MEETING: Barnard Castle Vision Board DATE: 17th December 2007
VENUE: Enterprise House, Barnard Castle TIME: 1.00pm
PRESENT:
Deborah Jenkins Chair
Sue Berresford TDC
Pat Graham TDC
Shaun Stuart WTEA
Anne Allen BC Vision
John Topliss ONE
Simon Owens LSP
Bob Ward DCC
Andrew Walker DCC
Kirsten Francis ONE
Bill Oldfield TM
Neil Stokell TDC
APOLOGIES:
Trevor Watson TDC
Kate Culverhouse GW
Richard Betton TDC
Minutes DATE: 17th December 2007
1. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record, with the inclusion of Simon Owens as
present.
2. Matters arising
2.1 Business Case
The Business Case had been approved and an offer letter received.
2.2 New Leader
A Leader grouping of Teesdale and Weardale LSP’s and the AONB were preparing a Local Development Strategy for submission to ONE in May 2008.
2.3 Broadband/Wireless
AA confirmed that local broadband action groups were working with the Vision on this project.
3. Declarations of Interest
None.
4. Update from Chair
DJ summarised the work undertaken by the Sub Group including the former Richardson Hospital site, Woodleigh and Broadband projects.
5. Progress Report
AA presented members with a Vision Progress Report:
5.1 Tenders
Streetscape Strategy – consultants BDP had been appointed, working in partnership with
Placemarque.
Sites Appraisal – consultants DTZ had been appointed, working in partnership with Arup.
Transport & Access – consultants SK Transport Planning had been appointed.
All consultants were confident of achieving delivery before the end of March 2008.
5.2 Broadband
AA confirmed that an offer letter for £11k had been sent from Pathfinder to the Enterprise
Agency for Wear Valley and Teesdale. AA had attended an inception meeting with Durham Net, who were to complete draft costings and survey by the end of January 2008. A meeting was to take place on 21st January to discuss the way forward.
5.3 Sites
Auction Mart - AA and SS had met with Keith Dent, Director who confirmed the auction mart’s full ownership of the site. The next step would be for AA and SS to make a presentation to a full meeting of Company Directors. AA reported that the site may be subject to a covenant on land use – Raby Estates were investigating.
The Vision’s proposal for the site would incorporate:
§ a ‘New Directions’ centre
§ a red meat processing facility
§ affordable housing
Minutes DATE: 17th December 2007
5. Progress Report (cont’d)
5.3 Sites (cont’d)
Woodleigh – AA presented a paper on proposals to make better use of the Scar Top and Woodleigh for the benefit of the local community and for visitors. The aims were to:
a. ensure that Woodleigh remains an asset to the community
b. refurbish the building and extend it in such a way that it has much more community use and
acts as a focal point for visitors and dignitaries whilst retaining the Tourist Information Centre.
c. to reconfigure Scar Top and the entrance off Galgate to make the Castle more visible and
prominent in the streetscape to maximise its potential as a visitor attraction.
d. to improve the play facilities on Scar Top for families
It was agreed that the priority for the Vision on this project should be the external reconfiguration of Scar Top rather than necessarily the refurbishment of Woodleigh, but that potential uses of the building should continue to be explored.
AA had met with Geoff Bosworth who confirmed that the Town Council welcomed proposals for joint development of the site. TVHC had expressed interest in working in partnership with the Vision and BCTC on this project. Some board members advised a cautious approach to avoid raising unrealistic expectations.
The Barnard Castle Vision would be taking the strategic direction on this project.
Witham – Trustees were reconsidering their plans and looking at alternative options - DJ suggested a meeting with trustees to discuss this. JT confirmed that the consultants would include the Witham in their Sites Appraisal Report and could be asked to prioritise it as their first piece of work if necessary.
Richardson - Further to DJ’s conversations with Yasmin Chaudhry and Jenny Flynn of the PCT, AA and JT presented the Vision’s proposals to a meeting of the Richardson Trustees. The outcome of the meeting was that the Trustees liked the Vision’s ideas and offered to use some of the income from the sale of the site to support the Vision’s health theme. However, they were unable to accept a bid lower than the market price and would not delay the timescale to accommodate a bid from the Vision. The Vision would be unable to submit a bid, with ONE backing, before the deadline for tenders of 19th December.
A ‘Plan B’ was explored, but rejected to bid for lot 2, Centre for Carers at 35 Victoria Road, and redevelop it into 3 storey building including existing facilities and day care facilities, plus two floors of rented accommodation for key workers. AA and PG had met with Three Rivers Housing who had offered a £60K contribution to land purchase and develop and run the accommodation.
It was agreed that once information was available on the new ownership of the site, discussions could be held to explore joint ambitions.
5.4 Other deliverables in 2007 Business Case
§ Retail Network – work in progress
§ Specialist skills – plan to advertise in New Year for additional capacity to do research/feasibility work.
5.5 Business Case 2008
§ Need to agree lead body for application
§ PiP in progress – to be circulated before next Board meeting on 8 February 2008.
Minutes DATE: 17th December 2007
5. Progress Report (cont’d)
5.6 VIP
Amended visuals. Next step is planning application and detailed costing information
5.7 Communications
AA reported that talks and presentations had been completed and press coverage received.
5.8 Funding
RDP EOI submitted
Pathfinder bid for feasibility on Auction Mart site – awaiting response.
5.9 Other meetings/activity
Invitation to present to Teesdale Development Company Board meeting in New Year.
Teesdale Marketing – hand over travel trade & group to CDTP from January 2008. TM is changing direction – to work with partners to develop Teesdale short breaks and package holidays.
6. Barnard Castle Vision Day
DJ reported that the event had been extremely successful – guests were very supportive of the
Vision’s proposals and produced some innovative ideas/suggestions for consideration (a copy of
Vision Day notes was circulated to members).
7. Model for future delivery
Following in depth discussions, it was agreed by those members present to transfer the existing Board group into a development trust/company to create a modern and appropriate legal vehicle for the future. It was agreed that local accountability, safe-guarding of public funds, and access to non-statutory sources of funding were pre-requisites of any vehicle.
8. Any other business
8.1 Cashflow 2008/2209
NS confirmed that TDC would be the accountable body for the Single Programme application for 2008/2009.
8.2 Discover Teesdale
SB reported on the success of the ongoing tourism and local food work, the value of which was recognised by the Board.
Actions:
Ø Tenders - Inception meetings to be held with appointed consultants for Streetscape Strategy, Sites Appraisal and Transport & Access.
Ø Broadband – Meeting to discuss the way forward
Ø Auction Mart – AA and SS to make a presentation to Company Directors
Ø Witham – Meeting with Trustees to consider options
Ø Richardson – Work with PCT on health services provision issues
Ø Specialist skills – advertise for additional capacity to do research/feasibility work
Ø VIP – Consider planning issues and detailed costings
Ø Other activities - Presentation to the Teesdale Development Company Board
The next meeting will be held on Friday 8th February, 2.00pm at Enterprise House, Barnard Castle.
Meeting ended: 3.25pm GMB/DJ – 17.12.07
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