Issue - items at meetings - Valley Gardens Consultation & Progress Report

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.            That Committee notes the results of initial scoping consultation and agrees the resulting design brief for the project.

2.            That Committee authorises officers to develop a draft design option(s) ahead of public consultation as set out in the main body of the report and subsequently to bring a preferred and costed option(s) back to Committee for decision.

11.1       The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that provided a progress update on the delivery plan for the enhancement of Valley Gardens.

11.2       The Strategic Director, Place and the Acting Assistant Head of Law proposed that the Committee consider additional wording to recommendation 2.2 to read (shown in bold):

2.2   That Committee authorises officers to develop a draft design option(s) ahead of public consultation as set out in the main body of the report and subsequently to bring a preferred and costed option(s) back to Committee for decision.

11.3       The Chair and Committee agreed to the proposed amendment to recommendation 2.2.

11.4       Councillor Davey thanked officers for the report. He recommended that Members read the Public Realm analysis conducted particularly the information on the number of crossings in the area. Councillor Davey relayed that the Transport Model would be used on the project.

11.5       Councillor West noted that Valley Gardens was a central part of the city landscape that had effectively become a series of traffic islands. He welcomed improvements to the area and hoped it would become a better area to live in and visit.

11.6       Councillor Mitchell supported the proposals and hoped they would enhance the area.

11.7       Councillor Janio noted his support for the project and his agreement with the use of the Transport Model. He hoped the changes would improve traffic flow.

11.8       Councillor Summers expressed her belief that residents and businesses would welcome the proposals and she was pleased that changes to the Pool Valley area were also being examined.

11.9       Councillor Cox noted that he was in favour of the re-development of the area which no longer worked effectively for motorists, cyclists or pedestrians. Councillor Cox referred to the National Gallery in London where similar proposals had been extremely effective.

11.10  Councillor Robins believed the area had suffered from the popularity of the seafront and the proposals would reverse that effect, making Valley Gardens an enjoyable place.

11.11  RESOLVED-

1.            That Committee notes the results of initial scoping consultation and agrees the resulting design brief for the project.

2.            That Committee authorises officers to develop a draft design option(s) ahead of public consultation as set out in the main body of the report and subsequently to bring a preferred and costed option(s) back to Committee for decision.