Urban Regeneration Panel Bath & North East Somersetdemocracy.bathnes.gov.uk/Data/Enterprise and...

Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work & visit

Overview and Scrutiny Panel20 July 2010

Urban Regeneration PanelBath & North East Somerset

Rhodri Samuel

Regeneration ManagerDevelopment & Major Projects


Background

• Panel established in April 2004

• Purpose: to guide and challenge B&NES and its development partners in the planning and delivery of ‘a national exemplar of high quality, sustainable urban regeneration at BWR’

• Recognition that Council and city aspired to exemplary design and development but had little experience of delivering this on a major scale


Background

• Panel independent: not Council consultants

• Members selected for their multidisciplinary skills in heritage, urban design, architecture, development, housing, public realm, transport and movement, culture and sustainability

• Original membership:• Les Sparks OBE, Chair;

• Honor Chapman, CBE, Deputy Chair• Antoine Grumbach; replaced by Sir Richard MacCormac• Dickon Robinson, CBE

• Professor Chris Baines• Alan Baxter


Expanded Remit

• Panel quickly identified absence of a wider vision and strategic plan for Bath and surrounding district: BWR a jigsaw piece in a bigger picture

• Encouraged Council to prepare the Future for Bath Vision

• Expanded role for Panel as guardians of the Visions for Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley

• Subsequent Council agreement to widen remit of the Panel to address Bath and North East Somerset Sustainable Growth Agenda


Terms of Reference

• Overarching guidance and mentoringTo be the guardians of the Council’s Vision (Future for Bath, Keynsham, Radstock and Midsomer Norton)

To provide independent guidance, constructive challenge and mentoring to senior Officers and Members of Bath & North East Somerset Council to help achieve successful delivery

• Intellectual and practical driver for changeTo bring intellectual rigour and national and international expertise, experience and best practice to assist the Council in delivering its place-shaping and sustainable growth agendas

To understand and take account of relevant local and national policies, pressures and constraints, including e.g. the complex issues associated with large-scale urban regeneration within World Heritage Site/AONB settings, and financial viability


Terms of Reference

• To help build a clear rationale and process for projectsTo provide an objective assessment of emerging project/scheme proposals against the aspirations and values of the Council’s Vision and national and international best practice

• Design review of schemesTo provide ongoing review and guidance on the design quality andsustainability of strategically significant projects

Where possible, to be involved at the earliest stage in the evolution of project design, to maximise the opportunity to influence quality and content.


Limitations of Role

• It is not the function of the Panel to duplicate the role of statutory or regulatory bodies

• Panel members will not lobby or make representations on planning applications to Council officers or members involved in statutory development control procedures other than through publicly accessible channels


Meetings and Reporting

• Panel meets 4-5 times a year in private session

• Agendas are managed and co-ordinated by Development & Major Projects

• Panel advises Council corporate: via John Betty to Strategic Directors Group and Cabinet

• Regular meetings with Cabinet

• Increased external profile e.g. Bath Architecture, Better Bath Forum, etc


2010 Panel Membership

• Les Sparks OBE, Chairman• Sir Richard MacCormac CBE RA• Dickon Robinson CBE• Professor Chris Baines• Martin Stockley• Sylvie Pierce


Key Agenda Items 2009-10

• Strategies, studies and plans: e.g. Core Strategy, Sustainable Community Strategy, PR&MS, Retail, Visitor Accommodation, Regeneration Delivery Plans, etc

• Knowledge and Creative Economy: workshop session with universities, business networks and businesses

• Keynsham town centre

• Projects: BWR, Cadbury’s Somerdale, Bath Press, Guildhall, Bath RFC

• Planning Applications: Holburne Museum and Green Park House


URP Review 2010

• Panel should continue to:

• Use its experience, expertise and knowledge to offer independent advice to the Council in relation to the economy and environment of B&NES

• Suggest ways to unlock investment and overcome obstacles to development to assist in delivering vision

• Comment on strategic policies and projects and challenge thinking to help ensure that the Council’s approach in intellectually robust and secure


URP Review 2010

Going forward the Panel is seeking:

• Greater evidence of coherent, cohesive and corporate commitment to the Future for Bath Vision

• Closer engagement with senior management and more regular feedback on the outcomes (new BELG agenda item)

• More contact with outside organisations where it is seen that the Panel can add informed opinion to local debate


Future Agenda Items

• Themed sessions with internal and external attendance e.g. health and wellbeing, universities, river

• Regeneration Delivery Plans

• Project Delivery: BWR, Bath RFC, Guildhall/Parade Gardens, Public Realm & Movement Programme, Creative Workspace, Cadbury’s Somerdale

• Repositioning Bath and the wider area


Relationship with O&S Panel

• URP has previously requested to meet O&S Panel: last meeting 2008

• URP Chairman, Les Sparks, invited to next O&S Panel meeting

• Any issues from the O&S Panel to raise with Les Sparks in advance of the next meeting?

Urban Regeneration Panel Bath & North East Somersetdemocracy.bathnes.gov.uk/Data/Enterprise and...

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