Please ask for: Nikki Stocks Telephone: 01482 613421 Fax: 01482 613110 Email: [email protected] Text phone: 01482 300349 Date: Friday, 20 December 2013
Dear Councillor,
Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission
The next meeting of the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission will be held at 14:00 on Thursday, 09 January 2014 in Room 82.
The Agenda for the meeting is attached and reports are enclosed where relevant.
Please Note: It is likely that the public, (including the Press) will be excluded from the meeting during discussions of exempt items since they involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as describe in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Yours faithfully,
Democratic Services Officer for the Chief Executive
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Economy and Regeneration
To: Membership: Councillors S Armstrong, S Chaytor, J Conner, J. Fareham, D Gemmell, E Mann, K E Mathieson, M H O’Mullane, L M Petrini, J Shipley and C Thomas
Portfolio Holders: Councillor S Bayes, Portfolio Holder for Visitor Destination Councillor M Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City
Officers: Pauline Davis – Corporate Director Regeneration and Partnerships Mark Jones – Head of Economic Development and Regeneration (PA – My Broad) Malcolm Relph – City Economy Manager Fiona Harbord, Scrutiny Officer Nikki Stocks, Democratic Services Officer (x5)
For Information: Councillor T McVie, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Members’ Information Office (Public Set) Reference Library (Public Set)
Alerts: Brendan Arnold – Director of Resources Councillor Brady – Portfolio Holder for Partnerships Chief Executives Office, Kingston upon Hull City Council Trish Dalby, Corporate Director, City Services Councillor A Bell, Leader of the Opposition Sarah Laverack, Legal Services Andy Stankard, Principal Cabinet Support Officer Nathan Turner, Corporate Policy and Research Manager Councillor M Ross, Leader of the Opposition Jane Price, John Bracewell and Mark McEgan, Area Directors Guildhall Reception Press Office Group Secretariats Viking Radio – [email protected] Yorkshire Post – [email protected] & [email protected] & [email protected] Radio Humberside – [email protected] Hull Daily Mail – [email protected] & [email protected] KCFM Radio – [email protected] All Other Elected Members
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Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission
14:00 on Thursday, 09 January 2014
Room 82
A G E N D A PROCEDURAL ITEMS
1 Apologies
To record the names of any Members sending apologies to this meeting.
2 Declarations of Interest To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any Personal and Discolseable Pecuniary interest in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.
Members Code of Conduct - Part D1 of the Constitution)
3 Minutes of the meeting held on 5th December 2013 5 - 14 To agree the minutes as a true and corrent record.
NON-EXEMPT ITEMS
4 Outstanding Action List 2013-14 15 - 20 To confirm that the Commission's actions have been implemented and monitor the response.
5 City Plan Progress - Verbal Update To update the Commission on the progress of the City Plan and the projects within it.
6 Hull City of Culture 2017 (December 2013- March 2014) 21 - 26 To provide Members with an overview of how Hull's successful bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017 will be developed in the period December 2013 to March 2014.
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7 Analysis of Footfall Figures in Whitefriargate and the Old Town 27 - 32 To provide Members with information to enable them to consider further analysis of footfall figures in the City Centre.
8 City Centre Development Briefs for Kingston House and 33 - 74 Queens Gardens To inform the Commission of the development briefs being produced for Council owned City Centre regeneration sites.
9 Greening the City Update 75 - 76 To provide updated information on the progress of identifying and implementing schemes to improve the appearance of the City Centre.
10 Exclusion of the Press and Public To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the items listed as exempt.
EXEMPT ITEMS
11 Greening the City OSC Briefing Appendix
Information which reveals that the authority proposes (a) to give any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or (b) to make an order or direction unde...
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Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny
5th December 2013
PRESENT:- Councillor E. Mann (Chair), Councillor M.H. O’Mullane (Deputy Chair), Councillor S. Armstrong, Councillor S. Chaytor, Councillor J. Conner, Councillor J. Fareham, Councillor D. Gemmell, Councillor K.E. Mathieson, Councillor L. Petrini, Councillor J. Shipley, Councillor C. Thomas.
IN ATTENDANCE:- F. Harbord (Scrutiny Officer), N. Stocks (Democratic Services Officer), M. Relph, Assistant Head of Service (City Economy) – Minute 40, L. West (Joint Managing Director of Garthwest and Platform Expo), D. Keel (Joint Managing Director, Trident), J. Connolly and J. Moss (Co-founders, C4Di) – Minute 41
APOLOGIES:-
Minute Description/Decision Action No. By/Deadline 37 DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No declarations were made in respect of the following items.
38 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2013
Agreed: That the minutes of the meeting of this Commission held on Thursday 7th November, 2013 having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Chair.
NON EXEMPT ITEMS 39 OUTSTANDING ACTION LIST
The Scrutiny Officer presented the outstanding action list and updated the Commission on any action taken.
Members discussed: (i) concerns that there had been no further update in relation to city centre properties. Members reiterated that this was not acceptable and stated that ultimately, NPS were directed by the Council and as such, the Authority needed to take ownership of the issue; (ii) concerns that the Portfolio Holder for Visitor Destination has been unable to provide any written response, which outlined the timelines for each of the projects that were relevant to the work of this Commission, withinPage his 5 portf of 76olio. Members requested that the matter be referred to the Leader of the Council in lieu of a formal response; (iii) the absence of a report from the Museums Commerciality Task and Finish Panel. A Member stated that the outcome and explanation provided was factually incorrect, as a report had been completed and signed off. Members requested that the relevant report be provided to enable the Commission to review the recommendations and the potential impact on Museums if Leisure Services became part of a wholly owned Council company; and (iv) concerns that there had been no further progression in relation to the pedestrianisation of Lowgate. Members requested that the scheme was addressed as a matter of urgency.
