Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder – Community Development to provide a verbal update on the work of the Public Realm and Street Scene.

The Chairman introduced the Portfolio Holder - Community Development to provide a verbal update on the Work of the Public Realm and Street Scene.

The Portfolio Holder – Community Development summarised that at a future Spalding Town Forum meeting he could provide a slide show presentation, depicting the work of the Public Realm and Street Scene, to show before and after pictures highlighting the visible improvements.

·         The Portfolio Holder – Community Development provided a verbal update on the ongoing improvements; these enhancements had enriched the town centre and provided a greater lasting impression for visitors arriving in Spalding – with special thanks awarded to those community groups and volunteers who had helped to keep Spalding tidy and create a welcoming environment.

·         The Spalding Reconnected Project had successfully concluded. The aim of the project was to develop the town centre and riverside from past, present and future, alongside building new relationships with the National Heritage Lottery fund, Heritage Lincolnshire, Rivers Trust, Transported and the Water Development Agency.

·          Following on from this cohesion, investment in contemporary Way Finding Signage had been installed throughout the town in various locations.

·          Numerous public art installations had been introduced along the riverside, creating a river arts trail.

·         The partnership with the Civic Society had seen the unveiling of their art exhibitions in the town centre and Red Lion Street.

·          An additional piece of commissioned work was the Plans for Neighbourhoods. This funding had been committed and confirmed, albeit due to a new government in place, the criteria had slightly changed. The Portfolio Holder – Community Development, recommended that Plans for Neighbourhoods could be added for a future agenda item, enabling the Spalding Town Forum to discuss the amended criteria.

·         Town Centre Christmas lighting had already seen investment.

·          Resources for safety and security would be a funding criterion for the town board to administer. Hot spot policing would be initiated in town centre locations for a trial period, and results would be monitored.

o    It was noted that any incident witnessed should be reported to the Police in the first instance, this would provide additional evidence showing that further and future funding was required.

o    It was noted that the assistance from South Holland District Council officers, along with collaborating partners had been instrumental in securing the funding.

Decision

To provide a slide show presentation on the town centre improvements and to address the new criteria for Plans for Neighbourhoods funding investment, as a future Spalding Town Forum agenda item.

The Portfolio Holder – Community Development asked if the members had any questions.

·         The Pedals representative noted that the seating and lighting area that had be installed on High Bridge, although very attractive, the lights in the evening were very bright and could potentially distract motorists. Could those light be slightly dimmed?

o   The Portfolio Holder – Community Development responded that he would liaise with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, to request their expert and professional opinion, on whether the lights were unsafe for approaching vehicles/cyclists.

o    It was noted that zero complaints had been received from the public regarding the brightness of the lights, to date all feedback had been positive on the enhancements of that area of the riverside.

·          It was noted that the red tourist information signs that had been installed in various locations around the town centre, which were very attractive and provided a brief insight into the history of the area, had already been vandalised with graffiti. This was incredibly disappointing and would ultimately incur a cost to remove the graffiti.

o   The Portfolio Holder – Community Development responded that a tough stance would be taken regarding graffiti and perpetrators would be prosecuted. Funding had been invested to improve the area for our residents and visitors. It was disappointing that a minority of individuals chose to spoil the environment for others. The Reconnected Project had been involved with installing the history signs, along with the council, it was hoped that the graffiti could be easily removed.

• The representative from the Friends of Johnson Hospital noted that our street scene in the public realm often had various types of street singers performing in the marketplace during the day, did these street performers require a licence?
  • It was discussed that no licence was required to be able to set up and perform in the town centre but would require further clarification from the relevant officer. Charity street collectors were required to have a street collecting licence.

Decision

The Chairman responded that he would enquire with the licensing team regarding town performers and would report back to the forum.

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder – Community Development for the verbal update.