Meeting Details

There were no items which had been subject of call-in. 

The Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Economic Development submitted a report which summarised activities and major events in the past year in Carlisle City Centre and an update on planned events and activities for 2023 to help stimulate economic recovery. (CS.04/23)

The Destination Manager played a short video for the Panel which set out the 2022/23 events and activities including the International Markets (Easter and August Bank Holiday), Carlisle Hawker Festival, Christmas Events, the City of Lights and provided an update on the High Streets Task Force and the Carlisle Market Square and the Greenmarket.

In considering the report Members raised the following comments and questions:

- A Member commented that the last City of Lights even had been fantastic, however, it was noted that there had been limited options for food and drink at the time of the event.  How were local businesses being encouraged to engage with the events that were held within the City Centre?

The Destination Manager responded that discussions were carried out with local licensing trade to coincide with events in addition, businesses were provided with information to market their own business in line with the events.  An example of this working successfully had been during the Fire Show when a local business offered special family deals during the event.  Other local businesses benefited from the additional footfall during events.

- The report set out how well received events had been and what the estimated footfall had been, what was this information based on?

The Destination Manager explained that an economic impact assessment had been produced which included questions which had been put to people in attendance at the events.  The Head of Health and Wellbeing agreed to circulate the report to Members.

- Would free or discounted tickets for the next City of Lights event be offered to those on lower income?

The Destination Manager reminded the Panel that free tickets had been given to Carlisle Foodbank for distribution for the first two events and tickets were given to asylum seekers living in Carlisle for the last event.  The Destination Manager encouraged Members to inform him if there was a specific group that they would like to be considered for free tickets.

- What publicity was undertaken for city centre events?

The Destination Manager explained that all events were promoted outwith the City to encourage visitors to come to Carlisle.  There had been an extensive marketing strategy for the Christmas Market and it had been promoted in several cities across the country.

- How would continuity be provided for events as the Local Government Reorganisation moved forward?

The Head of Health and Wellbeing responded that the events team were in the process of preparing a plan of the proposed events for the year.  This was the usual timescale for the work; however, the proposals would be submitted to the Cumberland Council instead of the City Council.  At this stage the team were working as normal and making the preparations as they usually would.  The Head of Health and Wellbeing confirmed that plans were being prepared for the King's coronation.

The Panel were strongly in favour of the events continuing in the City and felt that they supported the economic growth by encouraging visitors into the City Centre.

RESOLVED - (1) The Panel had considered the contents of CS.04/23 and contributed to emerging thinking regarding economic recovery and renewal of Carlisle City Centre. 

(2) That the Economic Assessment report be circulated to the Panel for their information.

The Corporate Director of Economic Development provided an update on the Reimagining the Greenmarket / Market Square Project, which formed part of the Council's Future High Streets Fund programme. (ED.04/23)

The Head of Regeneration reported on the work undertaken so far on the Project, the concept designs that had been produced and analysis of responses from the two public consultations undertaken in July and November/December 2022.

In considering the report Members raised the following comments and questions:

- The Panel had concerns with regard to the future maintenance cost of some of the designs.

The Head of Regeneration noted the concerns and agreed that any future maintenance cost would have to be part of the considerations to reach the final design.  He clarified that the concepts in the document were the initial strategic designs to gauge response.  The final design could be one or a mix of the concepts.

- A Member agreed that the City Centre needed additional greenery and a performance space, however, he noted that one of the concepts had a lower level and he warned against this from a trip hazard perspective.

The Head of Regeneration took the comments on board and highlighted the level change in the site that would have to be incorporated into the final design.  

- The Panel liked many parts of the concepts but wanted to ensure that the whole design for the areas flowed as one and were not separate, they also requested that the final design did not 'block' any other parts of the City Centre which prevented access to the area as a whole.

- The Panel asked if there was a way to re-use or recycle materials that were being removed from the area.

The Head of Regeneration confirmed that, where possible, materials would be saved and reused.

- A Member supported the proposals for the area, however, he was concerned that a number of large premises in the City Centre were empty or, following Local Government reorganisation, would become empty.

The Corporate Director of Economic Development explained that although discussions with regard to the Debenhams site were taking place it had to be acknowledged that retail had changed and no there was no longer a requirement for large premises.  It was key for the Council to ensure that the City Centre diversified and brought in a different footfall.  The City Centre needed to become a place people could meet, for a variety of reasons, and work was underway to provide places for this to happen.

- A Member supported the flexibility of the proposals and agreed an event space was beneficial to the City.  He commented that parking at the Bank Street / English Street area of the City would need to be addressed.

The Head of Regeneration explained that the whole area had been considered but the focus was this project, which had funding in place.  Improvements to the other area of the City Centre would require detailed public realm design work and as well as a review of Traffic Regulation Orders and disabled parking.  He agreed that the City Centre as a whole required an holistic approach to improvements.

- Members urged officers to include additional seating in the City Centre as they felt adequate seating was lacking.

In response to a further question the Head of Regeneration acknowledged the issues with the movement of tourists in the City and confirmed that part of the design plan would ensure that visitors were directed and encouraged to visit the Historic Quarter of the City.

The Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder cautioned against the use of water jets in the design and requested that sustainable transport was given some consideration in the design especially for those using cycles.

RESOLVED - that the Panel

1. Noted the work undertaken to develop the scope and concept designs for the Project outlined in Section 2 of ED.04/23;
2. Noted the results of the recent consultation on the concept designs for the Project outlined in Section 3 of ED.04/23;
3. Provided feedback on the concept designs for the Project set out in Table 1 of ED.04/23 to inform the next stage of development;
4. Noted the risks to the delivery of the Project outlined in Section 4 of ED.04/23;
5. Requested that an update on the next phase of the design be brought back to the Panel if possible.

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer submitted the Overview Report (OS.05/23) which gave an overview of the Place Panel.  

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer highlighted the progress on resolution from previous meetings and it was agreed that resolutions 1 (PLP.25/22) and 2. (PLP.33/22) be removed from the table.

It was noted that the agenda for the final meeting of the Panel had a significant number of items, the Panel agreed that the Chair review the proposed items along with the Policy and Scrutiny Officer and the Corporate Director of Economic Development.  The Panel agreed that the Section 106 Activity Update and the Performance Report Q.3 2022/23 reports be circulated to the Panel as 'for information only' items.

RESOLVED – 1) That report OS.05/23 be noted. 

2) That the Chair, Policy and Scrutiny Officer and Corporate Director of Economic Development review the outstanding items in the Panel's work programme and identity the items to be included in the agenda for 2 March 2023.