Agreed –
(a) That the update be noted;
(b) That the Commission are disappointed that the (b-d) Scrutiny Portfolio Holder for Visitor Destination has been Officer – FH unable to provide any written response, outlining the timelines for each of the projects within his portfolio that are relevant to the work of this Commission i.e. the City of Culture Bid, Green Port Hull, redevelopment of the Fruit market area, securing of the aircraft carrier as a visitor attraction, establishment of a cruise terminal, an overall plan for the city centre and how it is managed, including Streetscene and public realm and the priorities for funding within the City Plan, as requested at the meeting of 3 October 2013. As such, Members ask that the matter be referred to the Leader of the Council to determine an appropriate resolution;
(c) That the Commission do not accept the outcome or explanation regarding their request to receive the report from the Museums Commerciality Task and Finish Panel and request that the relevant report be provided to enable Members to review the recommendations, whilst considering the potential impact on Museums that would result if Leisure Services were to become part of a wholly owned Council company; and
(d) That the outstanding action regarding the Lowgate (d) City Pedestrianisation scheme be progressed as a matter Streetscene of urgency. Manager
Reason for decisions
(b) To enable the Commission to identify priorities which are relevant to the work of this Commission and to ensure that appropriate issues are included within the Commissions Work Programme; Page 6 of 76
(c) To enable Members to review the recommendations, whilst considering the potential impact on Museums that would result if Leisure Services were to become part of a wholly owned Council company; and
(d) To ensure that the scheme is progressed, without further delay.
40 THE CITY’S DIGITAL ECONOMY
M. Relph, Assistant Head of Service (City Economy), provided a briefing paper which updated Members on the opportunities and challenges for the City’s Digital Economy.
The briefing paper provided background information, which facilitated further discussion within the following agenda item and outlined: (i) the connections and dependencies that needed to be considered as part of any support to the sector by either the Council or partners; (ii) that the use of digital technology was a feature of Hull’s City of Culture 2017 programme; (iii) the barriers to innovation and Hull’s development as a ‘Smart City’; and (iv) the context of the City Plan and the Digital Estuary within the context of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Members were advised that: (i) the Authority had historically attempted to use technology as a tool without a clear understanding of its benefits; and (ii) partner agencies had developed a wealth of experience and a clear perception of how the digital economy fitted in, and provided valid representation and insight into Hull’s Digital Economy.
Agreed – that the briefing paper be noted
41 DISCUSSION ITEM – HULL’S DIGITAL ECONOMY
L. West (Joint Managing Director of Garthwest and Platform Expo), D. Keel (Joint Managing Director, Trident), J. Connolly and J. Moss (Co-founders, C4Di) provided Members with their views on the needs, opportunities, barriers and potential that accompanied an increased digital industry in the City.
Members were advised that: (i) Platform aimed to establish a new hub of digital content creation and gaming businesses within Hull and sought to harness local talent from the University of Hull and Hull College; (ii) Platform Expo showcased the industry to the region and raised the profile of Hull and the digital creativity sector, both nationally and internationally; (iii) Trident were possibly the second largest digital employer in the City and created the packaging for 25% of the average consumer’s weekly shop; (iv) Trident turned over in the region of $50m globally and a salary bill of £7m in Hull alone; (v) C4Di hadPage 55 7members of 76 based on technology projects and had developed a £50m technology business campus, which represented a world-class workspace for digital and technology companies and individuals; (vi) C4Di aimed for Hull to be the centre for digital innovation and start-ups in the UK; and (vii) every business in Hull was a digital business as they all created data in some form. However, many remained unaware as to how the information could be utilised.
Members were further advised that in terms of local perspective, Gateway Interactive had achieved funding with Microsoft and all recruitment for Catfish (a reality TV show created for MTV) was conducted locally.
C4Di updated Members on their 18 week accelerator programme which provided start-ups with a location, mentoring and support with funding applications. At the end of the programme the projects were placed in front of a panel of investors.
(i) What proportion of businesses had been able to source their digital requirements locally. In response, Members were advised that Hull had an extensive portfolio of providers who were able to get businesses to the point that they understood technology and how it could be utilised effectively to grow and develop businesses and increase revenue. Many local organisations had extensive global client lists. Kingston Communications had developed an impressive infrastructure and offered significantly faster connection speeds than many other providers. This, coupled with Hull’s 4G status, created significantly greater opportunities than many other cities across the UK. Hull College provided a high level of education in this field; however Hull had struggled to retain the expertise within the City, with many graduates seeking employment outside of Hull. However, consideration needed to be given as to how to reach Hull businesses in order to enable them to understand the digital support that was available locally;
(ii) Whether the LEP needed to have greater involvement and what was required to move the digital economy forward. Members were advised that everyone needed to understand the value and what ‘digital’ meant. There was a significant amount of data within the region which held a wealth of information about the City. Much of this knowledge started at home through the use of tablets and other devices. The external partners reiterated that this digital information needed to be regarded as company assets in the same way as any other assets;
(iii) Whether there was anythingPage 8else of 76 that the Council could do and how the Authority could improve their engagement with the LEP. In response, Members were advised that Hull College had aligned their strategies with the LEP strategy. The Authority needed to be mindful of the Regional Strategy and the more the Authority aligned at a regional level, the funding structures became more apparent;
(iv) What was the net profit to sales ratio and value of Hull’s Digital Economy. Members were advised that the full value was not known; however small businesses were incredibly agile and responded quickly to any blockages with very little financial input. Some of the local organisations had started with a £10k investment and a computer. These companies were now netting in the region of £3m. Dependant on the nature of the business, many of these had negligible overheads. Microsoft went global with the concept that the right software was key and the hardware was immaterial. Years later, Apple made hardware attractive and desirable;
(v) How do we grow Hull’s digital economy given the low take-up of broadband within the city. Members were advised that in terms of connectivity, Hull had more landline connections to homes than any other City. Mobile phones were an equal partner in the digital economy and just as viable as internet connections within the home. KC were keen to make broadband more accessible for everyone, which could lead to the introduction of a broadband only package. KC was leading the way in terms of fibre optic installations and phenomenal speeds which put Hull at an advantage.
The external partners reiterated that Hull was not known for its digital economy, yet had a low cost of living, cheaper rents, faster broadband speeds and excellent mentors. This should be publicised to encourage business start-ups to come to Hull to launch their businesses and projects. In order to grow the digital economy, the Authority needed to state that ‘Hull is the home of Digital Industry’.
