To receive an update from the Deputy Chief Executive, Programme Delivery.

N.B. This item was brought forward at the Vice-Chairman’s discretion. 

 

The Chairman welcomed Adrian Sibley, Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) to the Meeting who was in attendance to deliver a presentation to Members on the Towns Fund Projects (a copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix B to the Minutes).

 

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward on the following projects:

 

Sutton on Sea Colonnade

 

The Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) highlighted to Members that the project had been officially named as the ‘Seaview Colonnade’ and that operator discussions were ongoing with an expected opening date of Summer 2025. 

 

Members were further advised that the nearby Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) pitch on the King George V Playing field was in the advanced planning stages and was also expected to be in use by Summer 2025.

 

·         A Member queried the type of surfaces which had been installed for the tennis court and the measures being implemented for policing and protecting the courts.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) explained to Members that the surface at the Seaview Colonnade was all-weather and that usage was intended as a non-competitive fun-based tennis court which presented less opportunities for damage.  Members were assured that an operator would be in place to monitor usage of the court and that the same operator would be resurfacing two further tennis courts in Mablethorpe as part of the MUGA agreement.

 

·         A Member further commented that it would have been beneficial for Pickleball courts to have been marked out, which was a sport that was growing in popularity.

 

At this point in the Meeting, Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders asked it be noted that she partook in sports at facilities which worked in partnership with East Lindsey District Council.

 

·         Councillor Graham Marsh as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction commented on a recent visit to the Seaview Colonnade with the Peer Group and highlighted the great benefits which the project would provide to Sutton on Sea and East Lindsey’s coastal strip.

 

·         A Member commented on the suitability of the name of Seaview Colonnade and proposed that an alternative name of Sand Dune View Colonnade would have been more appropriate.   In response, the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) assured Members that the name had been through public consultation and that a sea view was observed on the first and second floor of the building. 

 

·         A Member stressed the importance of securing an operator to maximise potential benefits.

 

·         A Member further commented on the success of the project and made reference to the historic neglect and vandalism of the previous MUGA pitch, highlighting that public opinion in the area was changing.

 

·         A Member queried whether CCTV was being installed to monitor the tennis court.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) advised Members that CCTV installation would incur additional costs and would need additional consideration.   Jon Challen, Safer Communities Service Manager further advised Members that CCTV was already installed on the Colonnade Building and surrounding areas.

 

The Assistant Director (Economic Growth) further commented that the range of activity that had been taking place in Sutton on Sea was primarily due to investment from the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) working in collaboration with the local community and local businesses, and that the funding from Arts Council England was provided under a three-year programme which the Council had recently been invited to extend.

 

·         A Member sought clarification on plans for harvesting and managing rainwater and questioned the longevity of the building when rainwater would be resting on flat roofs.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) advised Members that technical information would be obtained from the relevant service.

 

·         A Member further commented that there was an extensive attenuation tank where the tennis court was located, and that significant groundwork had been undertaken to provide a suitable drainage system.

 

·         A Member further queried whether solar panels had been installed on the roof of the Seaview Colonnade.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) confirmed that this was correct.

 

Mablethorpe Leisure and Learning Hub

 

·         A Member requested an update on learning provisions at the Mablethorpe Leisure and Learning Hub.  In response, the Assistant Director (Economic Growth) advised Members that a flexible space had been provided with hotspot desks for children and adults to do work and that opportunities were available for group classes and afterschool clubs. 

 

·         Members were further advised that case studies were coming forward from the Council’s Partner Magna Vitae which highlighted that staff had developed new skills, and that a connectivity with the Campus for Future Living had been created through a steering group.

 

·         A Member further queried whether a progress report would become available.  In response, the Assistant Director (Economic Growth) confirmed to Members that the Council was providing a full report to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at the end of November 2024.

 

Saul Farrell, UKSPF Programme Manager further advised Members that the Mablethorpe Leisure and Learning Hub was providing great value as a venue for people and skills initiatives funded through the UKSPF and by working in Partnership.

 

·         A Member praised the benefits of the project which was supporting and providing value to the town and people of Mablethorpe.

 

·         Councillor Graham Marsh as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction further advised Members that information on events taking place at each Magna Vitae venue was circulated to Members quarterly in Members’ Point Brief.

 

Campus for Future Living

 

·         The Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) advised Members that contracts for the Campus for Future Living were awaiting finalisation and that tenants were expected to be in place by April 2025.

 

·         Emily Spicer, Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) further advised Members that she had the role of Project Sponsor for the Campus which aimed to improve the lives of people in East Lindsey.   Members were further advised that project sponsor meetings took place monthly and that regular attendance at the Campus by officers, partners and Portfolio Holders and greater collaboration aimed to help influence health inequalities and deprivation in the area.

 

·         The Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) explained to Members that ACIS Group who provided additional services to help people across Lincolnshire had joined as a leasing Partner and that proposals for a Steering Group was moving forward with herself, Roxanne Warrick as Service Manager for Healthy Living and Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing.

 

·         Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing commented on the groundbreaking initiative that the Campus for Future Living would provide to improving people’s health and wellbeing, and assured Members that the business case was on track to achieve its potential over a 5-year period. 

 

·         A Member commented on the significant benefits that the Campus for Future Living would bring to the residents and the wider area of Mablethorpe and stressed the importance of keeping the public informed.

 

·         A Member commented that the Health Service failed to understand how to attract people and services to the East Coast.  In response, Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing supported that services needed to be attracted to the East Coast and that the Campus would set out to achieve this aim. 

 

Further to a discussion, it was agreed that a progress update would be provided to the Committee in three months’ time.

 

Mobi-Hub

 

Members were advised that there were no significant updates to report on this project and that negotiations with Grayscroft Coaches was in the advanced stages.

 

Cultural Skegness

 

Members were advised that the cultural engagement facility work had commenced in September 2024 and completion was expected to be on schedule for March 2025.

 

·         A Member commented on the attractiveness of the design of the wavy roof and supported new design ideas.

 

Skegness Foreshore

 

Members were advised that the Travelodge and Starbucks Coffee Shop had been secured to anchor the site and that the remaining lots would be retendered at a future date.

 

·         A Member queried the provisions in place should the remaining lots remain unsold.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) advised Members that the site was a more attractive opportunity with anchor tenants in place and that no further plans had been made at this stage.

 

·         A Member commented that Skegness needed all year-round attractions particularly for rainy weather.  In response, the Assistant Director (Economic Growth) advised Members that Skegness already provided indoor attractions such as the Aquarium and that the redevelopments at the Embassy Theatre and the UKSPF attractions along the coast would ensure that the development offer in Skegness continued to improve.

 

No further comments or questions were received.

 

The Vice-Chairman thanked the Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) for his informative update.