Agenda and minutes

The following substitutions were made:-

-       Councillor L Swindlehurst for Councillor Pascall

-       Councillor Barks for Councillor Smith

-       Councillor Roberts for Councillor Emery

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 January 2024 be approved

There were no urgent items of business.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

No interests were declared.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

Question received from Councillor Haines:

Q1. “What is the Portfolio Holder’s view on the importance of markets in our towns?”

Response from Councillor M Swindlehurst, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Tourism:-

Markets are hugely important to the success and vibrancy of our town centres. Markets are central to the local community and shape the identity of our town;  acting as a centrepiece that attracts shoppers, visitors and businesses. They create employment and entrepreneurship; providing opportunities for small, local, independent businesses to thrive.

As shopping habits have changed, our town centres have changed. People want an experience, they seek out places for leisure, culture, food and drink, and where people can meet and spend time with friends and family. Hence we are keen to invest in markets to reflect the changing customer habits and to ensure that the markets offer broad range of products and services; an offer that meets the needs and expectations of a wide range of customers and clientele and provides a platform new business and entrepreneurs to grow and develop.

Markets are rooted in our local heritage and are central to our cultural identify so it’s imperative they reflect our history and place as a space for communities to come together and local businesses to thrive. We are keen to build strong relationships with town councils in this regard.  

In response to a question around the progress of purchasing Cheadle Market, the Portfolio Holder advised that the firm expression of interest from the previous administration would still be explored should the opportunity present itself.

The Portfolio Holder further advised that there was a core commitment to raise the profile of the three towns and the markets were at the heart of this economic strategy.

Question received from Councillor Hoptroff:

Q2. “The Council's Tourism Strategy has a key objective to increase overnight stays. Does the Council have an operational plan on how this might be achieved?”

Response from Councillor M Swindlehurst, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Tourism:-

Tourism is vitally important to the economic success and prosperity of the District. The tourism data shows extremely positive results for us following the pandemic which hit the tourism and hospitality really hard.

As an example, the economic impact of the visitor economy in 2022 was £498million.  This represents a 62.5% increase on 2021 and an increase of 19.2% on pre-pandemic figures (2019).  Much of this growth can be attributed to the ‘outdoor offer’ we have as well as our welcoming towns and villages offering a range of accommodation and a wealth of tearooms and pubs to explore after a long walk in the great outdoors.

Data shows that staying visitor figures are up 18.3% on 2021, with an average stay of 2.5 days. We however want to keep striving for improvements – improving the quality and range of visitor accommodation, as set out in our Tourism Strategy.  We continue to invest in tourism through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We are working alongside colleagues at County a hotel and visitor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

DECIDED:

1)    That the Work Programme be noted;

2)    For an item on Street Furniture to be added;

3)    For the Local Visitor Economy Partnership Project Pathway be added

Members received a presentation from AES which covered:

·       Reflections

·       SMDC Waste and Fleet

·       Street Cleansing

·       Finance

·       Saving Plan update

·       Future Developments and Continuous Improvements

·       Simpler Recycling

·       Fowlchurch Depot Development

Members thanked AES for the Annual update.

Members discussed appropriate relocation of bins after collection, stickers for bins approved for dog waste and the pick-fit scheme.

Further discussions were held on recycling, the efficiency of schemes, the need for consultations with residents and groups in the area of the Fowlchurch redevelopment.

Further discussions took place concerning the use of pesticides and available alternatives, highway gully emptying, weekly food collections (including resources, food caddies, kerbside bins and anaerobic digestion), household recycling and recycling bins in public areas.

RESOLVED:

That the update be received and noted.

The Chair to move:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

Members received a presentation on the Levelling Up Fund Update which provided an overview of the progress made to the programme since September.