(vi) How could people find out what digital services were available in Hull. In response, Members were advised that there was an online directory at digitalestuary.com which signposted to local services and the Hull Digital Meet Up which provided a subscription service for businesses. The City of Culture programme had something happening on a daily basis and the only way to view from home was via streaming.
(vii) Whether there was any skills surplus or shortage within Hull. D. Keel (Trident) stated that in his experience, there had Pagebeen a9 significantof 76 shortage. Trident had recently acquired a company in Nottingham in order to increase their workforce by a further 100 employees. Representatives of C4Di reiterated that they had continued to work with Hull College to ensure that training took account of employer’s requirements and produced the skills needed. C4Di were keen to create a cluster within Platform Studios which considered gaming technology and applications. The skills learned within gaming technology courses were the same skills applied to the creation of wind turbines; and
(viii) Whether the external partners had a wish list which could be delivered by the Council. Members were advised that Hull needed to be promoted as a ‘digital City of the future’. J. Connolly stated that C4Di desperately needed a small number of free parking spaces in its Blanket Row car park for short-stay client use. An invitation to visit Trident, C4Di and the Platform Studios was extended to Members in order to provide a further introduction to the work of the companies and gain further insight into the projects and businesses that they supported.
Members discussed: (i) the Council’s procurement processes and whether monies were kept in Hull by ensuring that services and provisions were sought locally; (ii) the need to ensure that the Council’s website signposted people to the online directory and promoted Hull’s digital economy; (iii) the streaming demonstration held at Hull’s fruit market. One Member commented that this event had demonstrated that streaming in Hull was significantly better than High Definition (HD) and raised concerns that officers had been dismissive and not given due recognition to the event; and (iv) that representation was sought from Kingston Communications in relation to fibre optic roll-out, engineering, marketing and broadband provision in the City.
Agreed-
(a) That the Commission is provided with assurance that (a) Head of the Authority is taking steps to ensure its investment Economic and expenditure on digital industry priorities Hull- Development and based businesses, and seeks to procure services and Regeneration / resources locally; Procurement Manager (b) That the Commission will receive information on the (b) Scrutiny impact on local businesses of locally based digital Officer – FH industry and support, from the point of view of companies such as the Spencer Group and Ideal Standard;
(c) That, if the information becomes available, the (c) Head of Commission receives details of how much its digital Economic economy is currently worthPage 10to theof 76 City, the potential Development monetary value in the future, and the effect being and 2017 City of Culture could have on that value; Regeneration
(d) That the Portfolio Holder gives consideration to (d) Councillor meeting with Trident, C4Di and Garthwest with a view Bayes to forging stronger relationships with the Authority’s digital economy external partners;
(e) That a recommendation be made that the Council’s (e)City Learning 14-19 Team link with the represented companies in and Skills order to help address the issues around digital skills Manager shortages in the City;
(f) That a recommendation be made that consideration (f) City be given to supporting the work taking place at C4Di Streetscene by the Authority providing a small number of parking Manager spaces without charge in its Blanket Row car park for short-stay client use;
(g) That the Commission have the opportunity to visit (g) Scrutiny Trident, C4Di and the Platform Studios in order to Officer – FH consider the work of the companies and gain further insight into the projects and businesses that they support;
(h) That Kingston Communication be invited to a future (h) Scrutiny meeting in order to update the Commission on the Officer – FH use of fibre optics, engineering and marketing and the part that they play within Hull’s Digital Economy;
(i) That the January 2014 marketing workshop include (i) Assistant ways in which the Council can promote Hull’s Digital Head of Service Economy, its capacity and effectiveness, in order to – Comms and attract more businesses into the City and promote Hull Marketing and as a ‘Digital City of the Future’; Scrutiny Officer – FH (j) That details regarding member attendance at this (j-l) Scrutiny meeting be circulated to the external attendees, along Officer – FH with a letter of support for the Digital Economy agenda from the Commission;
(k) That the details of the members of Hull Digital and the Digital Estuary web link be circulated to members of this Commission; and
(l) That the issues that have been raised at this meeting, namely (i) The assessment of the current size and potential size of the City’s Digital Economy (ii) How Hull City Council can support the growth of the digital market (iii) The educational route that needs to be in place in order to meet demand by the digital industry within the City (iv) How the local digital service providers can be promoted and linked with the City’s businesses that requirePage their 11 services of 76 to increase investment within the City and improve the local jobs market, be further considered at a future meeting of the Commission.
Reason for decision:
(a) To ensure that the Council is leading by example by procuring local services and retaining monies within Hull;
(b) To ensure that the Commission remains up to date on the local impact for local businesses;
(c) To provide the Commission with clarity on the monetary value of the digital economy and to ensure that the Council takes full advantage of its City of Culture 2017 status, for the benefit of the City and its future;
(d) In order to strengthen relationships with the Authority’s external partners and gain further insight into the projects and businesses that they support;
(e) To strengthen training and employability opportunities within Hull and provide further links with a view to retaining locally trained expertise within Hull;
(f) to demonstrate the Council’s support for the external partners and assist them to increase their capacity in supporting local businesses;
(g) In order to strengthen relationships with the Authority’s external partners and allow the Commission the opportunity to gain further insight into the projects and businesses that they support;
(h) To provide the Commission with a clearer insight into Kingston Communications engineering and marketing strategies and future plans for the digital industry within Hull;
(i) To provide an effective framework for the workshop and to ensure that members are able to make informed decisions in relation to the future of Hull’s Digital Economy;
(j) To provide the external partners with a clearer insight to the background of the Commission and to demonstrate the Council’s support for the Digital Economy Agenda;
(k) To provide Members with a directory of services within Hull; Page 12 of 76
(l) To provide an effective framework for the workshop and to ensure that members are able to make informed decisions in relation to the future of Hull’s Digital Economy.
