Agenda item

public realm planting strategy

Meeting of Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Monday, 27th November, 2017 6.00 pm (Item 8.)

Minutes:

Then public questions that had been received were taken under this item as they related to the topic.

1.	Question from Fiona Wild to the Chair of O&S, Councillor Tim Harman
	Has the enormous response of 2,436 signatures, garnered in only 3 weeks, on the petition to retain the present style of planting in Imperial Gardens & the Long Gardens been fully taken on board by the O&S committee, the Cabinet and the Council to influence the final decision on the future appearance of these areas?
	Response from Chair
	Can I thank the questioner for her efforts in prompting the petition which had such a large response. When the petition was debated at the recent Council meeting it was clear that a number of Members had misgivings about the proposals including myself and I believe two Cabinet Members particularly in relation to the Promenade Long Gardens and Imperial Gardens. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has received a paper to be discussed this evening (27 November) outlining the options to be considered. The Committees views are invited and I hope will be heard and I hope taken into account by Cabinet and Council.
2.	Question from Fiona Wild to the Chair of O&S, Councillor Tim Harman
	Has the possibility that visitors will be less encouraged to return to Cheltenham if herbaceous or wild planting in Imperial Gardens and the Long Gardens lacks colour & looks untidy in the winter been fully considered in the light of the detrimental effect this could have on the local economy?
	Response from Chair
	I agree that the visual impact of the Floral Displays play an integral part in the appearance and our enjoyment of the Town, as well as visitors. I also agree that this should be a key factor in the decisions that the Council take.

The public questioner was advised that the Chairman was not able to respond to the two supplementary questions that had been posed, as this would require him to respond on behalf of others, which he was not able to do. He suggested that the questioner put these questions to the relevant Cabinet Member, Councillor Coleman the Cabinet Member for Clean and Green Environment, at the appropriate Cabinet meeting (12 December).

The Director of Resources introduced the draft business case for public realm planting, as had been circulated with the agenda. The business case had been developed with support from Ralph Pullen at Ubico, the existing service provider and the project team had drawn on the experience of other councils which had implemented similar proposals, including Warwick District Council. As a result of the Council debate in October an additional option had been modelled, resulting in 3 options in total:

1. Retain all seasonal bedding.

2. Retain seasonal bedding in the Long Gardens and Imperial Gardens, change to herbaceous perennials in all other locations.

3. Change to herbaceous perennials in all locations.

The business case had aimed to be as objective as possible and outline the financial and non-financial evaluation of each of the options. Whilst there was a large amount of public interest associated with this issue, the Director of Resources did not wish to reopen debate on this issue but instead sought the views of the committee on the options within the business case, which would aid Cabinet in their deliberations at their meeting on the 12 December.

The following responses were given to member questions by the Director of Resources, with the help of the Deputy Section 151 Officer:

· The petition in support of herbaceous perennials in all locations was still live and would not close to new signatures until midnight on the 30 November.

· At this stage the business case assumed that the nursery would be retained, although some plants would be bought in, as was the case at present. All relevant figures had been built-in to the figures that were included in the business case and a breakdown could be provided to members on request.

· The Arle Nursery Strategic Review was being undertaken separately and was scheduled for consideration by Cabinet on the 13 February 2018.

· It was recognised that different planting approaches would require more maintenance and additional costs had been factored into the business case.

· It was difficult to clearly demonstrate an alternative with only a picture, but there were some great examples of different approaches which could look equally as attractive as what was done at present.

A member of the public commented that flowering perennials could look just as aesthetically pleasing as seasonal bedding plants, even more so at this time of year when beds were empty. She urged the council to be more open minded.

Members welcomed the opportunity to express a view and acknowledged that it was ultimately an Executive (cabinet) decision. These members were pleased with the inclusion of the third option and were of the opinion that option 2 (Retain seasonal bedding in the Long Gardens and Imperial Gardens, change to herbaceous perennials in all other locations) was the best option for Cheltenham, its residents and visitors.

Whilst comfortable with option 2, one member did feel that people should be open to change and reminded members that ‘environment responsibility’ was one of three core pillars of any entries to the RHS Britain in Bloom competition.

A member was concerned by the suggestion that the council was trying to push a particular agenda as his experience was that the process had been open and transparent and he felt that the business case was sound. He did comment that if the decision was to keep seasonal bedding plants in the Long Gardens, then the significant amount of cars parking in front of the gardens would need to be addressed as a priority, as it obscured the view of the gardens from the road, entirely.

The Director of Resources apologised to any member who felt that the business case was in any way attempting to lead members towards a particular option as this had not been the intention.

The Chairman welcomed the opportunity to give comment and thanked the officers and members of the public for their attendance.

Supporting documents: