Meeting documents

Any changes will be reported at the meeting.

Councillor P Cooper substituted for Councillor T Hunter-Watts

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2016, copy attached as Appendix A.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2016 be approved as a correct record subject to the following amendments:-

That in paragraph 6 of the item relating to Waterside North the town of Oxford should replace Hemel Hempstead.

Also, the item relating to Aylesbury Vale Broadband (AVB) was in the opinion of one of the committee members not satisfactorily answered, therefore at the next update on AVB the Chairman will repeat the question to the presenter.

To consider the attached report.

Contact Officer Tracey Aldworth – 01296 585003

Members were provided with an update from representatives of the Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP) in relation to the Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone (AVEZ).

In late 2015 BTVLEP made a submission with the support of AVDC for an Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone which was accepted by central Government. This reflected the partnership working between AVDC, BCC, BTVLEP, Silverstone Park, Westcott Venture Park and Arla. It was recognised that enterprise zones were an important part of the Government’s programme for devolving responsibility for leadership of local growth to Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop the local economy.

Businesses that based themselves in enterprise zones could access up to 100% business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per annum over a five year period for qualifying occupiers. The benefit could only be offered up to March 2022, from which point it would taper off until March 2027. Enterprise zones could also benefit from 100% retention of business rate growth for the LEPs to reinvest in development in the zones. There were further benefits regarding business rates for the LEP, Local Authorities and landowners which were outlined in the report to the committee.

The Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone comprised:-

·         Westcott Venture Park – only the Space Propulsion element of the site formed part of the enterprise zone. Westcott had both the recognition and support of the European and UK Space Agencies and BTVLEP had been working actively with the agencies regarding plans for investment on the site. It was also hoped that a major space engineering company would be locating to Westcott by March 2017.

·         Silverstone – only the undeveloped site K formed part of the enterprise zone. It was hoped that with enterprise zone recognition, development of the site would be accelerated and be able to attract businesses earlier than normal.

·         Woodlands – there were both areas on consented and unconsented land. The consented area of land covered the Arla development and the unconsented area was being led by Buckinghamshire Advantage. It was intended that this site would focus on food and drink, health and care related activities. A planning application was being prepared for the non Arla part of the site and would include both residential and employment uses.

LEPs were the governing body with responsibility for overseeing the development of enterprise zones but they were expected to work closely with the local authorities in which the zones were based. Each site would have a flexible Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that should last until 2020. The MoU needed to be signed off by BTVLEP, the landowners and the local authorities.

The Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone Strategic Board would manage the progress of the zone and would comprise local authorities in whose area the zone was based, landowners and a private sector LEP Board member.

The Board would be responsible for:-

·         Ensuring that the Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Zone was able to maximise the potential of this location to benefit Buckinghamshire;

·         Managing Delivery of the strategic vision;

·         Overseeing marketing and co-ordination of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the attached report. A presentation will be given at the meeting.

Contact Officer Teresa Lane 01296 585006

Members were given an update on the work of the Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership.

The partnership was a thriving organisation which supported the Aylesbury town centre business community and helped to improve and promote the town to encourage more footfall and investment.

The Town Centre team consisted of three part time members of staff, including the Markets Manager, who delivered the business plan on behalf of and worked with the Partnership members.

The Partnership was currently financed from a number of sources with AVDC being the majority funder.

The Town Centre Manager presented a summary of the Partnership achievements over the previous twelve months and highlighted key elements to be included in the business plan for the forthcoming year. These included:-

·         Maintaining a dynamic partnership

·         Supporting & enabling business development

·         Environmental enhancements

·         Managing & developing Markets

·         Creating vibrant public spaces & managing/promoting their use

·         Influencing the future development of the town and supporting the businesses involved

Members raised concerns about people parking on and around Kingsbury creating difficulty for public exhibitions and entertainment. Members were advised that the PSPO had taken a while to come through so strategically placed planters were currently deterring people from parking on the square but not working particularly well. It was also stated that the Town Centre team would need training before the PSPO was put into place. The closing off of the upper part of the High Street was successful and been used for various activities.

Members asked about the refurbishment of Sainsbury’s, the use of the old cinema on Cambridge Street and who was taking over the former BHS retail space. They were informed that the refurbishment of Sainsbury’s in the Town Centre was also tied in to their Gatehouse development. It was anticipated that they would be putting in an application before the end of December 2016. Churchill homes were responsible for the old cinema site and development was slow. There were some retailers interested in the former BHS retail unit but it was too early to say what was occurring and who had shown interest.

Members enquired about what facilities were available to Teenagers in Aylesbury. Members were informed that Aylesbury was above average for these types of facilities compared to other towns of a similar size. The current facilities consisted of cinema, swimming, tennis, skate parks, bowling, Rogue racing, youth groups and under 18 nights at various pubs in the town. It was stated that any operator who might come forward with other leisure facilities such as an ice rink or climbing wall would be welcomed. Currently under development was a youth market in conjunction with local Schools, Colleges and Universities along with Youth groups such as Young Enterprise. A new app was also being developed with and for young people to help promote the town for their age group.

Members asked about the retail food outlets along the canal underneath the University and the updating of the Aylesbury arm of the canal. The Members were advised that the restaurant space had not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.