Agenda item

The Committee received an introduction from Councillor Horrill which provided an update on the Central Winchester Regeneration Project.  Councillor Horrill emphasised that she was looking for the process to be collaborative across the political groups, to involve residents and to engage with interested parties.  Advisory Panels would also be established to extend the process of engagement.

The Head of Programme outlined the report to the Committee, covering items including an archaeology, meanwhile uses, the improvements to the existing estate and public realm, movement strategy, key partnerships and stakeholders, delivery options and viability and governance and engagement going forward.

In summary, the following matters were raised by Members and the Chairman responded as set out below:

How the outputs from the Archaeology Advisory Panel would be fed into the plans going forward.

The Panel would be meeting with those that had raised concerns, would be holding public sessions and there would be the opportunity for members of the Committee to talk informally with members of the Panel.

Would the Advisory Panel for the refurbishment of Coitbury House take into consideration the requirements of prospective tenants.

The Advisory Panel would assist the Council in terms of design and presentation of the building.  Consideration could then be given to finding the most appropriate user and to make decisions as to whether it required light refurbishment or something more fundamental.  It was envisaged that this project would take 6-12 months to complete.

The membership of the Advisory Panels and their consultative role.

Local experts could act as advisors if they did not have a commercial or other prejudicial interest in future contracts or the area.  The experience of other projects would also be taken into consideration.   Advisory Panels would also be consultative and be supported by expert advice as necessary, for example in ensuring a good design.  The Advisory Panel’s membership would include Councillors.  All advice flowing from the Panels would be considered by the Strategic Director: Place, project team and this Committee.

The proposals for paving and surfacing, including the Broadway, should be well designed and be coherent.

The designs would be taken forward in consultation with Hampshire County Council (who had been involved in good schemes elsewhere).  The brief would include on-going maintenance following installation.

The Winchester Movement Strategy

All councillors would have the opportunity to participate and comment on the emerging Movement Strategy.

The Urban Delivery Report

Information in this background report would be considered in developing the approach to project delivery, which would form the subject of a report to this Committee in September 2018.

The Design Programme should be divided into different parcels which were manageable and coherent.

The Strategic Director: Place replied that there was now a coherent vision, articulated in the SPD, which was shared and widely supported. The priority now was for that vision to be delivered through short term improvements and a longer term delivery approach. 

The Committee agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the Report. 

RESOLVED:

1.             That the contents of the report be noted.

2.             That the commissioning of further work on delivery options and viability for the Central Winchester Regeneration project be approved.

3.             That the principles that underpin the governance structure and the creation of the first three Advisory Panels be approved.