Gosport Borough Council Economic Development Board Meeting

Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillor Casey and Councillor Furlong.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on the 17 November 2021 and the 9 February 2022 be signed as a true and correct record.

There were none.

There were none.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Streetscene and the Head of Planning and Regeneration and Assistant to the Chief Executive updating the Economic Development Board on the six month Park and Float Trail which concluded on the 31^St December 2021.

The Board recognised that the report was for noting and that it had been a good trial that had not lost money but had unfortunately been impacted by the Covid pandemic.

The Board noted the report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer and the Housing Manager setting out a concessions policy for the Council, together with proposals for the Council to operate new pilot concessions this summer.

The Board was advised that there was one minor update to the recommendation to amend the start date of the consultation to the 18^th March, not the 19^th.

The Board recognised that a lot of effort had gone into the paper and the review of the Council’s assets. The pilot would allow for the opportunity to test the success of concessions over the summer period.

Members welcomed the consultation and requested that consideration be given to making hard copies of the survey available in places such as the hubs and the library. It was acknowledged that the consultation was not statutory and would be publicised using the Council’s communication methods.

The Board was advised that the aim of the consultation was to establish which concessions were wanted in the Borough and in what location.

In answer to a Member’s question there would be conditions on any award should the concession holder not be able to fulfil their commitment, any change in vendor would need the Council’s permission. In addition before any locations were determined, considerations would be given to the impact other businesses in the area.

The criteria for each concession would be dependent on the type of concession being considered.

The Board was advised that the existing Ice Cream concessions were in place until 2023 the concessions policy would then be include the existing concessions for Ice Cream vans.

It was recognised that there need to be a clear policy on concessions and that the policy would offer applicants clarity and be transparency in the process.

The pilot would be for three concessions, hot food, cold food and ancillary nautical goods such as beachwear.

RESOLVED: That the Board approves the attached draft Concessions Policy for public consultation and gives delegated authority to the Head of Housing in consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive and the Borough Solicitor & Monitoring Officer to:

i)      undertake a public consultation of the draft Concessions Policy, such public consultation to commence on 18 March 2022; and

ii)     develop and advertise proposals for three new concessions to be operated in the Borough on a pilot basis for the summer of 2022, and to award concessions to the successful bidders.

The Chairman thanked Members and Officers for their contributions over the past municipal year and wished all of those, standing for re-election or stepping down, well.

RESOVED: That in relation to the following item the public be excluded from the meeting, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12a to the Local Government Act 1972 and further that in all circumstances of the cases, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the report.