Burslem "in a dire situation"

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENTERPRISE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Stoke-on-Trent City Council
City of Stoke-on-Trent

Minutes of a meeting of the Economic Development and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee held at the Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday, 2 April 2008

Present
Councillor Brian Ward (Chair), Councillor Mohammed Matloob (Vice-Chair), Councillor Michael Barnes, Councillor Ian Mitchell, Councillor Ted Owen, Councillor Sheila Pitt and Councillor Denver Tolley.

Other Attendees
Julie Brough (Democratic Services Officer), Brian Edwards (Team Manager – Passenger Transport), John Gething (Group Manager - Business Support and Investment), Nick Holdcroft (Performance and Programme Manager), Colin Hunton (Principal Economic Development Officer- Regeneration), Mandy Pattinson (Scrutiny Officer), Marie Broadhurst (Performance Manager - Regeneration and Community Services) and Julian Read (Regeneration Projects Manager - Learning and Skills).

...

5 BURSLEM REGENERATION TEAM
Julian Read confirmed that he had been post as Interim Town Centre Manager for Burslem since February 2008. He indicated that since being in post, he had picked up the frustrations of Members regarding the regeneration of Burslem. He explained that Burslem Town Centre was in a dire situation with all retailers struggling to survive. He explained that his brief was to support the regeneration of the town centre to make it economically viable for the future. He was, therefore, focusing upon three main actions, namely the formation of a team to manage the regeneration of Burslem; reconstituting the Burslem Regeneration Company Board and the review of the Aitkins 2004 Burslem Master Plan and Urban Design Action Plan. The Burslem Regeneration Team had re-located to the Burslem School of Art in February 2008 and consisted of three team members. Public Realm Work was also to commence in May 2008 in Swan Square. He referred to the Burslem Regeneration Company Board and explained that membership had dwindled over the years and therefore they were looking to re-constitute and establish a new board with ten board members. Selection to the new board would be on the basis of individual merit, commitment to the area, and also with regard to the composition of the Regeneration Company Board overall, including a mix of skills, knowledge and professional background and attributes required. The closing date for applications was 7 April 2008 and appointments and interviews taking place week commencing 11 April 2008. In respect of the Burslem Master Plan, he proposed to bring in consultants to review and refresh the Master Plan and Urban Design Action Plan and to comment upon the actions that had not been delivered and put forward any appropriate recommendations.

Committee Members made the following comments:
• Councillor Tolley commented that there had been plenty of support given to the regeneration of Burslem but that there had been a lack of investment in the past. He queried what had happened to the scheme to bring the former Burslem Indoor Market back into use and highlighted that the Queen’s Theatre was underused and felt that there was a potential for it to be used as a museum as it still retained its original features, such as tiles and government rooms.
Julian Read explained that the Queen’s Theatre was a 1000 seater venue and was aware that it was not hired out to members of the public. He agreed that a way should be found to bring it back into use. He referred to the former Burslem Indoor Market and explained that a developer had been given an exclusivity agreement to come up with a scheme but had failed to do so within the agreed timescales. Therefore, an appraisal was to be undertaken to find an alternative use.
• Councillor Owen commented that retail had been lost in Burslem and felt that the live/work units were not appropriate for the town centre. He felt that it was crucial that the local people were involved in any decisions regarding Burslem and indicated that the Burslem Regeneration Company had never had local people on its board in the past. Furthermore, as a ward councillor, he had been refused to see minutes of its meetings.
• Councillor Matloob felt that there was no long-term strategy for Burslem and commented that the rents should not be too high and indicated that there were a number of buildings of architectural merit that were standing empty.
• Councillor Owen commented that Ceramica had never been supported and not been used to its full potential.
• Councillor Owen queried whether the Burslem Regeneration Company was to be given its own budget
Julian Read confirmed that he was only aware of a budget specifically for Support Officer costs. He confirmed that they had a commitment from the Regional Development Agency to regenerate Burslem which they had not had in the past.

Action – That the report be noted.

--- --- ---

Julian Read, Interim Town Centre Manager for Burslem:

had picked up the frustrations of Members regarding the regeneration of Burslem.

Unfortunately, he did not say that he had picked up the frustrations of the Citizens of Burslem regarding the lack of any proper regeneration. Makes one wonder if he's ever been here?

explained that Burslem Town Centre was in a dire situation with all retailers struggling to survive.

Since all retailers are struggling to survive, does it not make sense to take radical action to remedy the situation, and to encourage shoppers.

Since it does not seem likely that the Council will even consider lowering, or abolishing for a fixed period, business rates, why not do away with Parking Charges as a relatively cheap option?

explained that his brief was to support the regeneration of the town centre to make it economically viable for the future.

Again, why not abolish Parking Charges?

proposed to bring in consultants to review and refresh the Master Plan and Urban Design Action Plan and to comment upon the actions that had not been delivered and put forward any appropriate recommendations.

The people of Burslem are heartily sick of Consultants. They are not local, they don't listen to what the locals say, and produce plans that do nothing for the town. Why not start a genuine consultation undertaken by local people to find out what the townspeople really want, and produce a plan based on that? The results of such a survey would not be surprising to the population, but might come as a bit of a shock to the Council.

hoped that this review would be completed by May 2008.

