Meeting documents

     POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

     Minutes of the special meeting of the Committee held on

     22 September 1998

     PRESENT

     Cllr S R Billingham (in the Chair)

Cllr Mrs F W Alexander

Cllr Mrs L M Clarke

Cllr D J Coe

Cllr E H Collins

Cllr R B Colomb

Cllr R W Jennings

Cllr Mrs V A Letheren

Cllr Mrs C C Martens

Cllr R J Nagle

Cllr M B Oram

Cllr Mrs P Priestley

Cllr R C Pushman

(Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs E M Barratt MBE JP and D E Done).

* Standing Deputies

Also in Attendance:

Cllr R W A Barber

Cllr J M Blanksby

Cllr D A E Cox

Cllr Mrs K M Draper

Cllr D G Fieldhouse

Cllr A Gielgud

Cllr S H Graham

Cllr Mrs E Hall

Cllr Mrs A Hardy

Cllr A E Hill

Cllr M D Huddy

Cllr Mrs C Mill

Cllr A R Mountford

Cllr C B Oliver

Cllr Mr P O=Rourke

Cllr Mrs K M Peatey JP MBE

Cllr Mrs J Waite

1.     MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 July 1998 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100A (iv) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Minute No. 23 because of its reference to matters which contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 Schedule 12A of the aforementioned Act more particularly as follows.

Minute No. 23 - Paragraph 9 - (Terms Proposed or to be Proposed by the Authority)

2.     WESTERN SECTION RE-DEVELOPMENT

The Committee received a presentation from representatives of one of the interested Anchor Store tenants who outlined the outcome of the research undertaken on behalf of the company in order to assess demand and the potential viability for a department store as part of the proposed Western Sector Redevelopment.

It was noted that the research had involved a series of street interviews comprising some 200 members of the public within an approximate radius of 10 miles from High Wycombe Town Centre.  The research had highlighted the perceived need for the upgrading of shopping facilities in High Wycombe and, in particular, the need for a quality department store in the town.  Based upon these finding anchor store representatives indicated that the Company viewed investment in the Western Sector as a positive addition to investment strategies.

During a general discussion on the presentation, Members welcomed the approach described by the Company and it was noted that discussions were continuing with other interested anchor tenants.  However, it was likely that a decision on the way forward would be made in the near future and Members were supportive of officers expediting the matter through the Steering Group in relation to any negotiations with a prospective Western Sector anchor tenant.

(The meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 8.50pm)

     __________

     CHAIRMAN

The following Officers were in attendance for this meeting:

Mr R J Cummins          Chief Executive & Director of Finance

Mr L Dawson          Head of Valuation Services

Mr J Piddington          Head of Financial Services

Mr M Langham          Conrad Ritblat

Mr P Shearman          Peter Shearman Associates

Mr M Conroy          Principal Administrator Committee Services