Decision details

Councillor M R Edwards joined the meeting during this item of business and did not partake in any vote.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance presenting the findings of comments received through business and stakeholder review of the Draft Lower High Street Action Plan (the Action Plan), set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  Following the review a number of amendments were proposed to the Action Plan and these were detailed in the report.

It was noted that the Action Plan had seven actions to realise the potential of the Lower High Street to contribute to the Masterplan objectives.  These actions had been tested against Local Development Plan (LDP) Policy and the outcomes of the Corporate Plan.  They had also been reviewed by businesses and stakeholders and the responses received were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Members were advised that the Action plan would galvanise business groups, individual businesses and stakeholders to take ownership of the High Street challenges and was supported by the Maldon High Street Focus Group led by the District Council. 

On behalf of the Council, the Leader of the Council paid tribute to the Strategy Theme Lead: Place and the enormous work that had gone on in relation to the Action Plan.  Following the Officers’ presentation the Leader of the Council proposed that recommendations (i) and (ii) amended to remove the word ‘of’, be approved.  He then proposed that Councillors Mrs J L Fleming and S P Nunn be appointed to the Focus Group.  This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor M S Heard advised that if the proposal of the Leader failed he wished to nominate Councillors S P Nunn and C Mayes (Maldon Ward Members)

In response to comments raised, the Strategy Theme Lead: Place advised that Action Plan took into account the changing behaviours during Covid and considered the parking strategy and action in the Masterplan, including how people accessed the town of Maldon.

The Chairman then put recommendations (i) and (ii) as amended to the Council and this was duly agreed.

There was some discussion regarding considering three nominations, but the Leader of the Council raised a Point of Order asking that his recommendation be put.  In response the Chairman put the proposal in the name of the Leader that Councillors Fleming and Nunn be appointed to the Focus Group.  Upon a vote being taken this was agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the proposed amendment to the draft Lower High Street Action Plan following business and stakeholder review and the Covid-19 Reset and Recovery Response be approved;

(ii)            That the Lower High Street Action Plan be endorsed;

(iii)          That the following Members be appointed to sit on the Maldon High Street Focus Group:

·                 Councillor Mrs J L Fleming

·                 Councillor S P Nunn