Agenda item

The Strategic Planning Specialist presented the report to members. She explained that the priorities summarised in the report were identified at the members’ workshop held on 13^th June 2018.  She advised that following this workshop, she hoped that the Area East Committee could agree that these priorities should be considered by District Executive for inclusion in the Council Plan.

The Lead Specialist – Strategic Planning, confirmed that the priorities report for District executive would be accompanied by detailed evidence. 

In response to questions over the evidence types, specifically relating to the need for an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP), she advised that the type of evidence required was guided by Sport England. She further added that the evidence types used did not highlight a need for an AGP in Wincanton, however advised that members could still include this as an Area East priority to refer to District Executive for agreement if they wished.

The Chairman advised that although the evidence showed little need for an AGP in Area East, local knowledge should also be used. He pointed out that the only AGP’s in the area were owned by private schools, which was not made clear in the evidence gathered.

The Lead Specialist – Strategic Planning, suggested that the official evidence could be supplemented by local knowledge.

Another member felt that tourism should also be included as an Area East Priority. There are a number of tourist attractions in Area East and felt that tourism was important and should be promoted in the Area.

Members discussed the use of websites and social media to publicise tourist attractions and events. Members felt that a tourism event would be useful.

It was proposed and seconded that a further priority should be added to the list to promote tourism in the area. No vote was taken at this time.

The Locality Manager advised that there will be ‘Area Chapters’ to cover other important aims for the area and assured members that items which are not included within the Council Plan, could still be an area priority within the area chapters.

Another member commented that the provision of an AGP should be a priority, however transport and jobs were also discussed as priorities.

The Locality Manager advised members that exceptions to new rules were being considered to help ease issues affecting community transport drivers. He advised that these considerations were on going following lobbying and he hoped to have further details during autumn.

It was proposed and seconded that the provision of an AGP in Area East should be added as a priority. On being put to the vote, this was carried 6 votes in support, with 1 abstention.

The Lead Specialist - Strategic Planning agreed that the evidence provided to DX would be supplemented by local knowledge. She advised that the list of priorities would be finalised by December and would be referred to DX in February 2019.

Members agreed that promoting tourism to Somerset should be highlighted as a priority, however members discussed whether this should be an Area East priority, or a South Somerset priority.

It was proposed and seconded that the promoting of tourism, within Area East and the wider district and the wider Somerset, should be included as an additional Area East priority as well as the provision of an AGP in Area East.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that the 2 additional Strategic Priorities for Area East, which were the provision of an AGP and the promotion of Tourism within Area East and the wider district and the wider Somerset, be included on the report for presentation to District Executive for consideration for inclusion in the Council Plan.