Meeting - September 2010

Notes of the meeting of 8 September 2010. Any corrections or amendments to the chairman please.

Convergence and the Strategic Investment Framework (SIF)
A ‘rapid review’ was being carried out by Cornwall Council and the Convergence team looking at all the remaining projects proposed in SIFs. It is clear that the total value of projects exceeds the money available. The aim is to arrive at a list of projects across the county which are transformational. The idea of allocating a notional sum of money to each area had been dropped.

It was expected that the review would conclude that funding should be provided for projects in the Docks and in support of the innovation centres surrounding CUC and in developing the industrial estates. This was in addition to money already provided for Watson Marlow and the rail passing loop.

The Convergence Programme Management Committee was meeting in October to take decisions.

Port of Falmouth Masterplan
This work is being funded by Convergence. Work is reaching a conclusion and it is hoped that the plan will be published for public consultation in October.

It was noted that the Docks have received approval to place concrete blocks on the sea bed to create the new marina. They are now seeking finance for the development.

The Local Economic Partnership (LEP)
SWRDA is being abolished and everyone has been asked for expressions of interest for ‘private sector driven’ LEPs. Cornwall Council has submitted a bid for a LEP covering Cornwall and the IoS under the heading of Empowering Enterprise, one of 56 across the country. LEPs would be able to bid for the £1 billion available in a new Regional Development Fund (less than was available to the old RDAs).

While delighted that Cornwall had made its mark, there was a feeling that the whole bid was too public sector orientated. The process had been hurried and almost invisible with poor levels of consultation with the private sector, difficult though it was to reach this.

An LEP White Paper was expected from the government in October.

Transport issues
There had been a good meeting of the FTC/PTC Regeneration Committee recently which received some plain speaking about local transport issues. The big news is that the Treluswell Park and Rail scheme looks as though it has been parked. Some sort of eastern park and ride is likely to be developed for Truro but this will be much closer to Truro and is likely to involve buses.

Connecting Cornwall 2030 – Local Transport Plan consultation
A draft of the main strategic document has been published and comments are invited before 17 September. This is a very general document. The real meat will be in the local three year action plans which will be published in the autumn.

The Forum agreed to convene a sub-committee to respond to the strategic document consultation, drawing on the Community Plan. They would also work with the Transport Department on the action plan, prior to the consultation on that plan in November.

Church Street Car Park
Church Street Car Park is now on the Council’s radar as ‘a project’. They are carrying out research to explore the impact of the bollard on transport and are beginning to think about ways of improving the management and presentation of this central car park There is still a desire in the Transport Department to introduce 24 hour usage of the bollard.

There is a feeling that the various elements of Cornwall Council – Economic, Transport and Public Health are still not being terribly joined-up in their approach to the site.

Future of the Falmouth Tourist Information Centre (TIC)
It was noted that Visit Cornwall are no longer able to provide the ca £80k net funding required to run the TIC each year and are seeking partner(s) willing to take on the service. Alternative strategies were discussed. The meeting concluded that it would be better to bite the bullet and close the existing service and find a modern alternative rather than trying to find a partner able to take on such a staff-intensive service.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
This is a current priority for the FTC and its Planning Committee. A sub-group bringing together the education establishments in the towns, councillors and local planners was working on a general strategy.

350th Anniversary of the Falmouth Charter
2011 is the 350th anniversary of the Town’s Charter. Robin Dunseath is canvassing support for a series of celebrations and is approaching the usual suspects.

Community Plan (Lite)
Chris Smith is arranging an easy to read version of the Community Plan which should be available before Christmas

Town Framework Plan
Work was starting on this document which would replace the Local Plans and become the main planning document, setting out the main spatial strategy. The target was to complete it within 12 months. The FTC/PTC Regeneration Group would be leading on this. A future meeting of the Forum would discuss this in more detail.

Local news
Falmouth Week had been a great success with an active programme of shoreside events, especially the Red Arrows and Carnival which had raises £2,000 for charity.

The Oyster Festival and Christmas events were being planned. The latter would include a Santa run on 11 December.

The Poly was sorting itself out and was looking for 2000 new members to help secure its future

The Vospers hoardings at Ponsharden are shortly to be painted with the Falmouth brand to improve their look.

The planning appeal about the Admiral Nelson would be heard shortly

BID news
The AGM is to be held on 4 October

The new Falmouth website will be launched shortly using the domain www.falmouth.co.uk (grateful thanks to the Forum)

A PR company has been appointed and was already obtaining good coverage in major national media promoting Falmouth

Other news
The Chamber of Commerce is working with students of Plymouth university to carry out a user’s-eye-view of Falmouth as a tourism destination. This would be a year-long project. They are also linking in with the St Malo Chamber of Commerce which would require some visits.

UCF is opening its new £15.4m Performance Centre in a series of events 28 – 31 October.

Those attending the meeting:

Mike Reynolds - A& P Docks
Dick Styles - Civic Society
Scott Sharples - Cornwall Council
Paul Wickes - Cornwall Marine Network
Jeremy Edwards - Falmouth Chamber of Commerce
Pam Faulkner – Falmouth and District Hotels Association
John Langan - Falmouth Harbour Commissioners
David Stedman - Falmouth Marine School
Sally Styles - Falmouth Residents Association
Oliver Cramp – Falmouth Town Council
Richard Gates - Falmouth Town Manager
Jackie George - Falmouth Watersports Association
Neil Tinson - Falmouth and Penryn Churches Together
Jonathan Griffin – National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Rob Homewood - RIBA and Rotary
Jilly Easterby – UCF