Agenda and minutes

Venue: Online via Zoom app

Contact: Sarah James  01395 519978 Email:  sjames@eastdevon.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

15.

Public speaking

Minutes:

One member of the public had registered to speak at the meeting. 

 

Mr Graham Deasy spoke in his capacity as vice-chair of Exmouth Community Association, concerning the provision of public toilets on Exmouth seafront.  He stated that toilet provision is a key factor on which visitor destinations are judged and he was of the view that the provision in Exmouth is inadequate.  Mr Deasy added that the 2021 EDDC Public Toilets Review did not identify what provision might be needed five to ten years down the line.  He implored the Council and the Placemaking Consultants to identify how best to finance investment in toilets and shower facilities for beach users and visitors.

 

The Portfolio Holder Coast, Country & Environment responded that the Public Toilet Review is about putting the right toilets in the right place, and is not a cost-cutting exercise; the Council is preparing to spend £3 million on modifying or rebuilding most toilets and ensuring toilets are suitable for disabled people.

 

The Assistant Director Place, Assets & Commercialisation added that subject to conclusion of contracts, new tenants would be providing public toilet provision at Orcombe Point and The Maer, with repurposing of the remainder of the buildings.  It is unlikely that the new tenants will be in a position to open the sites for the 2023 summer season but the Council have agreed to keep these toilets open for the season, funded from an existing budget, together with other sites that have been open during winter.

16.

Minutes of the previous meetings held on 10 October 2022 and 13 December 2022 pdf icon PDF 267 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 10 October and 13 December 2022 were noted as a true and accurate record.

17.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

Cllr B De Saram – Minute 18; Affects Non-Registerable Interest: Exmouth Town Councillor.

18.

Progress update on Placemaking in Exmouth pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Minutes:

The Project Manager Place & Prosperity (Exmouth) introduced the progress update report, highlighting the following points:

·        Leases are being progressed for the pitches at Queen’s Drive; three have been returned and the Estates and Legal Services teams are chasing the remaining two.

·        The planning consent for the fitness area at Queen’s Drive (which expires in July 2023) has now been submitted.  Legal Services are progressing the lease with LED.

·        There has been little interest in the Events Space at Queen’s Drive despite extensive marketing to attract a reliable operator for the whole season or for the summer holidays.

·        The planning application for The Strand’s tables and chairs has been submitted (the current permission expires in September 2023).  Legal Services forwarded the leases to the stakeholders on 30th January; two are now completed.

·        The mural on the rear wall of the Pavilion will now not commence until April 2023.

·        The Levelling up Fund Bid, led by DCC, was successful and has secured £15,765,899 for the road at Dinan Way and the Destination Exmouth/Gateway project.  For Dinan Way, DCC are commencing the land assembly, and have instructed their land agents.  For Exmouth Gateway, the initial task will be to confirm the designs before commencing a public consultation.

·        Following a desktop exercise using the Crown Commercial Framework, supported by colleagues in Devon County Council (DCC), it is intended to appoint WSP to take forward the placemaking plan for Exmouth Town and Seafront, subject to contract and a pre-commencement meeting. 

·        The Project Manager Place & Prosperity (Exmouth) introduced WSP’s Ashley Dunseath to the PETS Group members; Ashley was pleased to meet the Members, albeit virtually, and looked forward to meeting them all in due course. 

 

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·        If all leases are returned, all five pitches at the Queen’s Drive Space will be let, as well as the fitness space.  Both the Project Manager Place & Prosperity (Exmouth) and the Chair expressed confidence that LED will make a success of the fitness space.  The Project Manager Place & Prosperity (Exmouth) will provide further information from the Streetscene Events Officer concerning efforts to find an operator for the events space.

·        The Placemaking in Exmouth Town & Seafront (PETS) Group had a pitch some time ago from the beach volleyball team who were keen to have provision on the seafront for their sport.  For a number of reasons it had not been appropriate to take discussions forward; the volleyball group were looking for a long-term solution in order to access funding opportunities through various sports bodies, but the Council could not offer anything more than an interim provision because to do so would be pre-emptive of the work of the Placemaking consultants.

·        One of the storage huts in the Queen’s Park Space currently has tarpaulin over it; a roof repair is scheduled for this month.  The Project Manager Place & Prosperity (Exmouth) will liaise with Streetscene about the site inspection programme for the dinosaur park and forward this information to PETS Group members. 

·        The Levelling Up Fund  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Placemaking Consultants appointment

Minutes:

The Project Manager Place & Prosperity (Exmouth) outlined next steps following appointment of the Placemaking Consultants.  It is hoped to be in contract with WSP in the next week.

 

The Chair was pleased to welcome WSP’s Ashley Dunseath to the PETS Group, and to Exmouth.