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'Barnard Castle Vision-One North East Meetings'.
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BARNARD CASTLE VISION STEERING GROUP MEETING 7th MARCH 2007
MINUTES
Attendees
Neil Stokell Teesdale DC
Trevor Honeyman Enterprise Agency
Shaun Stuart LSP Economic Theme Group
Cllr Robinson TDC Councillor
Harvey Dowdy One North East
Emma Speight One North East
Sue Berresford Teesdale DC
Trevor Watson Teesdale Planning
Andrew Walker Durham County Council
Yvonne Edwards Durham County Council
Steve Potter EKOS Consulting
Andrew Lord EKOS Consulting
Apologies
David Blackie Teesdale Marketing
Kingsley Smith Durham County Council
Kirsten Francis One North East
Bob Ward Durham County Council
Kate Culverhouse LSP
Trevor Watson Teesdale District Council
Vision Report
EKOS provided an overview of the main changes which had been made to the draft report. These were as follows:
Addition on the exec summary;
Changes to the main Vision diagram;
Investment opportunities now organised by theme;
The addition of the development framework in tabular format;
Chapter 3 is arranged by objectives; and
The investment opportunities are now arranged by theme in chapter 4.
A discussion of the draft vision took places with the following key points:
Most of the projects listed in the development framework appeared to be short term projects. The consultants realised that this was a formatting error on the “development framework” table rather than reality, and will re-issue the table accordingly.
Action - EKOS
The need to have an easily readable document for the general public was raised. The consultants agreed to produce re-formatted Executive Summary, revisit font sizes and the text on illustrative work.
Action - EKOS / BDP
It was agreed that the maps on pages 52 and 53 with the investment opportunities should also be included in the exec summary to make it more visually appealing to the general public.
Action - EKOS / BDP
It was agreed that the maps on pages 52 and 53 should be renamed to be called development opportunities rather than proposed projects.
Action - EKOS / BDP
It was agreed that the Hole in the Wall project would stay within the document, but that it should be worded to reflect the fact that it may be just one outcome of a full retail capacity assessment.
Action - EKOS / BDP
On the development framework it was agreed that the column titled “funding sources” should be re-named “proposed funding sources”. Additional text to be added stating that these are only potential funding sources.
Action - EKOS / BDP
The New Council Offices should be re-titled Council Accommodation Strategy.
Action - EKOS / BDP
Reference should be made to ensuring there is adequate capacity to deliver the Witham Hall project.
Action - EKOS / BDP
These were the main comments on the Draft Vision - The Steering Group agreed that once the above changes were made, the project could go out to consultation and that the latest fee payment could be released to EKOS.
Consultation
The next phase of the meeting involved a discussion on the draft vision consultation arrangements.
It was noted that all consultation should be completed by 26th March to avoid the period of purdah leading up to local elections.
It was agreed that consultation on the draft vision should include the following:
Young People's Event - To be arranged in liaison with YMCA / UTASS / Schools.
Questionnaire Survey of Businesses - principally via email of business contacts obtained via Shaun Stuart.
2 days of public consultation - principally a drop in session with handouts of the exec summary and opportunity to feedback. Ideally these would take place on Wednesday and Saturday if possible.
Retailer specific consultation - probably at 5.30pm / 6pm on the day of the public consultation.
LSP specific consultation - Economic Theme Group members to be invited (rather than holding a specific event).
Members and Officers Briefing - Single event to be arranged covering Town, District and County Councils.
Parish forum consultation - Monday 12th March pm.
EKOS to arrange events and circulate note to steering group.
Action - EKOS / BDP
EKOS to liaise with NS regarding additional resource implications of enhanced consultation.
Action - EKOS / BDP
It was agreed that extensive advertising of the public consultation event(s) would be required. Local press releases and ONE / Durham CC press releases would be used.
The Parish Forum would take place on Monday 12th March, whilst subject to availability / locations the public consultation would take place during w/c 19th March.
Andrew Lord would liaise with Sue Berresford to organise the consultations, and would keep the Steering Group informed of progress.
The original submission allowed for one day of public consultation - EKOS would submit a request for fees to undertake any additional consultation over and above this.
Emma Speight would also provide an update to the ONE north East Regeneration Committee in mid-April.
Action - Emma Speight
Economic Strategy
EKOS provided a brief update on progress with the Teesdale Economic Strategy / Employment Land Review.
This piece of work was very much a Teesdale DC study, though would need to link with the Barnard Castle Vision work. An initial draft has been sent to Neil Stokell and others. Changes will be made to this over the coming weeks following discussions and the aim is to complete the report by 25th March.
A.O.B.
The next Steering Group Meeting has been arranged for Friday 13th April pm subject to confirmation.
Cassie Houlden is now on maternity leave, so any future correspondence should go through Andrew Lord or Steve Potter:
Telephone - 0845 644 3023
Andrew Lord - [email address]
Steve Potter - [email address]
Address - EKOS Consulting, Virginia House, 7 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AD
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