Well, has it been? It's the end of June now.

hoped that following the review, they could start delivering on some of the actions and bring empty buildings back into use.

"They", whoever "they" may be, had bloody well better start to deliver - VERY SOON!

explained that a developer had been given an exclusivity agreement to come up with a scheme for the former Burslem Indoor Market but had failed to do so within the agreed timescales. Therefore, an appraisal was to be undertaken to find an alternative use.

This one is a total no-brainer. The population of Burslem do not want a "world renowned Ceramic Auction House" or anything similar - they want their indoor market! Tunstall has one, Hanley has one. WHY DOES THE COUNCIL INSIST THAT BURSLEM DOES NOT NEED ONE? If there was a regular indoor market with a decent number of stalls, together with free parking in the town centre, people would be drawn to Burslem on a frequent basis. Why has this simple fact not occurred to anybody who has been drawing up plans for Burslem?

confirmed that they had a commitment from the Regional Development Agency to regenerate Burslem which they had not had in the past.

Ah, the mysterious "they" again! Burslem Regeneration Company? Council? Who?

(Former) Councillor Ted Owen:

commented that retail had been lost in Burslem

All you have to do is walk through the town to see this!

felt that the live/work units were not appropriate for the town centre

The town needs proper commercial retail outlets, not more fancy arty workshops. Been a bit of a waste of money there (or not, depending on personal opinion)!

felt that it was crucial that the local people were involved in any decisions regarding Burslem

Isn't it ever! When, oh when, are "they" going to get the message?

indicated that the Burslem Regeneration Company had never had local people on its board in the past.

Since the appointment process is now over, and there seems not to have been any public announcement of the outcome, we have to assume that nothing has changed, or is likely to change. Google "Burslem Regeneration Company" and see what you come up with - nothing since 2003/04!

Councillor Mohammed Matloob:

felt that there was no long-term strategy for Burslem

Totally agree, especially that there is no long-term strategy in which any residents have had a say.

commented that the rents should not be too high

High rents and rates drive away businesses. No brainer again!

indicated that there were a number of buildings of architectural merit that were standing empty.

Especially the former Central Hotel. Let's get the hideous red shutters removed, and get that building back into proper retail use. There is an outstanding enforcement notice on the shutters. Mr Read, your job as the Town Centre Manager for Burslem, interim or not, is to enforce the enforcement notice.

Complete minutes for this meeting can be found here (.pdf)

Action – That the report be noted.

... and probably forgotten?

Our list of action that must be taken:

that the Town Centre Manager (Interim) for Burslem produce conclusive proof that the Council really has a coherent strategy for the regeneration of Burslem.
that this information be conveyed, in plain English, to the people of Burslem.
that there should be a full, proper, consultation with the people of Burslem as to the redevelopment of the town centre: their opinions and wishes with respect to the provision of retail outlets, as opposed to development of ventures that do nothing for the community, must be taken into account - without the goodwill of the population, any regeneration will fail.
that any consultation exercise be undertaken by local people who might have some understanding of the issues, rather than by "foreign" consultants who generally neither know nor care about these issues.
that the proper regeneration of Burslem as a retail centre start immediately - further housing development must be put on hold until the proper balance is restored.
that the Council, from the Executive on down, elected and unelected, start to regard Burslem as an important part of Stoke-on-Trent, and not just as a small town somewhere in the north of the City that ought to be a centre for the arts.
that the Council, from the Executive on down, start to realise that real people live in Burslem, with real needs and real problems that cannot be solved by building more houses or artists' workshops.
that an important kick-start to the revitalisation of Burslem can quite easily, and relatively cheaply, be given by the abolition of Parking Charges.

The 2008/09 Economic Development and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee is comprised thus:

Councillor John Daniels (Chair, CIA, Weston and Meir North)
Councillor Tom Reynolds (Vice-Chair, Labour, Longton North)
Councillor Anthony Simmonds (Vice-Chair, BNP, Weston and Meir North)
Councillor Michael Barnes (Labour, Longton South)
Councillor Paul Billington (LD, Stoke and Trent Vale)
Councillor John Burgess (BNP, Meir Park and Sandon)
Councillor Mohammed Matloob (Labour, Tunstall)
Councillor Ian Mitchell (City Ind., Hartshill and Penkhull)
Councillor Roy Stanley Naylor (City Ind., Blurton)
Councillor Lee Wanger (CIA, Tunstall)
Councillor Brian Ward (City Ind., Blurton)
Councillor Roger Ibbs (Portfolio Holder) (CIA, Trentham and Hanford)

The scope of the Committee is:

"Seeking to achieve economic development and enterprise in a city with a thriving economy that provides diverse employment opportunities for all its citizens enhanced with an accessible transport system. These will be supported by a range of community activities and services and an improved quality and choice of housing set in an environment to be proud of".

economic development and enterprise ... Burslem needs this urgently.
thriving economy ... Burslem sorely lacks this.
all its citizens ... Everyone, including Boslemites!
accessible transport system ... Burslem does not have anything like this.

We sincerely hope that this Committee, comprised as it is of a majority of Members who represent Wards in the Centre/South of the City, will not forget that Burslem is rapidly, maybe even terminally, decaying.

NOW
is the time for
URGENT,
INVENTIVE,
and
BOLD
remedial
ACTION.