10.00am - 12.00noon Published on 18th December 2013
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Page 14 of 76 OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY Action List 2013-2014 Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission
CHAIR: SCRUTINY LEAD OFFICER: Mark Councillor OFFICER: Fiona DEMOCRATIC SERVICES OFFICER: Nikki Stocks Jones (Pauline Davis) Mann Harbord
Responsible Reason for submission and actions (the reason for Commissio Action/Decision Agenda Items Officer (In submission should be specified in the level 1 cell, Outcome/Update Info DUE DATE RAG n Date Allocation attendance) action in level 2 cells)
To provide the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission with a briefing on current Early Evening Economy Mark Jones 04/07/2013 and future initiatives planned to develop the Early Briefing (Anthony Yates) Evening Economy and Night Time Economy in Hull's city centre.
That the report from the Museums Commerciality Task Simon Green to discuss with Cllr Geraghty and and Finish Panel be submitted to the Economy and Simon Green / come back to the Commission to confirm what Feb-14 A Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission to Fiona Harbord recommendations were progressed enable members to review the recommendations
Nick Howbridge 16.08.13 - NPS only manage city centre properties and do not set rents. City centre That discussions be held with NPS regarding their rental regeneration and levels of rents in the central area is Nick charging and property management policies with a view Mar-14 A more EDR territory.Commission has requested an Howbridge to city centre regeneration itme be included in the future work programee to explore this further
Alison Walker Email 24.07.13: We are in the process of merging the Box office and TIC locations at the right and left hand corners of City Hall into one combined service. The staff have already been restructured and the former box office is in the process on being refurbished to contain a new combined box office and tourist information point. That consideration be given to a review of the location of This development has led to budget savings and will the City‟s Tourist Information Centre and how the service also provide an improved service. We are due to Jan-14 A Alison Walker can be expanded to provide more information over officially launch the new service on 6 August, but extended hours expect to be operating from the newly refurbished area next week whilst we get things up and running." Hours of opening are 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-3pm Sunday. Possible Task and Finish opportunity? Marketing workshop to be held January 2014 could include this.
Page 15 of 76 Reminder sent to Eddie-Coates Madden 16.08.13 (on That a review be undertaken of the Hull City Council leave until 05.09.13) and 24.09.13. FH to recommend website, in order to ensure it is less insular and includes to the Commission that a Task and Finish to be set Eddie Coates- Jan-14 A links to external partners to help market events within the up to consider the marketing of the City and its Madden city centre attractions and events. Marketing workshop to be held January 2014.
That consideration be given as to how Hull City Council can link with and support the website that is planned to Eddie Coates- Marketing workshop to be held January 2014. Jan-14 A be provided by partners using Creative People and Madden Places funding
That the following themes be included in future items related to the City centre economy: provision of entertainment for families and older people; events and the marketing of events; regeneration of Whitefriargate, to include the potential to work with Colleges, 2013/14 A Fiona Harbord Universities and independent organisations; regeneration of the City‟s “Dead Zones”; improved and expanded marketing of the City and its offer; the use of local artists in promotion and events; the linking of areas across the City centre
Co-ordination of the To inform Commission with an overview of how the Mark Jones 05/09/2013 City's Job Opportunities Council and its partners are working to ensure that (Chris Howell) Report local people are competitive in the jobs market.
That an item be added to the Commission‟s future work Included in the planned job opportunities follow up Fiona Harbord / Feb-14 A programme to address the Skills Gap in further detail meeting of February 2014 Chris Howell
Portfolio Holder To enable the portfolio holder to outline their Priorities - Visitor Councillor priorities for the year ahead and suggest topic areas 03/10/2013 Destination - Verbal Bayes the Commission may wish to include in its 2013/14 Update work programme.
That the Portfolio Holder: Visitor Destination, Councillor Bayes, will provide a written response to Members of this Commission which outlines the timelines for each of the projects within his portfolio that are relevant to the work Councillor Bayes advises he is unable to resolve of this Commission, i.e. the outcome of the City of this action as he does not have reponsibility for all Councillor S Culture bid, Green Port Hull, redevelopment of the Fruit of the areas that information was requested on. Feb-14 A Bayes / Fiona Market area, securing of the aircraft carrier as a visitor Referred by Chief Operating Officer to Nathan Turner Harbord attraction, establishment of a cruise terminal, an overall to resolve plan for the city centre and how it is managed including streetscene and public realm, the priorities for funding within the CityPlan Page 16 of 76 To update the Commission on current/key issues and City Manager for members to identify matters to be considered, 03/10/2013 Presentation - Green Mark Jones and raise questions and issues on the presentation, Port that may lead to further work being undertaken.
That, the City Manager's presentation be re-scheduled to a future meeting. Any questions Members have in the Fiona Harbord / Feb-14 A meantime to be raised with the City Economic Mark Jones Development and Regeneration Manager direct.
To confirm that the Commission's actions have been Fiona Harbord 07/11/2013 Outstanding Action List implemented and monitor the response to the (Fiona Harbord) Commission's comments and recommendations.
That consideration be given at a future meeting to the feasibility and value of further analysis of footfall figures Jan-14 A Kevin Priestley in the Whitefriargate area
That the update regarding the issues previously Richard Townend to contact the Chair. The Chair discussed by this Commission around the Lowgate may recommned that a report detailing the problems Richard Pedestrianisation scheme be included in the with the governance of the Purple Flag Group which Dec-13 A Townend / Commission‟s work programme at the earliest possible progressed the Lowgate Pedestrianisation scheme Trevor Todd opportunity be brought to this Commision
Sports, Leisure and That the Sports, Leisure and Heritage Service Heritage Service Mark Jones Business Plan Performance Spreadsheet 2013/14 be 07/11/2013 Business Plan (Alison Walker) referred to the Economy and Regeneration Overview Performance and Scrutiny Commission Spreadsheet 2013/14 That the Commission receives a report which outlines the findings of the Economic Development and Regeneration The review will not be completed in time for the review of the Council‟s Managed Workspaces to the December meeting so, following consultation with Feb-14 A Paul Burnley December 2013 meeting to enable Members to the Chair, the update will be brought in February. scrutinise and comment on the findings
Pending until after Kishor Tailor has attended 2 That the Commission receives an update to a future December OSMC, where he will discuss the Growth meeting on the matrix which identifies operational Programme, funding etc. Depending on what is Feb-14 A Paul Burnley parameters of the Regional Growth Fund and any other discussed at that meeting, Paul Burnley will resolve potential growth funds which could be accessed this action Economic Development That the Economic Development and Regeneration and Regeneration Service Business Plan Performance Spreadsheet Mark Jones 07/11/2013 Service Business Plan 2013/14 be referred to the Economy and (Malcolm Relph) Performance Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission for Spreadsheet 2013/14 consideration
That the Commission receives a further update on the issues at City Hall, as outlined in paragraph 3.6 of the Mar-14 A Alison Walker report, to include detailed costs of the planned Page 17 of 76 improvements A discussion item to consider how the City captures Mark Jones the audience of its Festivals, Exhibitions and (Mitch Upfold / Sporting Events so that a legacy is left of increased Discussion Item: The Paul Holloway / job opportunities. How do we interact with visitors Legacy of the City's Simon Green / and potential visitors before, during and after events 07/11/2013 Festivals, Exhibitions Alison Walker / to ensure that they spend the maximum amount of and Major Sporting Anthony Yates) time and money in the city? The Commission will Events Eddie Coates- make recommendations for inclusion in a blue print Madden (Nick that could potentially be used for the delivery of Schimmel) every event in the city.
