Agenda and minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members

There were no substitute members reported.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 28 June 2022.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 October 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To provide an update on progress on the development of a Cultural Quarter in North Shields as part of the wider Masterplan for the regeneration of the town.

Consideration was given to an update report and presentation which outlined the progress on the development of a Cultural Quarter in North Shields as part of the wider Masterplan for the regeneration of the town.

Following the report to Cabinet of 26 November 2018, An Ambition for North Tyneside, a programme of masterplans was initiated to address issues of regeneration and redevelopment across North Tyneside.  The North Shields Masterplan was the first of these to be completed and was approved by Cabinet on 25 January 2021.  The stated ambition in relation to North Shields Town Centre had been to “create a smaller but more vibrant, high-quality town centre; to create more flexible retail opportunities and expand the evening and weekend economy; to improve public transport and the quality of walking and cycling connections across the town (including better links to Fish Quay); and to raise and improve the quality of the built environment and the quality of public space in North Shields with more of it suitable for hosting events and festivals.”

The development of a North Shields Cultural Quarter had evolved from the successful bid to Historic England to create a Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) and the investment through the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) to create a Cultural and Creative Zone (CCZ), within broadly co-terminus boundaries.

With regard to investment priorities, the core areas for investment in creating the Cultural Quarter were the Saville Exchange, the former Globe Gallery and the current Business Centre, all located at the junction of Howard Street and Saville Street in North Shields.  This targeted investment in key cultural buildings was complemented by the wider public realm investment in Northumberland Square and Howard St, as well as the transformation of the Bedford St area, with a new transport exchange and town square. 

This transformation at the heart of North Shields, would create a ‘cultural corridor’ with stronger connections between the town centre and the Fish Quay.  A programme of new public art, linked to existing public artworks and heritage assets, would also emphasise the cultural narrative associated with the town.  The Levelling Up Fund bid submitted for the Fish Quay would, if successful, add to this transformation and strengthen the concept of an extended cultural zone in North Shields.

In relation to a Cultural and Creative Zone, the NTCA funded project would add to the funding already provided by the Council and HAZ to support the internal building works within the Exchange building, to deliver affordable and fit for purpose spaces and the installation of digital infrastructure across the CCZ area.  There would also be revenue provision for business support to emerging cultural and creative initiatives and funding for an events programme within the CCZ area.

The project was broken down into five work packages as set out below:-

·       WP1: Place:The catalytic investment in the CCZ is the renovation of the Exchange (internal works), an already established music, arts and leisure venue that will act as an anchor for  ...  view the full minutes text for item C&L10/22

6pm on Wednesday 2 November 2022.

6pm on Wednesday 2 November 2022.

It was proposed that the above meeting would be held at a suitable venue in the Borough in consultation with the Chair.