Town Deal Board record of meeting held 28 January 2025

Time: 14:00hrs

Membership

Councillors:

• T Wainwright
• D Candon

Council Officers:

• S Oxtoby (Chief Executive)
• P Boyce (Executive Director - Resources)
• N Hayes (Executive Director - Place)
• K Sly (Executive Director - Resources)
• D Glason (Head of Capital Projects & Growth)
• C Dyble (Head of Communications & Marketing)
• T Williams (Communications Manager)
• J Prosser (Social Media Manager)
• T Read (Project Manager)
• S Cosham (Project Coordinator, Minute Taker)

Other members:

• Henry Cator (Cator & Co) (Chairman)
• L Bevan (Visit Great Yarmouth)
• L Gibb (Barclays)
• L Hogg (Voluntary Norfolk)
• P Mace (Norfolk County Council)
• C Richards (East Norfolk Sixth Form)
• C Sargisson (Hethel Innovation)
• T Staff (Barclays)
• H Sturzaker (Civic Society of Great Yarmouth)
• Inspector A Tomlinson (Norfolk Constabulary)
• G Wall (DWP)
• J Wedon (Great Yarmouth MP Office)
• B Williamson (Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust)

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from:

• Cllr C Smith (Great Yarmouth Borough Council Leader)
• I Robertson (Executive Director - Major Projects)
• K Dinis (Project Director)
• S Best (Head of Inward Investment)
• J Barber (JPUH NHS Foundation Trust)
• D Barker (GYPT)
• L Bowater (UEA)
• R Lowe (MP for Great Yarmouth)
• N Fairbank (Norfolk Chamber of Commerce)
• R Goffin (Peel Ports)
• H Jeffery (Ellandi)
• J Mackintosh (Out There Arts)
• K Moore (Environment Agency)
• P Padda (Principle, East Coast College)
• J Pearson (Thetford Town Board)
• U Rasan (East Coast College)
• C Roberts-James (Home England)
• D Rosembert (Great Yarmouth Charter Academy)
• J Sargeant (Bradwell Parish Council)
• S Taylor (Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk)
• L Wigby (Norfolk Community Foundation).

Absent were:

• M Askam (Chief Inspector)
• E Dewsnap (Active Norfolk)
• H Harcus (Ellandi)
• B Hogston (NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board)
• R Hunt (NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board)
• J Jay (Jays UK Ltd)
• K Keable (EEEGR)
• H King (DWP)
• M Lazarus (MHCLG)
• C Miller (Chief Inspector)
• J Nix (Department for Work & Pensions)
• S Rhoden (Norfolk County Council)
• B Stone (Norfolk County Council)

2. Declarations of Interest

No declarations were made.

3. Minutes of previous meeting

The Minutes from the 04 October 2024 meeting were AGREED as accurate and approved by the Chairman.

4. Project and Programme Update (by exception)

The Project Programme Update presentation was NOTED by the Board. Those projects discussed by exception were:

• O&M Campus: S Oxtoby gave a summary overview of the presentation slide; Phase 1 is expected to complete July 2025; Phase 2 is running in parallel, Cabinet approved a budget increase for construction
• The Place: S Oxtoby gave a summary overview of the presentation slide; Easter open is expected with a formal grand opening scheduled early May
• Market Realm: S Oxtoby gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, completion is expected to coincide with The Place
• Restoration of Winter Gardens: S Oxtoby gave a summary overview of the presentation slide; Main Contractor procurement is progressing, expected to award contract by April and works programmed to commence from May/June
• The Conge: S Oxtoby gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, planning application from strategic partner is live. Work on the South side is expected to commence
• North Quay Riverside Gateway: S Oxtoby gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, a report is expected at Cabinet in February to approve identified master developer
  • Land assembly on the site area is ongoing with landowners
  • Vauxhall Bridge has been cited as crucial to the development of North Quay, Cabinet report setting out budget and funding is expected February 2025
• Rail Station Improvements: D Glason gave a summary overview of the presentation slide; Funding application made, confirmed award; Infrastructure investment across the site being designed such as connecting bus points
• Business Incubator Units: D Glason gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, business plan is being progressed and alternative funding sources being investigated
• South Denes Masterplan: D Glason gave a summary overview of the presentation slide. Procurement of a masterplan and marketing strategy has progressed to evaluation
• Historic Buildings: N Hayes gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, status was noted by the Board
  • Project business case for St John's Church has been updated and finalised
  • B Williamson added apprenticeship places have been identified and students being appointed
• Historic Icehouse: N Hayes gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, confirm opening is scheduled alongside the 2025 Out There Festival
• Wayfinding sculpture trail: N Hayes gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, relocation of Portuguese paving has been approved by the Conservation Officer. Contractors are being appointed to complete installations
• Wayfinding Town Wall: N Hayes gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, safety and stabilisation works being scoped with input from structural engineers - this will be completed at the end of the Town Deal programme in March 2026
• Smart Digital Connectivity: N Hayes gave a summary overview of the presentation slide, incorporating public wi-fi and Humap trail and digital trail anticipate completion end 2025
• C Richards enquired if a map of the sculpture trail had been previously presented, T Read confirmed the trail route had been previously presented and approved by the Board - this will be circulated with the minutes for information