That the Commission receives a further update in relation to the reported 2011/12 subsidy cost of £49.18 Alison Walker - 13.12.13 - Advises that due to other per visit at Isaac Newton school, detailed within the work priorities and annual leave arrangements this Jan-14 A Alison Walker Team Business Plan, including a comparison year on will be delivered in January year with subsidy recorded for 2012/13. Members request that this matter is closely monitored
That the Commission receives to its March 2014 meeting a report to include a full exploration of the issues raised Mitch Upfold / around commercial information and related overheads Mar-14 A Alison Walker regarding the statistics included in section A2 of the Arts and Leisure Team Business Plan
To confirm that the Commission's actions have been Fiona Harbord 05/12/2013 Outstanding Action List implemented and monitor the response to the (Fiona Harbord) Commission's comments and recommendations.
That the Commission are disappointed that the Portfolio Holder for Visitor Destination has been unable to provide any written response, outlining the timelines for each of the projects within his portfolio that are relevant to the work of this Commission i.e. the City of Culture Bid, Green Port Hull, redevelopment of the Fruit market area, Fiona Harbord / securing of the aircraft carrier as a visitor attraction, Referred by Chief Operating Officer to Nathan Turner Feb-14 A Councillor establishment of a cruise terminal, an overall plan for the to resolve Stephen Brady city centre and how it is managed, including Streetscene and public realm and the priorities for funding within the City Plan, as requested at the meeting of 3 October 2013. As such, Members ask that the matter be referred to the Leader of the Council to determine an appropriate resolution
Page 18 of 76 That the Commission do not accept the outcome or explanation regarding their request to receive the report from the Museums Commerciality Task and Finish Panel Simon Green to discuss with Cllr Geraghty and and request that the relevant report be provided to come back to the Commission to confirm what Feb-14 A Fiona Harbord enable members to review the recommendations, whilst recommendations were progressed considering the potential impact on Museums that would result if Leisure Services were to become part of a wholly owned Council company
Richard Townend to contact the Chair. The Chair That the outstanding action regarding the Lowgate may recommned that a report detailing the problems Fiona Harbord / Pedestrianisation scheme be progressed as a matter of with the governance of the Purple Flag Group which Dec-13 A Richard urgency progressed the Lowgate Pedestrianisation scheme Townend be brought to this Commision
A discussion item to consider how the City can increase its digital industry in order to encourage businesses to invest in the City, resulting in Discussion Item - Hull's External increased job opportunities and an improved 05/12/2013 Digital Economy Partners economy. To include external partners offering views on the needs, opportunities, potential (including potential income) and barriers to increased digital industry in the City.
That the Commission is provided with assurance that the Mark Jones / Authority is taking steps to ensure its investment and Councillor expenditure on digital industry prioritises Hull-based A Bayes / Neil businesses, and seeks to procure services and Daynes resources locally
That the Commission receives information on the impact John Connolly on local businesses of locally based digital industry and 2013/14 A (C4Di) / Fiona support, from the point of view of companies such as the Harbord Spencer Group and Ideal Standard
That, if the information becomes available, the Commission receives details of how much its digital economy is currently worth to the City, the potential A Mark Jones monetary value in the future, and the effect being 2017 City of Culture could have on that value That the Portfolio Holder gives consideration to meeting with Trident, C4Di and Garthwest with a view to forging Councillor A stronger relationships with the Authority‟s digital Bayes economy external partners That a recommendation be made that consideration be given to supporting the work taking place at C4Di by the Andy Burton / Authority providing a small number of parking spaces A Graham Hall without charge in its Blanket Row car park for short-stay client use Page 19 of 76 That the Commission have the opportunity to visit Trident, C4Di and the Platform Studios in order to A Fiona Harbord consider the work of the companies and gain further insight into the projects and businesses that they support
That Kingston Communication be invited to a future meeting in order to update the Commission on the use 2013/14 A Fiona Harbord of fibre optics, engineering and marketing and the part that they play within Hull‟s Digital Economy
That the January 2014 marketing workshop include how the Council can promote Hull‟s Digital Economy, its Fiona Harbord / capacity and effectiveness, in order to attract more Jan-14 A Eddie Coates- businesses into the City and promote Hull as a „Digital Madden City of the Future‟
That details regarding member attendance at this meeting be circulated to the external attendees, along Member attendance circulated to external attendees Fiona Harbord / Jan-14 A with a letter of support for the Digital Economy agenda 09.12.13 Cllr Mann from the Commission
That the issues that have been raised at this meeting, namely (i) The assessment of the current size and potential size of the City‟s Digital Economy (ii) How Hull City Council can support the growth of the digital market (iii) The educational route that needs to be in place in order to meet demand by the digital industry within the 2013/14 A Fiona Harbord City (iv) How the local digital service providers can be promoted and linked with the City‟s businesses that require their services to increase investment within the City and improve the local jobs market, be further considered at a future meeting of the Commission
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Briefing Note to the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission 18th December 2013
Subject: Hull City of Culture 2017 (December 2013- March 2014)
Briefing Note of the City Economic Development and Regeneration Manager
1. Purpose of the Briefing Note and Summary
The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an overview of how Hull’s successful bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017 will be developed in the period December 2013 to March 2014.
