MEETING NOTES, CHAPEL STREET REGENERATION FORUM

Held on Friday 14th September 2012 at 11.00 a.m.

St Philips Church, Wilton Place, Salford

Attendees:

Rev Andy Salmon, Chair, Chapel Street Regeneration Forum (Chair)

Ian Stewart, City Mayor, Salford City Council

Councillor Antrobus, Salford City Council

Councillor Dennett, Salford City Council

Councillor Humphreys, Salford City Council

Councillor Coen, Salford City Council

Karen Hirst, Salford City Council

Bernie Vaudrey, Salford City Council

Ross Spanner, Salford City Council

Dave Robinson, Salford City Council

Mark Hassle, Salford City Council

Bernie Noon, Salford City Council

Sara Noonan, Salford City Council

David Greenfield, Salford City Council

Julie Tracey, Salford City Council

Tony Ennis, Urban Vision

Inspector David Henthorne, Greater Manchester Police

Linda Tomkins, University of Salford

Pat Arnold, The Friars Primary School

Hazel Brady, St Phillips CE Primary School

Mark Ashmore, Black Lion

Andy Barclay, TARG

Hessel DeBoer, Islington Estate Residents and Tenants Association (TIETARA)

Kevin O’Neill, Islington Estate Residents and Tenants Association (TIETARA)

Phil Mayall, Muse Developments

Dan McMullen, Peppermint

Corina Boyle, Cuckoo Design

Alex Darke, Cuckoo Design

Jon Monk, The Business Group Salford

Carlos Sanchez (invited via Jon Monk)

Patrick O’Dowd, Diocese of Salford

Ena Shepherd, Local Resident

Richard Nickson, Student

Apologies received:

Jim Wensley, Salford City Council

Deanna Walker, Salford City Council

Gareth Wilkinson, Salford City Council

Richard Wynne, Urban Vision

Keith Barnes, University of Salford

Keith Beal, University of Salford

Neil Harvey, local businessman

Linda Sidwell, Salford Crescent Neighbourhood Association

Kat Marcinski, Oasis Academy

Lee Savage, Scarborough Group

Rachael Smith, Paver Smith

1.Welcome and Introductions

Andy Salmon welcomed everyone to the meeting and those present introduced themselves.

2.Notes of the last meeting and any actions

The notes were agreed as a correct record.

3.Ian Stewart, City Mayor, Salford City Council – questions and answers – next steps for Chapel Street

Ian Stewart, City Mayor, introduced himself and explained there are two Mayors in Salford – a Ceremonial Mayor (an honorary position by vote) and a City Mayor (an executive role).

In order to create this vision, Ian would like the people of the City to express their views on how the City should develop and evolve. To deliver changes Ian is looking to work on three year cycles, which will provide the chance to implement improvements and new development. Despite the risk of further cuts from the Government, Ian hopes that the City can emerge from the recession with residents having an improved quality of life. He hopes to launch the first three year plan early in 2013, and will start to build this through a series of consultation exercises. The document has been issued and is entitled ‘Whose Vision.’Ian noted that he was pleased with what he had seen being delivered by officers in his first months as City Mayor, and that maintaining this whilst working with residents and businesses would be even more successful. Another key element that Ian spoke about was the partnership between the City Council and the University of Salford and the importance of having a cohesive approach to learning in the City.

Hessel deBoer asked a question regarding power and poverty. With 16 Elected Mayors in the UKand a ‘starcabinet’ are more Elected Mayors in the pipeline?

Ian explained that the Government wishes to see Elected Mayors across the country. Ian sees his responsibility as responding to the Government’s policies and interpreting them in a way that benefits residents and protects the most vulnerable residents from the biggest cuts. Ian repeated that an emerging vision for the City will be consulted on which will include residents, businesses and key stakeholders to ensure transparency and openness. Ian assured that all views would be considered and evaluated as part of this process.

Ian noted his praise following the Evening Business Awards event at the Stadium, which demonstrated the energy and enterprise of many of the City’s companies. Ian was also impressed with Salford City Council officers and Jon Monk of The Business Group and hopes the awards will go from strength to strength in the coming years.

Mark Ashmore asked whether the Mayor’s office would support an independent forum of business leaders to make it easier for new businesses to thrive in Salford by lobbying for Enterprise Zones in the Chapel Street Area via Central Government and help with the costs of such a lobby, with a focus on digital service industries, entertainment and retail.

The City Mayor responded that he was not a great supporter of Enterprise Zones. He is in favour of a continuous review of regulationsand the coalition government does not have any plans at present to create any further enterprise zones.

Jon Monk asked how does the Council intend to support local businesses throughout the next few years, particularly now that Salford Hundred Venture has closed.

Ian explained that the City shouldprovide assistance to businesses, and that officers can help to provide services that can assist businesses to grow but it is the employers’ and workers’ job to make things grow. He reinforced the need for creativity and enterprise, and assured people that there is a new start up programme in place for Salford residents to be delivered through a consortium or providers led by Blue Orchid; the city council’s business Team can provide further details.

Andy Salmon noted that he loves living in the area and has lived here for eight years. There are historic buildings but derelict sites and Andy is concerned about the decline in the standards of maintenance, especially within a conservation area. He asked what can be done to improve environmental maintenance in the area.

Ian responded by explaining that the challenge is striking the balance between economic development, learning development and social development between constraints we have such as smaller budgets.The Mayor noted that design plays a role in reducing maintenance levels. It was agreed that Andy and Dave Robinson would go on site after the meeting to look at the maintenance issues.

Dave Robinson said that thanks to Karen Hirst’s team they are now being consulted before planning and are influencing design and they are working with Karen’s team to find the best way to do things. They can now address culture, attitude and approach.

4.Feedback from the ECf consultation event on 31st August 2012 on Plot E3 and regeneration update

Phil Mayall thanked everyone who attended the events for their feedback. They had tried to widely advertise both events but people inadvertently get missed off. The Salford Central website all the plans, elevations and images, together with email addresses for people to submit comments to. The scheme went to the Regional Design Review Panel “Places Matter” and was well received. Phil to circulate the letter when they receive it. Regarding the points raised at the Cathedral Centre –Phil to circulate a note to the Forum members. They are sifting through the comments received to see what can be incorporated and then it will become a Salford City Council application. SCC will consult through the statutory period. They have just appointed the University of Salford to undertake archaeological work on four of the plots.

5.Middlewood – feedback on the consultation

Unfortunately no-one was able to attend to give feedback. This item to be deferred to the December meeting.

6.Planning applications – update and status

Councillor Coen – student accommodation – need to give statistics on supply and demand. Karen Hirst to report back to Councillors.

Ena Shepherd referred to the problems with students at night, and the University of Salford’s double-decker bus negotiating Adelphi Street and Silk Street when cars are parked either side. Councillor Humphreys attended the Transport Policy forum the evening before and suggested that a single-decker bus may alleviate the problem. Linda Tomkins to raise this issue back at the University of Salford and will report back to the next meeting.

The question was asked whether the Councillors should let members of the public know of any applications within their area. Andy noted the need for neutrality and CouncillorAntrobus confirmed that they were bound by legislation to consult.

7.Key Events – attendees to bring along fliers/bulletins for distribution

1st – 4th November – Film Media Festival. Greengate Flat Iron Markets.

If you have any events you want to promote at this Forum, please bring fliers to the meetings. Mark Ashmore asked how you could advertise events on the banners on Chapel Street.

8.Issues for future agendas

  • University of Salford Engagement;
  • Middlewood;
  • Greengate public realm;
  • University of Salford bus

9. Next meeting – date and venue

The next meeting is to be held onFriday 7th December at 11.00 a.m. – the venue now confirmed as Islington Mill.

Future meetings dates are:

Friday 8th March 2013 at 11.00 a.m. (venue to be confirmed at the December meeting)

Friday 21st June 2013 at 11.00 a.m.

14. Any other business

Councillor Coen said we should encourage the use of cycling.

It was asked whether this Forum could move to an evening. However it was noted that Community Committees take place in the evenings and this Forum has always been a daytime one.

Cllr Coen asked whether a Facebook page could be set up, or Hessel suggested a newsletter being distributed. Cllr Dennett asked whether it could be opened up publicly. Andy to give it some thought. The Terms of Reference to be circulated to Forum Members. A sub-page to be set up under the Salford Central website to included past Forum minutes.

ACTIONS FROM THE MEETING

Action / Target Date / Lead
Phil to circulate the letter from the Regional Design Review Panel when he receives it. / Phil Mayall/
Julie Tracey
Linda Tomkins to raise the issue of the University of Salford bus / ASAP / Linda Tomkins
Check with Islington Mill if they can host the December meeting. / ASAP / Julie Tracey–venue now confirmed
Sub-page to be set up under the website to include previous Forum minutes / ASAP / Corina Boyle (this has now “gone live”)
Look at the circulation list to see if it needs refreshing / ASAP / Karen Hirst has done this
Circulate the Terms of Reference before the December meeting with the minutes / 3rd December 2012 / Karen Hirst

-1-