Decision details

a)      That Members approve the proposals set out in the report and authorise officers to take the necessary steps to implement:

                                 I.      initiatives 2, 3 and 4 on a six-month trial basis commencing 1 October 2013, including liaison with the Town Centre Partnership, and;

                               II.      initiative 1 in consultation with the County Council, as soon as practically possible.

b)      That Members note the decision taken to accept the proposals from Bemrose Booth Mobile to implement on a 12-month trial basis the three initiatives described in the report and to accept the related Grant offer.

c)      That the financial implications of the trial upon the Council’s revenue and capital budgets be met from the Bemrose Booth Mobile grant offer, as set out in the report.

d)      That the balance of the Bemrose Booth Mobile grant offer be retained to support any ongoing urgent repair/maintenance works of the former St. Giles and St. Georges School Building.

e)      That in respect of initiative 2 the trial be established with the understanding that the Town Centre Partnership would work with local businesses to develop the refund element of the double ticketing scheme.

f)        That Members urge the Town Centre Partnership to establish a retail index scheme to monitor trade in order to evaluate any improvements in, and/or displacement of, trade. 

g)      That officers report back to Cabinet with an evaluation of the trial as soon as practically possible after the end of the 6-month trial period.

h)      That officers seek to agree with Cabinet Members the most appropriate approach to consulting stakeholders on the matters referred to in this report.