Agenda item

Janet Roskilly - (Southgate on behalf of the Friends of Goffs Park)

Since the increase in new housing units, there is a need for more amenities in parks, the most expensive being public toilets. Sadly there were public toilets but these were burnt down.  Additionally, part of the land in Goffs Park is officially part of Crawley’s war memorial to the First World War. There are funding bodies we could work with to raise funds, but how can we work together to achieve these amenities?

Supplementary Question

You are aware that the drains are damaged?

Councillor Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing)

In particular reference to the toilets within Goffs Park, I have asked officers to complete an investigation into the feasibility to have toilet provision, probably by the pitch and putt area. However funding is an issue.

Councillor Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing)

We are aware of the drainage issues and we are currently investigating.  On the war memorial, I would mention Crowd Funding as a potential option.  I would be happy to come along to one of your Goffs Park meetings to provide you with further information.

Richard Symonds (Ifield on behalf of the Ifield Society)

Ifield Brook Meadows in Ifield has been dedicated a green space.  Please can the Council confirm if the Homes and Communities Agency and its associates have again earmarked for development a small area within Ifield Brook Meadow, a small and beautiful area where they destroyed two small bridges and thus preventing community access along this river bank?

Councillor P Smith

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development)

I will send you a formal written response. I am familiar with Ifield Brook Meadow and it was included in the Council’s Local Plan, which was adopted in December 2015. The local green space designation implies that green belt policies apply to Ifield Green Meadow for it to be safeguarded from development under planning legislation.  It is additionally a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, which provides further protection and the northern part of the site is situated in the Ifield Village Conservation Area.  As far as the Council is aware Homes England has accepted that there should not be any development on the site and no notification or planning application has been received, however we would not necessarily be aware if they were planning any action on the site. 

Charles Crane (Bewbush)

I’ve heard it said that the new town hall won’t cost the council a penny. I’ve also read that funding for the town hall will be from commercial offices and also the housing element of the scheme.  So please can you tell me how the town hall will be funded (particularly the town hall part of the structure), initially and in the future?

Supplementary Question

Are you yet in a position to say how much it’s going to cost (particularly the town hall part) including interest?

Councillor Lamb

(Leader of the Council)

I don’t know if this falls under the 6 month rule the same question previously was asked but the information is currently commercially sensitive and consequently we are not obliged to discuss funding.  However if you would like to come and discuss further I would be happy to do so.

Councillor Lamb

(Leader of the Council)

The town hall cost of the structure will be free to the council at the end of the process, however it’s important that all factors are taken into account and you need to understand all the details.

Darren Kirkham (Tilgate)

Currently there are a number of independent, small businesses due for rent review on the parades.  In a number of cases there are proposals for an increase in excess of 30% putting the sustainable futures of some of these businesses at risk.  Is the council in favour of supporting the sustainable futures of small, independent, local businesses to maintain the diverse local feel of the parade or do the landscapes of our parades need to resemble the high street with the same multi-national companies?

Supplementary Question

It wasn’t Tilgate Bakery I wanted to be specific about it was more the parades in general across the town and whether the Council had formed a position, but I recognise there needs to be a balance.

Councillor P Smith

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development)

The Council is keen to support local businesses but it also has a duty to generate income for our council tax payers from our commercial properties.  We have a dedicated team that manages the rent.  At the last review there were very few empty properties.  However if you would like to come in I would be happy to discuss your property, Tilgate Bakery, I believe, with you.

Councillor P Smith

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

There are some businesses that have issues with their rent, not surprisingly.  Currently we have no funds available and are obliged to maximise the income we receive from our commercial properties.

Robin Duke (Tilgate)

In a small business, when under tremendous pressure on prices from the internet and rates, are you filling the empty shops with businesses that are profitable?

Supplementary Question

This could be the peak of things and heading for a downward trend with small businesses forced to sign long leases and pay high rents.

Councillor Lamb

(Leader of the Council)

The issue is a national one. The Council retains very little in terms of business rates. As Councillor Smith alluded to the Council’s commercial properties are there to provide a revenue stream. If we were to introduce a programme of subsidised rent that would need to be offset from elsewhere and impact on services. We have a rule in the past to limit a certain number of specific retail outlets on the same parades to avoid impact.

Councillor P Smith

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development)

We are willing to listen to concerns and we not unsympathetic.