Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director for Sustainability and Resources, copy attached as item 14

The Committee had a report before it attached as item 14, which had been circulated to all Members and is attached to a signed copy of these minutes. This report set out background information on the portfolio of the Worthing Cabinet Member for Regeneration to enable the Committee to consider and question the Cabinet Member on issues within their portfolio and any other issues which the Cabinet Member was involved in connected with the work of the Council and the Worthing communities.

A Member asked, “There has been a lot of public concern about the development of Grafton Road car park and uncertainty for local residents and business owners is clearly a factor in that. How do you plan to ensure public engagement in the decisions around development of that site and to secure buy in from those directly affected?”

Members were informed that the Cabinet Member and council officers had a really positive meeting with affected residents and business who were invited into the town hall on 13 February. Engagement would continue with affected parties as they progressed through the development of this critical, town centre site. 

Those stakeholders were told it was just the beginning of a long journey to redevelopment and town centre/seafront regeneration at Grafton, and that the council and then the developer would continue to work with partners throughout the process.

This included, for example, through the planning process, where once an application was submitted the planning authority would consult with all residents and businesses giving the opportunity to speak at any Planning Committee considering proposals for the redevelopment of the site.

A Member asked, “What is a consumer led buzz of change?”

Members were informed that it meant consumer driven work. That a lot was being done with the business community, with a large focus on adapting to changing consumer needs. 

A Member asked, “As you look to the future, how have you planned to overcome the challenges of Grafton Car Park and are these strategies transferable when analysing other car parks across the borough?”

Members were informed that there were a number of complex issues affecting the Grafton multi-storey car park which were unique to the car park, such as the various rights of way across the site to Marks and Spencers and the car park serving Knightsbridge House. Whilst it was unlikely therefore that there was any particular learning from this site that would be directly applicable to other car parks, clarity over ownership; rights of access and site constraints were important considerations whenever redevelopment is being considered.

At a wider level, the Cabinet Member wanted to look at parking in the context of a strategic approach for travel in Worthing that looked at making the most of opportunities to promote active travel and public transport, as well as ensuring that the facilities that were provided for parking were to a decent standard. The Cabinet Member wanted to engage with transport operators and the relevant statutory agencies to ensure that they could offer a co-ordinated approach and that Worthing was at the forefront of opportunities for funding travel improvements in West Sussex.