Issue - meetings

To approve a strategy for achieving 500 new affordable business and creative units by 2018.

Councillor Mark Williams confirmed that this was a joint report with Councillor Johnson Situ, cabinet member for business, culture and social regeneration.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the strategy for achieving 500 new affordable business and creative units by 2018, as summarised in paragraph 10 of the report be approved.

2.  That it be agreed that the council’s primary role in this respect shall be to proactively enable and facilitate this provision, by stimulating engagement between private, third sector and development community interests, rather than as a direct provider or manager of new space.

3.  That it be acknowledged that it will be necessary to strike a balance between several priorities competing for the same resources (affordable housing, new homes, Voluntary and Community Sector need for premises, rental and capital revenue generation).

4.  That the director of regeneration be instructed to continue to ensure that opportunities for creative and affordable business space provision are explored in future regeneration-led schemes, in relation to operational premises deemed surplus to operations and to investigate further the nature of demand for such accommodation in the borough.

Cabinet members noted that this process would tie in with the review of council garages outlined in item 14.