2. Issues for Consideration
That Members consider the briefing note.
3. Consultation
The Portfolio holder for Visitor Economy and lead for City of Culture has been briefed and consulted on all arrangements for the period December 2013 – March 2014.
4. Briefing note:
4.1 The city will host UK City of Culture in 2017 and will provide legacy programmes until the and over to the next UK City of Culture on 31st January 2020. The award is based on the evidence submitted in full and final bid and presentation to Independent Assessment panel chaired by Phil Redmond CBE. It is based on the delivery of the content in the bid submitted.
4.2 Why we won?
Leadership: Local Authority and partners including CLB/LEP + City Plan The strength of the bid A compelling case for ‘coming out of the shadows’ + Hull needed it ‘Hullness’, a distinctive programme with strong themes (though IAP didn’t like ‘Quirky’) The international dimension of our programme Public support as shown by the film, social media and press Business support (2017 Angels)
4.3 Immediate impact of winning COC: Profile: 105 000 viewed ‘The City Belongs to Everyone’ film onYouTube – seen in 150 countries
Page 21 of 76 45,000 viewed film at the Xmas lights, Ferens Gallery and Hull City Tigers screenings.
Media coverage estimated at £3.5M
Coverage in all national daily/ weekend papers + specialist magazines (inc. Private Eye)
Broadcast media: ITV, Sky, BBC and Al Jazeera coverage. BBC News covered it worldwide and Hull benefited from extensive coverage in the other bidding cities.
22 Angels + 6 more pledges (£476k)
4.4 The challenge ahead: ‘It’s a marathon not a sprint’
Delivering Hull City of Culture 2017 is a complex exercise involving dozens of partners, hundreds of cultural groups and thousands of volunteers. In the winning bid we laid out a timetable for the 3 years leading up to 2017.
In the next few months we have to concentrate on careful planning and putting our funding and team into places whilst also maximising the benefits to Hull of the exceptional media coverage afforded to the city since winning the title.
We have many partnerships to put in place with local agencies, national funders, broadcasters and sponsors.
These include following key delivery partners:
NHS University of Hull Hull College Regional partners such as the BBC and Lottery funders International partners who have agreed to work with us Regional and national carriers
We will not start to look at the 2017 programme again until the spring of 2014.
4.5 ‘Preparing the city’ for 2017 will impact on planning across Council, partner and linked agencies and may require accelerated timescales to prepare the ‘city as a venue’ in the following key areas:
Transport: Parking, access, routes and navigation (signage) + A63 issues Capital investments: City Plan capital programmes and infrastructure including quality of city centre public realm and ‘gateways’ Tourism infrastructure: Hotel/ conference capacity , packages and relations with regional, national international carriers Education and learning partnerships
These all require long term strategic planning to have an impact in 2017 and in the legacy years
Page 22 of 76 5. Objectives:
The following are key objectives which will need to be delivered to deliver the bid and to deliver our commitment to DCMS:
Establish a specific delivery company to manage and oversee the delivery of 2017 and its legacy (with existing bid team providing transitional arrangements) and ensure that capacity is there to create and deliver a highly complex programme Develop as absolute imperative capacity locally by recruitment and development of local talent Develop/confirm funding arrangements (external + sponsorship and philanthropic giving) Develop engagement with national arts and cultural organisations (especially London based) Develop and deliver aspects of stepped change programme for 2014 with partners Develop international programme with international partners (long lead in time) Strengthen creative industries links – building capacity/ employment opportunities Manage and maximise media opportunities – profile for COC/ city image
6. Short term actions/ priorities to March 2014:
Communication:
We will be putting in place some new ways to communicate about the plans:
‘How we won the bid’ presentations in January A new stakeholder newsletter every month
A new web site to call on volunteers, share build up programme and keep people informed of our progress
A major event in April to plan the legacy of 2017 We are also doing some important work to stimulate jobs through a strategy on creative industries and establishing relationships with tourism and other partners who can promote Hull in 2017.
Building capacity in the city to deliver for 2017 including
Recruiting the programme team Training and development for event promoters and producers
An inspirational programme of talks about major events
Working with other planned activity in the build up period
Developing a volunteering programme
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7. Timeline (December 2013 – March 2014):
December 2013:
Media follow up to the announcement Signing contract with DCMS (including licence to use COC Branding) Fundraising
January 2014:
‘How Hull won the bid’ events – dates
New Monthly Newsletter to be published
Free public event to celebrate Hulls success
Official handover from Derry
Publishing a summary of our bid
February 2014: Launch capacity building programme including BBC Insights Publish Creative Industries plan
Strategic partnership meetings
March 2014:
Set up company and advertise for our board Iceland cultural partnership visit Tender for a new web site
Recruiting Programme Director
April 2014:
Programme seminar – planning the Hull 2017 legacy
8. Our Interim team (to March 2014):
Pauline Davis: City of Culture Project Sponsor
Cllr Steven Bayes: Portfolio Holder Lead (City of Culture/ Visitor Economy)
Jon Pywell: City Lead (City Infrastructure, capital programme, governance)
Page 24 of 76 Andrew Dixon: Hull 2017 Adviser (Fundraising, partnerships, Programme overview, Creative Industries plan)
Jacqui Gay: Communications, Press and PR
Therese Rigg: Events (Events and planning)
Anthony Yates: Tourism/ Visitor Economy
Adrian Friedli/ Paul Holloway: 2017 Programme, capacity building and education engagement
5. Conclusions and Next Steps
5.1 Produce a further report for the committee to inform them of
Mark Jones City Economic Development and Regeneration Manager
Contact Officer: Jon Pywell Telephone No. (61)2168
Background Documents: None
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Page 26 of 76
Briefing Note to the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission 9th January 2014
Subject: City Centre Footfall Data
Briefing Note of the City Economic Development and Regeneration Manager
1. Purpose of the Briefing Note and Summary The purpose of this report is to provide Members with an outline of the points to be discussed at the Overview & Scrutiny meeting scheduled for the 9th January 2014 in relation to the analysis of city centre footfall data
2. Issues for Consideration The potential for collection of parallel data which can then be used in the analysis of raw footfall data. Differing ways in which the current data could be analysed.
