Agenda Item No_______11______
Summary:
The report notes the completion of the Holt Vision Study in
February 2012. The Vision report was funded in 2011 through
local second homes Council Tax funding and Holt Town Council.
The commission for the study was to identify key future priorities
for Holt through urban design, public realm and traffic
management improvements and economic and community wellbeing initiatives. The role that the District Council has played in
supporting the process to date is identified and highlighted. The
report also notes the potential partnership areas that Council
officers may be asked to support in developing the actions of the
Holt Vision as it is taken forward locally. The areas of support
that have been identified so far have yielded financial support for
taking forward a Neighbourhood Development Plan (wave 5) in
partnership with Holt Town Council. A bid put forward by the
Council for (£20,000) funding to support this scheme was
approved by the Department of Communities and Local
Government in March 2012.
Conclusions:
The Holt Vision Study 2012, has identified areas of support that
may be required by the council to consider on an individual basis
over the next three to five years as to how it may be able to
advise and potentially provide support to Holt Town Council
and/or through a new partnership that maybe formed under the
auspices of the Holt Vision Strategy Group as it moves forward
on a number of actions highlighted within the study.
Recommendations:
1. To endorse the Vision for Holt and acknowledge the value of
the study in identifying various urban design, traffic management
and economic and community schemes that can be taken
forward by named lead and partner organisations.
2. To agree that where NNDC can support actions based on the
assessment of the merits of the proposals put forward, that
officers will seek approval from Cabinet, on an individual basis
for support in the development of those proposals.
Cabinet member(s):
Wards affected
Contact Officer:
telephone number:
e-mail:
Trevor Ivory
Holt and surrounding wards
John Mullen
01263 516104- 07786 854994
john.mullen@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1. Introduction
The report provides a summary of the objectives, actions and outcomes from the
development of the Holt Vision Study. Although the District Council were not the lead
partner in developing the Study, the Council agreed with the Holt Vision (partnership)
Board that support would be provided through senior officers and members to advise on
the technical aspects of the commissioning process, reviewing the recommendations of
the Study and to act as the accountable body for purposes of funding and project
management. This was to ensure that the Study was well managed, delivered on time
and budget as well as to reflect and respond to the partnership agreed commissioning
brief.
2. Background
2.1 The completion of the Vision for Holt has marked the 12 month delivery of a project
that stemmed from the inception of a broad partnership aspiration that established the
ambition for the Holt vision and stated that:
“The project is to produce a visioning study for the development of key community,
economic and environmental improvements for the town of Holt and its hinterland for
the next 3-5 years, that ultimately will have sustainable long term benefits and future
activities that are stimulated and achieve impacts over the next 25 years”.
2.2 The Holt Vision Board was established to oversee and steer the development of the
Vision Study over several stages. Firstly, for identifying and securing initial funding
support, secondly, in commissioning of a multi-disciplined consultancy team and thirdly
to work with that team to undertake the study with a key set of agreed objectives. The
Board was made up from several key organisations including Holt Town Council (Clerk
and Mayor), Norfolk County Council (Senior Highways Manager and local member),
Holt Area Partnership (Co-ordinator, Administration Support Officer and Chair) , Holt
Society, Holt Youth Project, Holt Chamber of Trade (Chair), Gresham’s School and
North Norfolk District Council (Officers from Conservation, Planning Policy and
Localities and local members), as well as independent Architect overseen by an
independent chairperson.
2.3 The Vision for Holt stemmed from earlier work undertaken throughout 2009/10 with
the Holt Town Council led “Planning Group” that had been working up interventions
informed by more strategic planning documents such as the North Norfolk Local
Development Framework and Holt Conservation Area Appraisal. The Holt Planning
Group had met for a 12 month period before approaching North Norfolk District Council
and North Norfolk Community Partnership for support and funding to undertake the
study for Holt.
3. Holt Vision Board and the key study aims and objectives
3.1 The Study objectives set by the Partnership Board and the key Terms of Reference
providing scope and parameters for the work undertaken during the commissioning
period are summarised as follows:
•
•
To take responsibility for shaping the strategic direction of the community and
planning framework for Holt Town. To oversee the formulation of a Masterplan
for Holt’s development with specific recommendations and plans to take forward
their development.
