Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall Watford

Contact: Caroline Harris  Email: democraticservices@watford.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

25.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

No apologies had been received.

26.

Disclosure of interests (if any)

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest.

27.

Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2019 to be submitted and signed.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2019 were submitted and signed.

28.

Conduct of meeting

The Cabinet may wish to consider whether there are any items on which there is general agreement which could be considered now, to enable discussion to focus on those items where the Cabinet sees a need for further debate.

Minutes:

Councillor Bell spoke on behalf of the Labour Group.

 

There were no changes to the order of the agenda.

29.

Watford High Street (North) and Cultural Hub Masterplan Progress Report pdf icon PDF 433 KB

Report of Project Manager to present to Cabinet the initial findings from the recent consultation and engagement on the draft Watford High Street (North) and Cultural Hub Masterplan.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor introduced the report and explained that the proposed phase three, with regards to road layout, would be looked at as part of the review of the long term wider town centre transport network, working with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). The Mayor thanked the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications and the Place Shaping team for their work.

 

Councillor Sharpe commented that there had been a healthy response to consultation and it had been discussed in the Watford Observer. Overall responses to the proposals had been positive.  This area of the town needed a boost and there were opportunities for improvement.  The Masterplan set out a route for doing something special and would give this area of the town its own identity.  The phase three elements had been met with scepticism, however, the proposals were over a long term.  There was increasing concern about climate change and the council had declared a climate emergency, therefore, the only option was to take steps to boost more sustainable modes of transport.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Bell, the Mayor explained that phase three was part of the original consultation but would not be happening immediately, it would be in 15-20 years’ time.  The underpass would still be looked at and the road as a whole would be considered as part of the work the council was doing around transport.  The Managing Director commented there was a need for a wider highways review in terms of connectivity in the town centre.  The council was working with HCC on solutions for Watford’s transport post Metropolitan Line Extension.

 

The Managing Director commented that a constructive response had been received from HCC which was included in section 6.12 of the report.  The next stages of delivering the scheme would be to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and land owners.  Groups would be set up for both and the stakeholders would also include key cultural partners.  Subject to agreement by Cabinet, the council would look to appoint a development partner by the start of 2021 and begin delivery.  There was a strong programme board led by the Interim Group Head of Place Shaping.

 

Councillor Bell asked a question about previous schemes for developing the museum and the Managing Director explained that the Heritage Lottery Fund bid had been to extend the museum.  Unfortunately the cost of the proposals were unaffordable and the council had committed to looking for other options to improve the museum setting.  There would be a full soft market test, proper cost assessment and feasibility which would come back to Cabinet with a cost plan.  The Mayor commented that the Friends of Watford Museum were positive about the proposals and the council would be working with them to shape plans from the outset.

 

RESOLVED

           

            That Cabinet:

 

1.         Notes the interim results of the consultation and engagement on the draft Watford High Street (North) and Cultural Hub Masterplan

 

2.         Delegates to the Managing Director in consultation with the Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

Exclusion of press & public

The Chair to move: that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Section 100(1) of the Act for the reasons stated below in terms of Schedule 12A.

 

Note: if approved, the Chair will ask members of the press and public to leave the meeting at this point.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Section 100(1) Schedule 12A of the Act for the reasons stated in the reports.

31.

Watford 2020: Transport and Infrastructure Detailed Design and Business Case

Report of the Business Transformation Project Manager

 

This report is considered Part B in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Part 1 Schedule 12A as it contains information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Minutes:

A report of the Business Transformation Project Manager was received and the Group Head of Transformation responded to questions.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet approves the proposed future design for Transport and Infrastructure and the Parking Service, and the Full Business Case and Implementation Plan for the proposed designs.

 

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