The Strategic Programmes and Asset Manager introduced the report as set out in the agenda papers.

The Chair invited Members to make comments and ask questions, and these included:

·         Welcomed the report;

·         referred to the table at paragraph 2.2 (page 26) of the report, which set out the number of vacant properties in the three main town centres in Swale, and noted that Sittingbourne had a significantly higher number of vacant properties than Sheerness and Faversham;

·         vacancies in Sittingbourne appeared to be particularly concentrated from the former cinema building through to Roman Square and noted that units within the Bell Centre had remained vacant for approximately 18 years;

·         considered the Council should explore enforcement and legal options to address long-term vacant properties and questioned whether powers existed to require owners to occupy, lease or sell premises;

·         asked whether funding linked to the heritage strategy could be used to strengthen enforcement activity where breaches had occurred;

·         raised concern that many residents did not feel safe visiting Sittingbourne Town Centre and stressed the need to address these perceptions;

·         acknowledged the negative impact that online shopping had on town centres;

·         expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of planning enforcement and the purported lack of action on some breaches;

·         disappointed that Sittingbourne would not be receiving a Town Council, which could have acted as a custodian of the High Street;

·         external funding opportunities would be important in supporting town centre improvements;

·         highlighted the need to improve access to town centres to increase footfall;

·         raised concerns that some premises in Sittingbourne High Street may be being used for money laundering, which could deter legitimate businesses from operating in the area;

·         highlighted a lack of action relating to street furniture;

·         noted that business rates remained a contributing factor to town centre challenges;

·         raised concerns that reductions in rural bus services had negatively affected footfall in town centres;

·         noted the success of Faversham Town Council’s Community Hopper bus service and suggested that a similar model could be trialled elsewhere where parish funding was available;

·         identified fly-posting as a particular issue within Sittingbourne High Street;

·         Members should report any concerns regarding money laundering to Kent Trading Standards;

·         asked whether funding was available for a dedicated town centre improvement or “spruce-up” role within the Council; and

·         emphasised the importance of working with partners, including SUEZ, to identify opportunities to improve the appearance of town centres.

The Chair requested that the Strategic Programmes and Asset Manager liaised with Kent Trading Standards regarding concerns about potential money laundering activities in premises located within Sittingbourne High Street. 

Following the discussion the following motions were proposed:

The Vice-Chair proposed the following motion: That officers explored the resource requirements to introduce High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) and discussed with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Economy & Property Committee prior to the budget-setting process and where appropriate, work in partnership with Town and Parish Councils to identify suitable premises with a view to pulling together a list where these powers could be utilised.  This was seconded by Councillor Palmer and, on being put to the vote, was agreed by Members.

The Vice-Chair proposed the following motion:  That the Policy & Resources Committee considered the heritage strategy funding that had been set aside and explore whether it could be used to strengthen enforcement within the Council’s existing Conservation Areas and support enforcement under the forthcoming Area of Special Control of Advertisements (ASCA) provisions.  This was seconded by the Chair, and upon being put to the vote, was agreed by Members.

The Chair proposed the following motion:  That the Environmental Services & Climate Change Committee looked to encourage the Council’s waste contractor to support community groups in their efforts to clean up the public realm, and in particular our town centres, including removal of flyposting and targeted event days in each town centre.  This was seconded by the Vice-Chair, and on being put to the vote, was agreed by Members.

The Vice-Chair proposed the following motion:  That the Chair of the Economy & Property Services Committee writes to the Government requesting that all areas which received Pride in Place Impact Funding be awarded a further round of Pride in Place Impact Funding, and that a proportion of this funding be provided as revenue funding.  This was seconded by Councillor Shiel, and on being put to the vote, was agreed by Members.

Resolved:

(1)      That the content of the report be noted.

(2)      That officers explored the resource requirements to introduce High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) and discuss with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Economy & Property Committee prior to the budget-setting process and where appropriate, work in partnership with Town and Parish Councils to identify suitable premises with a view to pulling together a list where these powers could be utilised.

(3)      That the Policy & Resources Committee considered the heritage strategy funding that has been set aside and explored whether it could be used to strengthen enforcement within the Council’s existing Conservation Areas and support enforcement under the forthcoming Area of Special Control of Advertisements (ASCA) provisions.

(4)      That the Environmental Services & Climate Change Committee looked to encourage the Council’s waste contractor to support community groups in their efforts to clean up the public realm, and in particular our town centres, including flyposting and targeted event days in each town centre. 

(5)     That the Chair of the Economy & Property Services Committee writes to the Government requesting that all areas which received Pride in Place Impact Funding be awarded a further round of Pride in Place Impact Funding, and that a proportion of this funding be provided as revenue funding.