3. Consultation Following the previous E&R OSC meeting members asked that the issue of footfall data and its analysis be included in the agenda of the next meeting to be held on the 9th January 2014.
To date no consultation has been held with external bodies or organisations.
4. Options: On the assumption there will be one or more headline suggestions from members; these will be examined to establish the practicalities and costs of their implementation.
For information the report provided post the previous meeting has been attached as appendix A
5. Conclusions and Next Steps 5.1 Produce a further report for the committee to inform them of the outcome of the options appraisal.
Mark Jones City Economic Development and Regeneration Manager
Contact Officer: Jon Pywell Telephone No. (61)2168 Background Documents: None Date: 18th December 2013
Page 27 of 76 Appendix A Performance information for Whitefriargate
Footfall for Whitefriargate:
Whitefriargate Footfall Counter (raw data)
Week Number 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 1 97697 2621 11861 32562 63334 112143 Page 28 of 76 2 114247 119953 92584 89681 119119 127972 3 81852 109424 103265 106831 114827 131579 4 96330 104944 86502 110747 110884 135962 5 98150 108417 88910 112299 114729 120001 6 89364 102238 88153 110183 108310 127589 7 111342 98755 100351 109768 116706 139003 8 104329 115748 89976 127084 138754 121470 9 99946 118541 112443 119000 128205 135975 10 98546 108202 102482 112352 111469 121900 11 81275 106774 92914 112992 113112 114273 12 81896 119671 100315 111500 105310 98756 13 101890 83353 105591 93236 89275 118003 14 95160 90132 129405 96663 94644 113265 15 104086 103454 100637 103004 112686 106601 16 88725 90189 117324 92954 106047 119668 17 93565 91310 98332 91553 89145 122940 18 94029 94596 99623 109243 104257 122284 19 82266 110843 111076 93965 95894 105188 20 88631 104233 125902 98080 93520 123392 21 77483 105703 122606 90379 115488 127956 126256 22 98243 117492 123608 105934 109312 141210 161352 23 97943 114688 114031 94536 119607 131983 162762 24 111362 107963 116532 109473 109937 136659 154809 25 101020 102515 128298 106945 122200 124020 158169 26 111291 105930 114952 93443 117374 140513 146434 27 102671 110414 131417 95529 109865 122922 167569 28 98191 97199 117734 97141 113904 127406 165777 29 84315 115640 116647 119316 109220 132585 163189 30 93093 94709 117733 97959 111806 121192 170602 31 92696 90306 130209 144002 122365 124044 157845 32 100069 114037 115556 111675 112131 127443 153833 33 84229 101009 117965 83285 108543 116972 156210 34 80735 111331 103812 88122 90037 137409 152518 35 104690 116563 102222 98625 112972 134690 159396 36 92276 106275 125139 81899 119771 119560 147281 37 101847 89042 105040 93381 97464 116583 139984 38 95934 108692 93446 92284 111735 123276 145307 39 54952 109029 106849 83482 117258 120489 148055 40 109367 105568 103125 125777 126776 150840 41 109704 119992 111395 123477 128408 140998 42 110042 116803 104034 122548 127305 138155 43 110380 110012 101139 121856 126485 181508 44 110717 141842 128863 158082 143706 165600 45 111055 126790 113917 120535 145773 158960 46 111393 140482 99743 140051 152043 164629 47 111730 134770 117119 153673 156451 178447 48 112068 156340 95374 157876 168540 204931 49 112406 168276 105696 174296 177665 223619 Page 29 of 76 50 112743 157864 134632 179961 185913 254320 51 113081 190740 160713 189517 253838 318928 52 113419 234244 144411 165433 229842 193588 53 113756 175079 106452 111526 95715 31376
National comparison data for August 2013:-
Moving Annual % Monthly %
Average * Change Change Hull -4.6 -3.3% 6.4% UK Regional Cities 0.9% -1.2% 1.3% North & Yorkshire -2.9% 0.4% 3.1% UK Towns & Cities -0.4% -0.6% 0.4%
* Moving Average – The average annual % change in Pedestrian flows for the last 12 months.
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Retail Occupancy:-
September 2012 Occupied 38 Vacant 9
North Side 21 North Side 1 South Side 17 South Side 8
September 2013 Occupied 38 Vacant 9
North Side 21 North Side 1 South Side 17 South Side 8
Outgoing, Relocations / Closures
WH Smiths Schuh Britannia Bank Innovations (Fashion Store)
Incoming, Hull Peoples Memorial (Charity) Breast Cancer Helpline (Charity) Heron Frozen Foods Clearout (Fashion Store)
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Page 32 of 76
Report to the Planning Committee Wards Ings,Holderness, 17th December 2013 Pickering.
Economic & Regeneration Overview & Scrutiny Commission 9th January 2014
City Centre Development Briefs Kingston House & Queens Gardens
Report of the City Planning Manager
1. Purpose of the Report and Summary
1.1 This report is to inform the Committee that Development Briefs are being produced for key Council owned city centre regeneration sites. The briefs will assist in securing competitive bids for the sites and also help to shape the council’s wider development aspirations for key sites.
1.2 Given the recent designation of Hull as the Capital of Culture for 2017 it is essential that all sites across the site are promoted for appropriate development. This report provides a focus for 2 key city centre sites which are likely to be reshaped in some way for the City of Culture year.
1.3 The Hull City Council Land interests covered by these development briefs are for the following sites:
1.2.1 Kingston House (Appendix A) 1.2.3 Queens Gardens (Appendix B)
2. Recommendations It is recommended that:
2.1 Members endorse the Development Briefs (Appendix A and B) to support the disposal/development of these sites in line with achieving Members aspirations for the sites and meeting the policy requirements as set out within the City Plan and Local Plan.
