Agenda item

To confirm the minutes of the Executive Advisory Board meeting held on 23 September 2019.

The minutes of the Executive Advisory Board held on 23 September 2019 were not accepted as a correct record owing to amendments required to PMI14 – Bedford Wharf – Plaza Landscaping, Forward Plan and EAB Work Programme.  The changes are detailed below in italics:

·         It was confirmed that as part of the S106 agreement the Council was obliged   a restorative landscaping scheme.  The Executive had expressed concern at its meeting in January that the public were consulted on what they would like to see and have.  Without a scheme the Council was unable to move forward and could not start taking contributions which would help facilitate future development and mould the Guildford townscape around Bedford Wharf.  The entrance to the station was opposite Walnut Bridge and with high footfall the Council wished to create a safer and more pleasant route for pedestrians.  The Council wanted to work with Solum so that their development fitted with Walnut Bridge. It was confirmed that as part of Walnut Bridge Planning condition (not S106) the council was obliged to deliver a restorative landscaping scheme. 

·         The Board noted that Solum was moving forward, the planning conditions were being discharged and works would start next year.  The landscaping works had to be in place within 6 months of the completion of the consent of the proposed bridge. 

·         The masterplan was in response to a planning application whereby the Council was trying to engage with the public to identify what should be in the public realm.  It was confirmed that the Council had secured £1 million pounds of funding towards public art at Guildford Station.  It was therefore an opportunity to influence the project with Solum as we had not yet discharged those conditions. 

·         The Board considered it was of great concern a shame that if the scheme would not be completed until June 2022 that the Council was not using that time to look at a broader masterplan which encompassed all of Bedford Wharf. 

The Board strongly recommended that the Strategic Town Centre Masterplan was included in the Forward Plan and was actioned as soon as possible.

The Board noted that the Stoke Park Masterplan was due for consideration by Executive at its meeting on 24 September 2019 and the Place Making and Innovation EAB on 21 October 2019.  [post-meeting note: The Stoke Park Masterplan was no longer on the agenda for the Place-Making and Innovation EAB meeting on 21 October]. 

The Board also noted that the Guildford Crowdfunding Proposal was no longer on the agenda for Executive at its meeting on 24 September 2019.

The Board noted its work programme and recommended that a briefing on the Town Centre Masterplan was included as well as it ultimately being considered by the Executive.

The Board also noted that the Special Planning Documents (SPDs) to support the Guildford Local Plan should now be in development and, in light of its role in placemaking and the Council’s commitment to openness and transparency, strongly requested sight of, and involvement in, these at early drafting stage, rather than once completed and put out to consultation.