5. Pride in Yarmouth campaign update

S Oxtoby and C Dyble set out proposals for a community wide engagement campaign that aims to increase civic pride and stakeholder/resident responsibility of keeping their local communities clean. Engagement with local businesses, internal stakeholders will commence to build information of deliverability and desired outputs for the campaign. Would aim to launch the campaign publicly as part of the tourism season and applied across the Borough.

The Chairman conveyed appreciation to the Marketing and Engagement Team developing such an ambitious campaign and the hard work they deliver.

H Sturzaker questioned how the campaign would be marketed and engagement of residents achieved. S Oxtoby confirmed the Long-Term Plan Government team are expected to make further announcements which will be factored into publicity planning and compliance with funding conditions. There is a degree of capacity funding available for FY 25/26 which will enable dedicated resource towards campaigns such as Pride of Yarmouth.

The Board reflected on what Great Yarmouth would look and feel like if the regeneration work and investment to date had not been made; examples included depreciated seafront, lack of job generation and increased empty units in the town centre. But there are ways to better communicate the level of investment and improvements being made.

H Sturzaker voiced praise for the maintenance team who have improved the cleanliness of the town in recent months.

D Candon asked whether a year-ahead milestone press spread could be issued that sets out the ambitions for the next year, which is followed by initiative specific updates routinely issued. The Board agreed this to be explored.

T Wainwright raised concern that social media is currently following a trend of putting down Great Yarmouth, which needs addressing. Could a media campaign with greater use across Board stakeholders utilise their media accounts to convey projects, conditions of funding that determine investment. This would be a worthwhile topic to raise with the new Youth Board to generate suggestions.

Love Portsmouth was proposed as a good example of the style and type of campaign that could be successful. C Dyble confirmed full campaign planning is due to commence start of February. The views expressed by the Board will be built into the campaign planning.

6. Long -term plan, engagement and UKSPF updates

N Hayes outlined UKSPF funding allocation splits and intended launch financial years. Confirmed the 25/26 allocation is fully allocated. A reminder of the investment priorities and its 5 overarching initiatives was presented to the Board. A copy of the presentation will be circulated with the minutes.

A new round of Selective Licensing will be launched, commencing with public consultation over summer/autumn 2025 with intention to increase coverage of the scheme by January 2026.

7. Youth Board update

Minutes of the Youth Board circulated with the agenda package was noted. C Richards set out the students were engaged and have taken ownership of self-governing the Board. The YB will be establishing its own committees, expanding across more schools/colleges to participate. The Board has discussed its priority interests which are empty shops, fly tipping, food production and job opportunities.

The Board appreciated the endorsement of the Youth Board. Members are welcome to attend future meetings as they are held at Town Hall Council Chamber.

C Richards invited members of the Board to attend as guest speakers, to help them learn more about local governance, businesses and community stakeholders.

8. Any other business

None declared.

Date of next meeting

• 28 April 2025 at 1pm
• 21 July 2025 at 1pm
• 06 October 2025 at 1pm

Meetings are held in person at Town Hall.

Meeting closed at 14:49hrs.

Action Summary

• updated copy of sculpture trail map to be circulated to Board Members (T Read)