Minutes:
The Leader began by welcoming Councillor Forbes, noting that he was a former District Councillor and Chairman.
The Leader drew Member's attention to a bid that the Council has submitted to the Government for the Levelling Up Fund. The bid is related to Burgess Hill Town Centre with £14m based on 3 investments to add to the vitality of the town. This includes the Martlets Shopping Centre to accelerate redevelopment in line with planning permission permitted, further sustainable transport improvements in the centre and a digital hub to leverage investments in the gigabit full fibre infrastructure. He noted that local Members of Parliament are fully supportive of the bid, and the Government’s decision is due in September 2021.
The Leader announced the appointment of Councillor Salisbury as the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning effective from 1 July 2021. He acknowledged that Councillor Salisbury would therefore resign as Chairman of the District Planning Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Council. These roles will be appointed at subsequent meetings.
The Leader provided an update on the Housing and Planning Portfolio which included the public examination of the Site Allocations DPD in June 2021. The Inspector concluded hearings following days of scrutiny and public consultation and is now considering all representations. A letter with his decision and the next steps for the Council to follow is due in late summer 2021.
Two Members thanked the Leader and Head of Digital and Customer Services for the information they have shared regarding the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid. Assurances were sought that if the bid is successful there will be wider Member and public consultation and engagement with the project and a defined demarcation between the deployment of public and private monies. Also, that the landlord New River Reit will be legally required to delivery its share of investment alongside deployment of public funds. The Leader confirmed that wider consultation will take place on the newer aspects of the bid and noted that when putting together a bid such as this, the Council seeks to draw on projects that already has policy and Member support, for example the Town Centre Regeneration and sustainable transport work. Regarding the deployment of funding and delivery, there will be significant due diligence to secure the bid outcomes and one criteria is that projects should be in a position to start on site in current financial year. New River Reit are supporting the bid and therefore have entered into the commitments required by the criteria. If the bid is successful, the Council will work closely with the Government to ensure a robust delivery plan.
He also acknowledged a Members’ concern about the relocation of smaller businesses within the town centre if the bid is successful. With regards to a query on the proposal for a tower block in the town, he noted that planning consent had been agreed and that the future of town centres inevitable includes more accommodation which will contribute positively to the vitality and sustainability of the location.