Agenda item - Response to the Seafront Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel

(a)       Extract from the proceedings of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on the 22^nd January 2015, together with a joint report of the Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing and the Assistant Chief Executive and the report of the Seafront Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (copies attached);

(b)       Extract from the proceedings of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on  held on the 19^th March 2015 (copy to follow), together with a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached).

74.1         Councillor Mitchell welcomed the response to the Scrutiny Panel’s report and stated that the future of the seafront and the challenge to maintain it should not be underestimated.  She thanked the Panel Members for their work on the review and looked forward to the future report on the seafront infrastructure that had been agreed as part of the response to the Panel’s recommendations.

74.2         Councillor J. Kitcat noted that the matter had been well debated at the Policy & Resources Committee meeting and the importance of the seafront to the city’s infrastructure and success was recognised.  He hoped that the recommendations would be addressed and that further improvements would be made.

74.3         Councillor Brown thanked everyone involved with the Scrutiny Panel and stated that there was a need to regenerate the seafront.  The panel had noted that there were areas of success with aspects having had investment, but there was a need to continue that work and to identify a regular income stream to support the necessary work into the future.  It was a huge challenge and one that the council needed to tackle collectively.

74.4         Councillor Smith stated that the seafront was the lifeblood of the city and needed to be cared for.  Whilst some aspects had seen improvements such as the arches and band stand, others remained neglected and there had been disappointments with potential developments not progressing.  Although it would not be whilst he was a councillor, he hoped that he would see the investment required put into the seafront and potential development opportunities come to fruition.

74.5         Councillor Bowden stated that it was an excellent scrutiny report and he welcomed the recommendations.  It was estimated that it would cost £100m to bring the seafront up to scratch and everything possible to ensure it was brought up to standard would be undertaken e.g. the Brighton Centre would remain open until the venue at Black Rock was built.  He also hoped that the redevelopment of the King Alfred would also be progressed and noted that preferred bidders were due to be announced.

74.6         Councillor C. Theobald stated that she wished to congratulate the Scrutiny Panel on its report and noted that further investment was being made with the development of the i360.  However there was a need to invest in the remaining arches and she hoped that resources would be identified that could be set aside to support improvements to the seafront.

74.7         The Mayor noted that the report had been referred for information and moved that it be noted.

74.8         RESOLVED: That the report be noted.