Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2020 be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Savage declared an ‘other’ interest in agenda items 5 Future High Street Fund (reason: involved with the tourist tram) remained in the meeting but did not speak or vote.

Councillor Todd declared an ‘other’ interest in agenda items 5 Future High Street Fund, 7 Buxton Neighbourhood Plan Designation and 16 Renewal of licence for Buxton market (reason: member of Buxton Town Team Travel Plan, Buxton Neighbourhood Plan Forum and Buxton Markets) and withdrew from the meeting during discussion and voting.

Richard Lovell, Derbyshire County Council, updated members on the Safer Walk and Ride Initiative and mitigating against congestion in Buxton, as part of ongoing regeneration.  A working group of Buxton Town Team members, supported by Borough and County officers had a town wide travel plan and aspirational wish list. Challenges facing any trial included land ownership, consultation and practicalities.  5 potential routes were considered practically deliverable, with long and short term proposals. Funding was available for signing but any travel plan would need to be costed, with shuffle ready projects for when funding was available.

The principle of a travel plan was supported and issues discussed included:

-        Possible routes and land ownership

-        Need for full engagement of ward members and clarification

-        Community safety

-        Possible route conflict where support for bringing back rail routes

-        Plan just covering the main town not surroundings

-        Corporate Plan supporting greener choices

-        Previous plans

RESOLVED: That the update be received with thanks.

Consideration was given to an update on Visitor Economy Strategy (VES) project work and changes for future working.  The effect of the Covid pandemic, University population, recovery programme and regular joint working were discussed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Executive be recommended to adopt the Buxton Visitor Economy Strategy and action plan.

2.     That works to develop ‘Buxton branding’ and proposed roll-out in 2021/2022 be noted.

3.     That changes to future working with stakeholders, following completion of VES project be noted.

4.     That the Executive be recommended to approve the Governance and Terms of Reference for the management of the Buxton Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) as set out in Appendix 2 of the report and subject to approval from Historic England.

Consideration was given to the findings and 29 responses to the consultation on the applications to designate a neighbourhood area and neighbourhood forum for Buxton.

RESOLVED:

1.               That the responses to the consultation and report be noted.

2.               That the recommendations within the report be supported and recommended to the Executive. 

Members were updated on the draft Water in Buxton Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the centre of Buxton and plans for public consultation.  Local Plan policies were discussed.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the purpose and content of the SPD be noted.

2.    That the findings of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report be noted.

Discussion took place on the draft public survey, promotion, stakeholder consultation prior to issue and tight return timescale deadline of 15 February.  Repurposing buildings, partnership working to achieve maximum benefit and population changes were also discussed.  Comments, immediately after the meeting, to make the survey more understandable and usable were welcomed.

RESOLVED:

1.     That officers be thanked for all their hard work within the short timescale for the bid.

2.     That the update be received with thanks.

The National Planning Policy Framework and National Design Code Consultation Proposals would be added to the agenda for 25 March.  A meeting of the Public Transport Working Group, open to all members would be arranged to consider the Train timetable options consultation.  The Covid Recovery Programme and Select Chairs, Vice Chairs, Executive members and officers considering the future work programme were also considered.

RESOLVED: That the updated workprogramme be noted.

No questions raised.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED: That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during

consideration of the following items as there may be disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government

Act 1972.

There was an update on recent progress of the project.

There was an update on the progress of two Homes England funded programmes within the Council’s Accelerated Housing Delivery Programme: (1) the Local Authority Accelerated Construction (LAAC) programme delivering new homes at Granby Road B, Buxton; and (2) the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) programme delivering the Fairfield roundabout.

Consideration was given to bids received for Council owned land known as Granby Road B, Fairfield Buxton.

Consideration was given to a request from Buxton Markets Community Interest Company (CIC) to renew the contract to operate Higher Buxton Market for a further five- year period.