Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Slade.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 December 2015 were agreed as a true record.

Powerpoint Presentation on Market Charters by Clive Othen, Chair of Renaissance Group

The report provided an update on the Brentwood Borough Renaissance Group 2015/16 Workplan Budget and progress on projects and initiatives.

On  4 March 2015 Council approved the budget for 2015/16.

Cllr Cloke MOVED and Cllr Mrs Rowlands SECONDED the recommendation within the report and following a full discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

To note the updated Brentwood Borough Renaissance Group 2015/16 Workplan Budget (Appendix A) and progress made on projects and initiatives.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

For the committee to agree the 2015/16 BB Renaissance Group Workplan Budget.

Following consideration of the previous item, a presentation was made to the Committee by Clive Othen, Chair of Brentwood Borough Renaissance Group, regarding  the history of the Brentwood Market Charters, the display of which was to be part-funded by the Renaissance Group.

Mr Othen was thanked for his presentation and Members made proposals on suitable sites for public display of the Charters.

The report provided an update on the review to the Street Trading and Market Policy and consultation process agreed by the Planning and Licensing  Committee on 19 January 2016,  prior to consideration of any representations and full adoption on 12 April 2016.

Members noted that four responses to the consultation had been received and were being considered by Licensing Officers.  The outcome would be reported back at the 12 April 2016 Planning and Licensing Committee.

Cllr Cloke MOVED and Cllr Tee SECONDED the recommendation in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands.  It was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

Members note the progress on the Street Trading and Market Policy as attached at Appendix A and consultation prior to reconsideration and final adoption in April 2016.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

1.         Members were requested to note the progress relating to the policy revision on the basis that whilst relevant in terms of the work of this Committee and a matter of importance to the borough and its residents, delegation of all functions relating to  licensing and licensing policy decision making fell within the remit of Planning and Licensing Committee.

2.         The updated policy continued to promote the interest of local shops whilst providing better clarity for market traders.  It also gave greater flexibility over goods that market traders might sell, for example, they were restricted by the new policy from selling known brand label goods, which would normally be expected to be sold by shops.  However, that allowed market traders the freedom to sell most other types of goods subject to some minor exclusions, whether these were duplications or not.

The report provided an update on the achievements of the Economic Development function of the Council in 2015/16 and outlined plans for future projects and initiatives for 2016/2017.

Cllr Parker MOVED and Cllr Mrs Rowlands SECONDED  the recommendation in the report and following a full discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was

 RESOLVED UNANMOUSLY

That Members note the report, the progress made on key initiatives and the future projects and initiatives planned.

Officers were congratulated on the progress they had made with proposed initiatives.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

The recommendation to note the progress ED Function of the Council had made and details of the future projects and initiatives proposed supported and would drive forward the Economic Development Strategy and enable delivery of the associated thematic priorities.

At Ordinary Council on 27 January 2016, Councillor Russell’s amended motion regarding resident parking in Westbury Avenue was carried, which read:

‘Recognising that some residents have difficulty finding space to park their vehicles in Tower Hill, Westbury Road, Weald Road and Sir Francis Way and that Westbury Road and Sir Francis Way season ticket car parks are not used in the evenings and weekends. Brentwood Borough Council will explore the availability at these of making these car parks available  to the residents and their visitors at these times through a resident parking permit scheme.

A report would come forward to the Economic Development Committee for a final decision.  Also recognising that residents had difficulty finding space to park their vehicles in King Edwards Road, Alexandra Road, Rose Valley and Gresham Road the Council owned car park lot on King Edward Road is also similarly explored’.

Members noted that, whilst there were a number of car parks near to Westbury Road,  due to the Council’s parking orders these could not currently be used. Therefore there would need to be a change to the orders to accommodate any resident parking.

Cllr Parker MOVED and Cllr Ms Rowlands SECONDED the recommendation in the report.

Cllr Kendall MOVED and Cllr Mynott SECONDED an AMENDMENT which was ACCEPTED by Cllr Parker.

Following a  discussion, a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.     That Members agree to develop a parking strategy which would look at the wider issues relating to resident parking in Brentwood.

2.     To investigate a pilot scheme for residents’ parking in Westbury Road and Sir Francis Way Car Parks and for this to be reported on at a future committee meeting.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To develop a longer- term solution to parking.

The report before Members presented a draft of the Borough Council’s Economic Development Strategy Work Plan  and outlined potential future objectives and initiatives for 2016 onwards.  These were put forward to promote discussion and facilitate debate.

Cllr  Ms Rowlands MOVED and Cllr Tee SECONDED  the recommendations in the report and following a discussion  a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED  UNANIMOUSLY to:

1.         Note the draft Economic Development Strategy Plan for 2016

2.         Agree to establish a cross party working group to prepare and recommend an agreed revised Economic Development Strategy.  This group would comprise 4 Conservatives, 2 Lib Dems and 1 Labour.  The group would be chaired by Councillor Kerslake.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

The recommendation was to agree the refresh of the Economic Development Strategy Work Plan in order that it would align strategically with the new Corporate Plan  ‘ Vision for Brentwood’ and the Brentwood Draft Local Plan.  The objectives and initiatives proposed would support and drive forward the Economic Development priority of the Council’s Corporate Plan and the Economic prosperity priorities of the Draft Local Plan.

There was no urgent business, however, the Chair and Members of the Committee thanked Roy Ormsby, Head of Street Scene and Environment, for his support and conveyed their good wishes since he was to leave the Council’s employ at the end of April 2016.

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The meeting ended at 20:40hrs.