(Key decision):
(1) To note the progress on the business case outlining the investment potential and opportunities within the Newhaven Town Centre area.
(2) To approve the allocation of funding of up to £500,000 from the property acquisition and development budget in respect of consultancy, professional fees, and surveys to fund the project up to the letting of the construction contract.
(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Director of Service Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Impact (and where appropriate the Chief Finance Officer and Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Services) to progress the project through the Energy & Sustainability Joint Venture if they consider it appropriate and at an appropriate future stage to decide the project should be put forward to the JV Steering Board for inclusion as a Part 1 and/or Part 2 project.
(4) To delegate authority to enter into an agreement for lease of the property to the Director of Regeneration and Planning on the basis of the conditions and terms that are no worse than those set out in the report; such delegation to include authorisation not to dispose by auction or invitation of tenders following public advertisement (sought under Contract Procedure Rule 18.1) for those leases.
(5) To approve the proposal to allow free parking of at least 30 minutes, perhaps more, depending on officer modelling, in both Lower Place and Dacre Road multi-storey car parks to support the regeneration strategy for Newhaven and that authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Service Delivery to implement the decision.
(6) To delegate authority to the Interim Director of Service Delivery to request that East Sussex County Council amends the Traffic Regulation Order and associated on-street and off-street parking places orders to ensure enforcement against nuisance parking, and that parking violations on Denton Island may also be enforced.
(7) To approve the commissioning of a feasibility study to regularise parking at Railway Quay to provide additional parking in advance of the redevelopment of the town centre.