Council and democracy

Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Minutes:

Councillor Coxshall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, introduced the report and was delighted to be doing so on behalf of residents and businesses in Thurrock.

 

Councillor Coxshall updated Members on the following:

 

That 80% of working age residents were in employment which was up by 6.4% on the same period last year which was a fantastic result.

 

That the Tilbury Masterplan had been launched based on what residents want.

 

Development on the Integrated Medical Centre on Civic Square had continued.

 

That a  £10.8 million grant from the Local Growth Fund (Round 3) to complete the funding package for a new foot crossing under the rail line in High Street in Grays with a new public square and shops, had been secured.

 

Purfleet Centre will deliver new homes and a new town centre in Spring 2018 and a new health centre by 2020.

 

That consultation continued with stakeholders on the Local Plan and that the forums met regularly.

 

Councillor Snell stated that there were lots in the report that had to be commended and that residents of Thurrock need to be reminded that all the regeneration was right and proper. That there may be a fear that regeneration was going too far and how much green belt would actually be left. Councillor Snell asked what regeneration work would be planned for old estates. Councillor Coxshall stated that at this time the Council were not in a position to confirm what green belt would be used.

 

Councillor Gerrish welcomed the progress made but that the biggest decisions would need to be made by the Council were on the Local Plan. Councillor Gerrish asked the Portfolio Holder for reassure that all public consultations would be listened to and that all parties would be given the opportunity to comment and contribute to the plans going forward. Councillor Coxshall stated that he would give his guarantee that consultations would take place and that engagement would continue on the Local Plan right up to the voting of Stage 2.

 

Due to the time of debate running out Councillor Coxshall would provide written responses to the following questions:

 

Councillor B Rice stated that the Portfolio Holder did not realise that the uncertainty of the amount of planned regeneration will impact on residents of Thurrock. Councillor B Rice asked the Portfolio Holder whether all Tilbury and Chadwell residents, regardless of what general practitioner they use now, would be able to access the services offered at the new Integrated Medical Centre in Tilbury.

 

Councillor Duffin questioned what work had the Portfolio Holder and the Council done to lower the target of 32,000 homes set by the Government.

 

Councillor Baldwin asked the Portfolio Holder to reassure community groups and charities that as part of the regeneration of Civic Square that they would not find themselves homeless or be forced to close will be met as part of the overall plan.

 

Councillor J Kent stated that there were challenges ahead and asked the Portfolio Holder how these challenges and opportunities would be addressed following Brexit.

 

Councillor G Rice asked the Portfolio Holder about the east face slip road into Lakeside from the A13.

 

Councillor Spillman stated that the potential of 32,000 new homes was a fantasy and that this process should be undertaken in a fair way and that these homes should be built for the residents of Thurrock, not of London.

 

Councillor Jones stated his concern with the Local Plan and that the number of houses had increased and with this increase in population how would the existing infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, cope.

 

Councillor Smith requested that the new partnerships in the Purfleet Regeneration engage with the Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee so that consideration can be given.

Supporting documents: