Agenda item

To receive the report of the Democratic Services Manager which sets out progress made against implementation of the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Task and Finish Group on the Evening Economy.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Paul James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy, and Mr Anthony Hodge, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, to the meeting.

Members were presented with a report which set out progress made against implementation of the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Task and Finish Group on the Evening Economy.  The Committee was asked to comment on progress identified in Appendix 1 and to request further monitoring if appropriate.

Councillor James summarised the key points in the report and invited comments from Members.

Members discussed the following matters:-

1.       A Member asked if the planned redevelopment of the old Prison would help to stimulate the evening economy.  Councillor James commented that further details on the proposed development were expected at the end of the month and that the inclusion of residential dwellings at the site would result in an increase in footfall along the Quay.  Another Member remarked that the development would revitalise that part of the City.

2.       A Member expressed concern that a popular pub chain sold beer at low prices.  Other Members discussed the impact of the sales of high strength ales at cheap prices on health and anti-social behaviour in the City.  As a result of the debate, it was agreed that Overview and Scrutiny Committee would carry out a study into this matter.

3.       A Member questioned what initiatives were being undertaken to improve safety in the City Centre.  The Member also referred to the increase in the number of rough sleepers and beggars.  Councillor James acknowledged the comments and said that he hoped that the Managing Director might be able to pick this up in his role as a Joint Commissioning Director at the County Council.  Councillor James added that the new CCTV system would assist in this regard.

4.       A Member referred to the leaflet stand at the Gloucester Railway Station and commented that more could be done with signposting so that travellers were aware that they were in Gloucester and could see posters of local attractions.  The Member added that it was important that the new Bus Station displayed signage and posters.  Councillor James agreed with these comments.  Another Member asked for an update on the timetable for the upgrade to the Railway Station and expressed disappointment that some of the enhancements could not have been made in time for the Rugby World Cup.  The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development advised the Member on the current position.  There was a discussion on the impact of new car parking arrangements involving Ministry of Justice land for the upgraded Railway Station on Great Western Road which was already congested with ambulance and other traffic.  The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development advised Members that transport issues were already being explored with the County Highways Department.  At this point the Chair declared a personal interest by virtue of her role as a Medical Member of the Tribunals Service for the Ministry of Justice.

5.       During the Cabinet Member’s earlier presentation of the report he had alluded to the closure of a Wetherspoons pub in the City Centre which had been publicised by the local media.  A Member sought clarification on this point.  Councillor James explained that the proposed closure of the ‘Water Poet’ was part of a nationwide review by Wetherspoons of its underperforming pubs in the country.  Councillor James added that the City Council would be encouraging other enterprises to take on the site when it was closed.

6.       A Member asked if there were any footfall figures for the numbers of people moving through the shared space close to the Kimbrose Triangle.  The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development responded that there were no figures available at the moment but that footfall cameras would shortly capture this information.

7.       The Vice-Chair noted that a number of the recommendations in the appendix to the report had the status ‘ongoing’ and queried why there was no end date.  Councillor James responded that the evening economy was subject to continual change because of market demand and that it was unrealistic to mark initiatives as ‘complete’.  Councillor James agreed to bring a further update to the Committee.

8.       A Member reflected that it was difficult to know what sort of environment to expect in a pub or restaurant and that it would be helpful to have a guide.  Councillor James suggested the Member might consult ‘Trip Advisor’ and added that the Council’s ‘Scores on the Doors’ provided an indication of the overall cleanliness of the venue.

RESOLVED: –

1.       That a further monitoring report be submitted to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in six months’ time.

2.       That Overview and Scrutiny Committee commission a study to examine the impact on health and anti-social behaviour of the sale of high strength alcohol both in pubs and off-sales.