To oversee the completion of a visioning study and management plans for Holt;
•
•
To advise on and shape the strategic direction, implementation and delivery of
projects identified by the Holt Visioning and Management Plan;
To act as key decision-makers on behalf of all stakeholders in a way that is
visible, meaningful, and accountable in accordance with the constitution of the
individual partner organisation
3.2 The six main themes that were evaluated and put forward as the main
commissioning objectives by two working groups chaired by senior NNDC officers and
supported by Holt Town Council and Holt Area Partnership were as follows>
Identify improvements that could be made to town centre pedestrian and shared spaces
Recommend improvements that could improve civic spaces and shop fronts
Recommend improvements that could be made to gateways into the town, green
spaces and signage
Evaluate the scope and opportunities for developing improved public transport and
traffic management actions.
Recommend training and employment opportunities to bridge gaps in the local markets
and initiatives that could target new markets, especially opportunities for young people.
Undertake an evaluation of current and future measures to extend the development of
earning and other activities (including those that are linked to healthier and more active
lifestyles).
4. Outcomes from the study and where they may have potential input from NNDC
4.1 The Holt Vision study was taken forward over a five month period from the
commissioning of the consultancy team (led by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners)
in September 2011 to the final sign off of the full study by the Holt Vision Board in
February 2012. The study was consulted on within the town on three separate
occasions during this period, during the preliminary stages for setting the principle areas
for the study in September 2011, on the draft report stage in December 2011 and on the
final draft stage in January 2012. From this consultation and the working up of the main
headline recommendations, four main themed strategic areas that “underpinned” The
Vision Study principles were identified to set the context for the rest of the Study these
were as follows>
1. An attractive and physical environment
2. A well connected place
3. A flourishing shopping and visitor centre
4. A strong economy and thriving community
4.2 Under each of the key themes above, several recommendations for the future
phased delivery of main actions are proposed within the Study. Each action was
provided with an assessment of the potential lead partner/s and support organisations
as well as indication of the likely timescale, funding and next steps activities that may
facilitate the appropriate work areas.
4.3 Under theme one, NNDC are identified as potential lead partners for two of the ten
recommended proposals these are>
1. “Establishing spaces for the three Cs supporting the civic, cultural and commercial
activities of the town”
2. “First impressions – drawing on Holt’s civic and ceremonial anchors.”
Both proposals recognise the value of the unique built environment that the town’s
public realm has to offer and builds on the evaluation of these spaces (Shirehall Plain,
Fish Hill and the War Memorial areas) and gateways (Obelisk Plain and War Memorial)
carried out through the District Council Holt Conservation Area Appraisal. The proposals
recognise that these are key spaces within the town and that if treated sensitively with
improvements that enhance their use and character, the profile of the town could be
enhanced with maximum benefit for the local economy, culture and pedestrian access
to existing and potential new services and retail opportunities.
4.4 Under theme two, proposals are identified under traffic and transport movement and
linkages in and around the town centre and therefore recognise the lead role that
Norfolk County Council as the Highway Authority could play if activities were further
developed under this theme. The Council are recognised as having a supporting and
partner role to play in regard of any interventions that impact on the built environment
and consideration of economic viability of the town centre in future years. it is also
highlighted that there is opportunity to establish a thematic working group that could
influence the assessment of future potential section 106 / Community Infrastructure
Levy finance that could support the development of key traffic and transport movements
including pedestrian access routes to and from future new residential developments,
improved transport infrastructure and cycleway improvements and links with community
areas in the town to the centre.
4.5 Theme three proposals recognise the value that Holt as a principle settlement
maintains as a thriving retail and visitor destination and develops the theme of
encouraging and embracing the independent and unique nature of the retail and visitor
offer that characterises the town. Proposals under this theme range from linking
infrastructure renewal interventions such as the creation of new market space in the
Fish Hill area via establishing a traditional market in order to spread the retail offer, to
the potential of introducing and establishing a Business Investment District model to
raise private finance to secure funding for various economic and environmental
improvements for town. The linkages under this theme are explored within the second
half of the Study with Theme one that highlights the aspect of infrastructure renewal to
the development of enhanced commercial and community activity that would develop
the local economic offer.
