Issue - meetings

That cabinet approves planned changes to the High Street and St James’ Square to widen footways, improve the public realm and reallocate space from the carriageway and on-street parking to facilitate this.

In doing so, cabinet authorises the Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism and the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Neighbourhoods to use available resources to develop and deliver whichever aspects of the plans prove to be technically and financially viable within the timeframe of the HAZ scheme, and to seek additional resource  to develop and deliver the remaining viable elements in due course. 

Furthermore, cabinet authorises the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Neighbourhoods to prioritise and work towards measures to reduce the volume and size of vehicles moving through the High Street by developing alternative routes and arrangement around the town centre.

This was a part of the overall Heritage Action Zone scheme in Newport, and was intended to bring changes and improvements to the High Street area. The proposals would be jointly funded by Historic England, the Isle of Wight Council and Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC) with a total funding of £1.4 million, some of which was time limited therefore it was important for a decision to be agreed. A six-week consultation had taken place as widely as possible, with the design panel including members of the community and other residents. It would contribute to the biosphere with its cultural aims and carbon target.

The council had worked with the horticulture department of the IW College when considering the proposed planting.

There was some concern expressed that the rest of the island residents had not been consulted and that the consultation should be undertaken again, There was also concern that the majority of the public were not aware of the decision that was to be made, and it was important to have a scheme the public would be happy with. NCCC had voted earlier in the week to ask Cabinet to defer a decision until September and increase public awareness of the proposals. However, it was confirmed that there had been a full and open consultation which had also been on social media for anyone to respond, and that local councillors should have encouraged their residents to engage with the consultation. There was a risk to delaying a decision that the funding from Historic England would have to be returned if not spent.

The council, jointly with NCCC had been funding a free hour’s parking in short stay car parks in Newport. In the time since it had commenced, there had been 8000 extra transactions.

RESOLVED:

Furthermore, cabinet authorises the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Neighbourhoods to prioritise and work towards measures to reduce the volume and size of vehicles moving through the High Street by developing alternative routes and arrangement around the town centre.