Agenda and draft minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members.

There were no substitute members appointed.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or nonregisterable 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 interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

You are also requested to 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 previous meeting held on 24 January 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 January 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To examine the Cabinet’s policy priorities for Wallsend Town Centre and the projects included within the draft Wallsend Masterplan to deliver those priorities.

The sub-committee met to examine the Cabinet’s policy priorities for Wallsend Town Centre and the projects included within the draft Wallsend Masterplan to deliver those priorities.

In March 2022, Cabinet had agreed a set of policy priorities for Wallsend Town Centre. These were to:

a)   Improve the quality of the housing offer in Wallsend; in particular making the area a focus of the Mayor and Cabinet’s plans for 5000 affordable homes and tackling some of the poor quality privately rented housing in the Masterplan area;

b)   Make the town centre and the nearby neighbourhoods great places to visit and live; improving the street scene, public spaces and working with partners to make sure people feel safe; and

c)   Make sure Wallsend residents are connected to good jobs; using the full range of tools, including adult education, apprenticeships and the capabilities plus the transport infrastructure around the town to make sure people in the community, who need it, are supported to improve their life chances.

In November 2022, Cabinet had agreed the contents of a draft Wallsend Masterplan to be used as a basis for consultation and engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders. The draft Masterplan contained a series of projects designed to deliver the Cabinet’s policy priorities. The Director of Regeneration and Economic Development, John Sparkes, presented details of the draft Masterplan, the consultation and engagement activities undertaken and an overview of the preliminary findings to emerge from these conversations.

The sub-committee gave consideration to the Cabinet’s policy priorities for Wallsend Town Centre, it assessed the projects contained within the draft Masterplan in terms of delivering the Cabinet’s priorities and considered the emerging feedback from residents, businesses and other stakeholders from the consultation.

Members expressed support for the ambition for Wallsend and the detailed projects contained within the Masterplan.

The sub-committee queried what provision would be contained within the plan for the maintenance of the improvements to ensure that the condition of the new facilities did not quickly deteriorate. It was stated that the design of the improvements would have to have regard to suitable and affordable materials which would be easy to maintain and that the designs should be signed off by a range of stakeholders to ensure that they promoted the Council’s wider ambitions in terms of the environment, community safety and health and wellbeing. It was stated that recent works in North Shields had demonstrated that the first 12 months were critical in securing and safeguarding any improvements, when investment in planting was particularly vulnerable.

The sub-committee discussed the potential of Segedunum Roman Fort to enhance its offer and to attract visitors to Wallsend. It was confirmed that there was scope for improved car parking and space for outdoor events at the site. Reference was made to the growing market for campervan and motorhome sites and whether such a facility could be developed at or near Segedunum. Such a facility would be particularly attractive if it included access to the River Tyne. The sub-committee discussed the limited  ...  view the full minutes text for item EP26/22