4.6 Under theme four, further proposed interventions develop the ideas for economic
and skills diversification to support new and emerging sectors of the local economy
under energy and environmental technologies. The proposals identify support that could
help young people opportunities in skills and employment with the need to introduce
more opportunity for future job prospects beyond the main hospitality, retail and
educational sectors that are more dominant in the town. As with other themes, the
possible lead partner aspect for developing the proposals is not defined by the role the
District Council could play, but in the supporting role that the council could adopt in an
advisory capacity and as a support body to ensure that the opportunity for prioritising
appropriate and viable schemes to potentially taking forward any future actions are
achievable.
5. District Council potential areas of support
5.1 The Holt Vision Study as outline in section 4 of this report has highlighted the
Councils potential future role. This may emerge either acting as a lead partner on
proposals and their future development, or in a support role that could be undertaken
under the emerging priorities for the town with other lead partners, that reflects the remit
of that organisation. However, it should be noted that the Study represents a strategic
assessment of opportunities that the town of Holt has the potential to offer and that the
objective of the Holt Vision Board was to produce a Vision for the town that could act as
a platform for the individual assessment of each proposal. Therefore it will still be
necessary to test the viability of each proposed intervention or action, given
opportunities or constraints identified through current funding opportunities, resource
capacity and lead body and partner support for taking forward actions under each
thematic area.
5.2 The forward strategy for developing the key themes that have emerged from the
Holt Vision Study is being evaluated through the structure and objectives being
proposed by Holt Town Council with the support of the District Council in an advisory
capacity. The main body that will take on the task of assessment of the various
proposals will form under the title of the Holt Vision Strategy Group. It is the main
objective of that group to start to prioritise and test individual proposals that have been
identified within the Holt Vision Study. The immediate role therefore for this body,
reporting to Holt Town Council, will be to seek advice from various organisations
including the District Council on priority setting opportunities for the next stage
development of viable proposals, based on the factors relating to timescale, cost, lead
body, partnership and local support and funding opportunity.
6. Implications on resources and finance
6.1 Resources
As noted there are various recommendations within the Vision Document with linked
initiatives that the Council are identified as either the lead body, or one of the main
partners. As stated within this report, the role that the Council may adopt will need
further assessment of the value of that commitment set against the role that the Council
seeks to commit to in developing its future support. This could be assessed on a project
by project basis, given the number and spread of the proposals that have come forward
under the Holt Vision. As part of this assessment it would therefore be necessary to
work with the Vision Strategy Board in the early stages to assist in this process with the
required officer support and therefore advise if necessary on the way forward for future
District Council support.
6.2 Finance
Within the Vision Study the delivery factors are identified for each intervention and
highlight a range of possibilities for taking forward actions including the financial
opportunities available. These financial opportunities do not commit the individual
organisations, including the District Council, to directly funding the Holt Vision
proposals, but suggest that there are potential areas for assessment whether it would
be appropriate to seek funds either through internal or external budgets and available
funding programmes. Therefore the financial implications for the Council are not
apparent at this time, given the need to take forward the prioritisation activities in
partnership with the Vision Strategy Group so that further individual assessment of the
opportunities presented by the proposals can be identified.
It should be noted again, that early support through the Neighbourhood Development
Plan Programme has been approved (£20,000) for the DCLG funded initiative to be
taken forward in partnership with Holt Town Council, after the District Council were
successful in its bid for the funds in February.
7. Risks
7.1 Risks to the Council need to be assessed on an individual project by project basis
given the variety and the level of input that the Council could have on any of the
initiatives taken forward. The level of risk at the current time may be considered low.
However, it should be considered necessary to realise the extent to which local
expectation has increased as to any future support that may be provided by the Council,
given the recommendations put forward in the Vision Study that identifies resources,
funding or specific support of officers.
8. Sustainability issues
8.1 Sustainability has been considered widely within the Vision Study and is reflected in
the nature of the proposals that have been identified, especially around conservation of
the built and natural environment, traffic and transport initiatives and green energy
technology initiatives.
9. Equality and Diversity issues.
9.1 The report does not include an equality and diversity impact assessment. Each
proposal if taken forward on consideration of the scale and scope of the initiative may
require individual assessment based on equality and diversity issues and their potential
impact.