Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Janet Tait.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

 There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the Local Growth Scrutiny Committee meeting on 20^th April 2022.

Moved by Councillor David Dixon and seconded by Councillor Derek Adams.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Local Growth ScrutinyCommittee held on 20 April be approved as a correct record.

(Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List of

Key Decisions for any further information.  NB: If Members wish to discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the meeting only).

Committee considered the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document.

Moved by Councillor David Dixon and seconded by Councillor Derek Adams.

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document be noted.

Committee considered their proposed work programme for 2022/23.  Members agreed to switch the items tabled for August and October given the current situation with vacant units in Bolsover Town Centre.

The Assistant Director of Development & Planning advised of the lead officer and Member in relation to HS2 but noted that there was clear confirmation the phase affecting Bolsover was not going ahead.  Officers were waiting for further detail from HS2 in relation to land and buildings affected by works to date.

Moved by Councillor Derek Adams and seconded by Councillor David Dixon

RESOLVED that the Work Programme 2022/23 be approved and noted.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)

Verbal report

The Assistant Director of Development & Planning gave Members a verbal progress update on the Business Growth Strategy.  Core areas of progress included the following:

Cllr Adams questioned if it was possible for a committee or working group to be in place to support the tourism development work.

It was agreed that a closer working relationship was needed to enable the Council to build a better understanding of the local profile/tourism offer and a better understanding of the holiday accommodation available.  It was noted that a glamping pods had recently set up in the Stanfree area and there was the potential to redevelop part of the Oxcroft Miners Welfare site

Cllr Kirkham queried the planned delivery via Prop Tech II and the Digital Planning improvements.

It was noted that a large part of what was to be delivered was pre-determined by the funding schemes.  It was recommended that the Interim Planning Policy Manager attend to brief Members on the work taking  ...  view the full minutes text for item LOC7-21/22

Verbal report/discussion item

The Business Growth Manager outlined the priorities for the two new funding streams and how Bolsover hoped to benefit.

Shared Prosperity Fund

£1.96m has been agreed for the Bolsover area over the next 3 years:

• Year 1 (22/23) - £238k
• Year 2 (23/24) - £476k
• Year 3 (24/25) - £1.248m

The Fund is structured around three themes:

A working group has been set up to improve the economic outputs of the District.  The Council is required to submit its proposed Investment Plan for the funding by end of August.  From a long list of potential projects a shorter list of deliverables is currently being agreed.

The Growth related priorities that have been put forward for selection are:

If these are all chosen, £1.2m of the £1.96m will be directed at growth and there is clear agreement to focus on a smaller number of bigger impact schemes.  Lots of information has been gathered from businesses via the grant distribution process during the pandemic which is helping to shape this future delivery.

Levelling Up Fund

Officers were currently working on proposals with a submission deadline of 6^th July.  The focus of the submission will be Bolsover Town with specific emphasis on the purchase, demolition and redevelopment of the Coop site.  Ideas in the proposal focus on:

• Diversification of the high street
• Development of an art/exhibition space, to include pop-up exhibits
• A theatre/performance space including cinema screen
• Indoor Market area
• A soft play area
• A café/food vendor’s area – this could be similar to venues in Sheffield  ...  view the full minutes text for item LOC8-21/22

Members discussed their possible recommendations for their current Review of Integration of Social Value and agreed additional actions required.