Section Manager noted that in relation to schemes such as “free after three” he reiterated that it was felt that such schemes were more beneficial in the slower retail periods of the year, however, expectations from AAPs, business and the public were for such schemes to be in place.  He explained that he was Chair of the North East Regional Support Team of the British Parking Association and that on its agenda for an upcoming meeting, 19 November, was the issue of whether such schemes were right, and how to raise the issue at a national level.

Councillor E Scott noted the massive squeeze in parking in Durham City, however, she noted some car parks were not at capacity and asked what work could be done in redirecting people to where spaces were available.  The Traffic Management Section Manager noted that signage options were being looked at, however, it would not be possible to promote one private operator over another and therefore a technological solution was required that gave information on the numbers of spaces actually available.  He noted issues with the current technology, with work ongoing to effect repairs.  He noted capacity at Riverwalk and that the operators were looking to offer packages on seven-day parking.

Councillor A Batey noted in Chester-le-Street a transferable ticket had been introduced and asked how successful that ticket had been and whether this was a scheme that could be expanded.  The Traffic Management Section Manager noted he was not sure how successful the scheme had been, however anecdotally while it had not appealed to mass numbers there had been some cases where it had worked well.  He added that he suspected it would not necessarily work well in other areas and that also it could be in conflict with the health agenda.

He also noted the majority of the town centres within the County were relatively compact.  Councillor A Batey asked if it was possible to get any data on whether the scheme had led to an increased footfall within the area, the Traffic Management Section Manager commented that he would investigate.

Councillor D Hall asked if prioritisation for the roll out of contactless car parking payment machines could be made for visitor attraction areas, such as Durham City, country parks and so on.  The Traffic Management Section Manager noted that colleagues from Sport and Leisure advised in this regard.  Councillor D Hall asked whether it was possible, when setting prices, to have off-peak rates to encourage people to come into town and village centres to use facilities in those slower periods.  The Traffic Management Section Manager noted that in terms of a Local Authority making a Traffic Regulation Order, it was not possible to have such variable charges, however, the private sector was able to do so.  Councillor D Hall gave examples of some areas with broken machines and where improvements could be made, the Traffic Management Section Manager noted colleagues from Regeneration were working with owners to improve the situation.

The Community Economic Development Manager, Wendy Benson thanked the Chair for the opportunity to provide an update and referred to Recommendation Six relating to letting agents’ awareness of the schemes, such as the Target Business Support Scheme, and improving access to such information via the internet.  She explained that information had been sent to letting agents and there had been improved working relations in this regard.  She added there had been changes to the website to give more information on the frontpage, with the Web team overhauling the previous iteration.  In respect of Recommendation Seven and training opportunities for local retailers, the Community Economic Development Manager noted that the take up of such training had been very poor.  She added that such training had been linked to many of the events noted within the VCD presentation, however feedback from the Federation of Small Businesses was that businesses did not wish to train via the Council.  The Community Economic Development Manager noted that this may mean there was a need to commission a training provider, or if the Council were to continue to provide free training, they may wish to introduce a penalty for non-attendance.  Councillor E Adam asked if any reasons had been given as to why businesses did not wish to receive training via the Council.  The Community Economic Development Manager noted the Council was not seen as a training provider, however, on a positive note 62 new businesses had been engaged with since March 2019. 

She added that there were some differences when looking geographically, with events in Seaham having been packed out and events in other areas having no attendees.

The Team Leader Regeneration Projects, Chris Myers noted that in terms of Recommendation Three and the roll out of free public wifi, the equipment was being installed in Bishop Auckland and Stanley with most of the antennae being up, however, the schemes had not yet been launched.

He added that in relation to Recommendation One, the Story Maps developed by colleagues in Spatial Policy had proven to be very useful tools in helping to engage with developers and being able to demonstrate the opportunities in an area.  He added that the feedback received from developers had been very good.

Councillor P Howell noted Recommendation Three also referenced superfast broadband provision and its future progress. The Digital Durham Project Co-ordinator, Alli Walker noted the ongoing work under the Digital Durham programme to extend superfast broadband coverage to properties outside of any future commercial plans.  The launch of a procurement for a third contract was imminent. Announcements of the successful suppliers was expected to be made in April 2020; and the associated planning and delivery to start thereafter.

The Principal Policy Officer, James Cook noted that new data would be available in relation to the Town Centre Surveys for 2019 and this would also include information relating to DCC ownership being set out within the Story Maps.  He added that if there were any requests for specific data to be added he would be more than happy to do so.  The Principal Policy Officer noted the Member Briefing on the 2018 Town Centre Surveys and Story Maps that had taken place and explained he would be happy to provide a similar briefing for Members in terms of the 2019 update.

The Principal Business Rates Officer, John Naylor explained that in reference to Recommendation Eight, re-targeting businesses eligible for Small Business Rate Relief, many had been contacted and this had led to 61 awards of rate relief, and the new “retail discount” available in 2019 had been awarded automatically where possible, with approximately £2.2 million awarded in 2019, affecting 941 accounts.  It was highlighted the webpage for business rates had been redrafted to be clearer and information was promptly updated reflecting any changes affecting available reliefs.

Councillor E Adam asked as regards whether the information applied to all retail and whether we looked to target all businesses in terms of relief.  The Team Leader Assessment and Awards, noted it was all retail, and the Principal Business Rates Officer noted that the statutory function was to apply rate relief and it was not strategy to target, with many processes being hard-set within legislation.

Councillor A Batey noted at the meeting of the Review Group attended by Letting Agents, a lack of knowledge among Agents as regards business rates had been highlighted and asked what work had been undertaken in this regard.  The Community Economic Development Manager noted that, as part of the engagement process, she would provide information in relation to targeted business improvements and also business rates and relief.

The Area Action Partnership Co-ordinator, Andrew Walker noted that all 14 AAPs supported regeneration for our towns and there had been 132 projects linked to town centres, with AAP funding totalling £1.36 million, comprising of Area Budget and Members’ Neighbourhood Budget. 

He added that in relation to the free public access wifi scheme for Barnard Castle, work was ongoing with the AAP, colleagues from Regeneration and Local Elected Members as regards the project.

The Chair thanked all the Officers for their hard work in relation to the progress with the recommendations from the Review and noted all of the good work being carried out.

Resolved:  

(i)      That the update in relation to progress made in relation to the recommendations contained in the Scrutiny Review Report be noted.

(ii)      That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive a further report detailing progress made against the recommendations contained in the Scrutiny Review Report at a future meeting.