Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are asked to declare any interest they may have in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Members were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or other interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Clarke declared interests in the business to be discussed, as he was appoint to the outside body, East Midlands Museums Service (also Director) and Creative Leicestershire. He also declared he worked in the cultural sector, as per his register of interests.

Councillor Shelton declared an interest in the business to be discussed. as he was a Director at Phoenix Square and also a representative for Leicester City Council.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the interests were not considered so significant that they were likely to prejudice Councillors’ judgement of the public interest. Members were therefore not required to withdraw from the meeting during discussion of the business on the agenda.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Committee is entitled to consider certain items in private where in the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the matter exempt from publication outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Committee is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended, and consequently that the Sub-Committee makes the following resolution:-

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs or any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

UK CITY OF CULTURE 2017                                                        Appendix B1

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (INCLUDING THE authority holding that information)

UK CITY OF CULTURE 2017                                                        Appendix B1

The Committee will receive a presentation on progress to date in developing a Leicester submission for the UK City of Culture 2017. Please note that due to the sensitive nature of the content, it has been agreed that the presentation will be taken in Private Session as detailed above.

Members of the Heritage, Leisure and Sport Scrutiny Commission are invited to join the meeting to discuss the agenda item of UK City of Culture 2017.

A report is attached for Members’ information, accompanied with guidance for bidding cities. Members are requested to consider and comment on the intention to bid and progress to date prior to the submission of an initial bid at the end of April 2013.

Liz Blyth, Director Neighbourhood Services, reported to the Scrutiny Commission on progress to date in developing a Leicester submission for UK City of Culture 2017. The report was accompanied by a presentation by Kirsty McConnell of Inside Track Consultancy Services. Bidding guidance was attached for information to members.

The Chair thanked officers and visitors for work undertaken so far on the bid.

RESOLVED:

1.    that the report be noted.

Members are asked to confirm the minutes of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 27^th March 2013.

The minutes of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny commission meeting held on 27^th March 2013 were presented to the Scrutiny Commission, and Members were asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The Chair drew attention to Minute Item 82, Marketing of Haymarket, and asked the City Mayor’s comment on the offer of incentives could be considered for the future marketing of the Haymarket, be included in the minutes.

The Chair drew attention to Minute Item 83, Scoping Document for Review on Tourism, and informed the meeting that an amended document would be re-circulated. She added that a working plan would also be developed with the city Centre Director, and a paper would be taken to the next Scrutiny Commission meeting setting out a timetable for the review.

The Chair informed members that for Minutes Item 86 (ii), a Census Data seminar would be arranged for the end of May, to include recent statistical information, and an invitation would be extended to Members outside of the Scrutiny Commission.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny commission meeting held on 27^th March 2013, be agreed as a correct record, subject to the amendment to Minute Item 82, Marketing of Haymarket.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations or statements of case received in accordance with Council procedures.

It was reported that no questions, representations or statements of case had been received.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions received in accordance with Council procedures.

It was heard that no petitions, in accordance with the Council’s procedures, had been received.

The Chair heard the agenda items out of order.

The Director, Planning, Transport and Economic Development, will provide an update on the proposed Leicester Food Park.

Mike Dalzell, Head of Economic Regeneration, presented a report that provided the Scrutiny Commission with a progress update on the proposed Leicester Food Park at Lewisher Road, a site owned by Leicester City Council zoned for employment use.

Mike informed the meeting that the total costs to deliver Leicester Food Park were £5,644,000, with the City Council allocating £2,200,000 towards the project subject to approval. He said that a bid for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the remaining balance was under appraisal. If ERDF was granted, the Food Park would be built in mid-2104.

He said a Demand Study was undertaken which showed strong interest in the project from food and drink manufacturers. It was identified that a lot of start-up food premises were not fit for purpose, and there were constraints for growth, and the purpose of the project was to build food-standard premises. Mike said further consultation would be undertaken with food businesses in May 2013.

Mike said all monies would be spent on Capital build, and then the premises would be let through a management company who would run the site. He referred also to a separate ERDF funded business support project, now being delivered in the city which, amongst other things would help identify and support potential tenants for the new facility. Mike noted that the Food & Drink forum managed a similar and successful food workspace in Nottingham on behalf of Nottingham city council.

Councillor Cassidy said there were a lot of food companies in that part of the city who exported, and a business support strategy was required, as it was important they supported the new businesses. Mike confirmed that support for exporting would be part of a business support offer. Councillor Cassidy asked if the plan proposed was similar to the Everards Brewery site. Mike responded the Everards scheme was intended to accommodate much bigger footprint businesses and therefore would not compete with the Lewisher Rd offer. It was also designed to include elements of retail and a tourism offer which were also quite different. He added the key incentive for businesses to move to the premises would be the food-grade specification of the premises rather than a financial inducement as the premises had to be offered at market rent. Mike confirmed the premises would be used for food production only and not retail sales.

The Chair responded it was good to know there was demand for the premises, and thanked Mike for the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    that the report be noted.

The Chair invites Members the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Commission to bring forward any issues they feel should be brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Commission.

The Chair informed the Scrutiny Commission the following items would be on future agendas for Scrutiny Commission meetings:

1.    Gateway Retail Area Improvement Scheme (1^st May 2013)

2.    A review of the Council’s plans for the Regeneration of Frog Island and the economic development potential of that area of the city, including the Waterside.

3.    Overall economic development of the city, covered by the City Mayor’s Economic Action Plan, and how it will be monitored by the Scrutiny Commission.

The meeting closed at 7.14pm.