2.2 Any minor changes are agreed by the City Planning Manager in consultation with the Chairman and are incorporated into the adopted Briefs.
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1 3. Introduction 3.1 The current government economic strategy has created pressure for local authorities to rationalise their assets.
3.2 Development briefs on these sites remove uncertainty in their marketing, giving developers a degree of clarity when tendering for their purchase. In the prevailing market conditions the Council consider that removal of uncertainty is a key requirement when offering development opportunities. The briefs will help maximise the capital receipt which can reasonably be obtained in accordance with requirements of the general disposal consent. The development briefs will assist in achieving Members aspirations for the sites in line with policy requirements as set out within the City Plan and Local Plan.
5. Summary of Current Approach
5.1 Capitalise on underutilised assets that do not in their current form sufficiently support service provision and can provide capital receipts to invest in viable City Council assets.
6. Options 6.1 Option 1 – Endorse the Development Brief as to help speed up the planning process and give certainty to guide future development. The development briefs are needed on these sites and in the prevailing market conditions the removal of uncertainty is a key requirement when offering development opportunities.
6.2 Option 2- To reject the Development Briefs, If the development briefs are not formally adopted it could lead to speculative bids for schemes which are unacceptable and run against current policy guidelines. This can complicate the disposal process leading to a delay in ranking of offers received and decisions on recommendations for their acceptance.
6.3 Option 1 is the preferred option as this ensures the development briefs support the disposal of redundant council assets and convert them into capital assets. to remove uncertainty in their marketing, giving developers a degree of clarity when tendering for their purchase.
7. Council Priorities
7.1 The City Council is committed to supporting Hull as the capital of culture and delivering projects aligned with the cityplan objectives. Sites within the city centre which are highly visible are clear priorities in ensuring the city becomes a clear destination point for visitors. In addition the future disposal of either site will secure significant funding for the city council to distribute as necessary to other council priorities. The City Council recognises the importance of supporting and encouraging new initiatives in revitalising the economy and ensuring the long term economic health of the City and Region.
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2 8. Comments of the Director of Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer
8.1 The recommendation at paragraph 2.1 of this report that Committee endorses the Development Briefs at Appendices A and B in order to support the disposal/development of these sites in line with achieving the Council’s aspirations for the sites and meeting the policy requirements as set out within the City Plan and Local Plan is supported.
9. Comments of the Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer
9.1 The City Treasurer notes the development briefs for Queens Gardens and Kingston House.
10. Comments of the Human Resources City Manager
10.1 The HR City Manager has considered this report and there appears to be no HR impact.
11. Comments of the Head of Scrutiny
11.1 This report is due to be considered by the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission at the meeting of Thursday 9 January, 2014. (Ref. Sc4019)
12. Conclusions
12.1 The adoption of the Development Briefs is a key component in the City Council’s strategy to maximise the role of the city centre as a visitor desitnation and to drive value for the council’s assets. The briefs will shape the future development of the area and will speed the delivery of development. The briefs will provide surety that the proposals are deliverable as it will be endorsed by the Planning Committee and this will provide certainty to developers.
Alex Codd, City Planning Manager
Contact Officer : Grant Cairns Telephone No. : 2426
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: -
(i) City Plan
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3
Page 36 of 76 H U L L C I T Y C O U N C I L P L A N N I N G S E R V I C E S
KINGSTON HOUSE
D R A F T D E V E L O P M E N T B R I E F
M A Y 2 0 1 3
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Contents
1. The Site 2. Site History 3. Site Boundary 4. Land Use 5. Local Distinctiveness 6. Materials 7. Building forms and massing 8. Scale 9. Scope 10. Building Line with Highways advice 11. Parking 12. Listed Building Setting 13. Modules and Bay widths 14. High Ceilings 15. Corners 16. Active frontage 17. Entrances 18. Flood Risk 19. Sustainability 20. Pedestrian access and movement 21. Public realm 22. Amenity 23. Public art 24. Transport 25. Policy 26. Site analysis Plan 27. Indicative layout Plan.
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Aerial view from the south.
1. The Site - is situated at the North East of the City centre as part of the business and commercial district centred around the Maltings which is a successful conversion of the old Hull Brewery Buildings. The site is on the eastern side of Bond Street which is a short underused section of dual carriageway built in the early 1960’ s as part of a wider, unrealised highways scheme. The site is currently occupied by a 4 storey office block with ground floor commercial units. There is a 13 storey tower block at the corner of Sylvester and New Garden Street set back from Bond Street as part of the development which is linked across Sylvester Street by an arch. In 2011 a development Brief was produced for Albion Square and advocated grade A office and commercial development as the most viable development in this part of the city centre. Kingston House had become unviable by 2012 and the site identified for disposal in 2013.The current site at ground floor is split by Sylvester Street into two parcels, the north one is approximately 850m2, and the south one is approx 1560m2. The current floor space yield on the site is awaiting NPS
2. Site History – Bond Street was part of the Georgian New Town developed after the Hull Dock company built Queens Dock (now Queens Gardens)in the late 18 th Century. The area remained intact until the Second World War when it suffered extensive bomb damage. Bond Street was widened to a dual carriageway in the early 1960s and Kingston House designed by Fry, Drew and Partners was built 1965 -67 and remained in use since however by 2012 it had reached the end of G.F.Smith C.1885 looking down Bond Street from Albion Street. Page 39 of 76 its viable life. Hull Brewery closed in1985 and the buildings were successfully transformed to a commercial office centre known as the Maltings which is an important part of the City centre economy.
3. The site boundary. The current site boundary is constrained to a linear strip along the east side of the Bond Street Dual carriageway. The city council ownership extends across Sylvester street and across bond Street to the central reservation. Archway – The archway is a visual block to Sylvester Street and inhibits the Adopted road opportunity for strong corner treatment. Land in council The Archway unifies 2 separate sites ownership either side of Sylvester Street and splitting them could be advantageous in terms of marketing and development as this could be done in phases. The Bond Street dual carriageway is underused and a case could be made for closing the east carriageway and including it in the Kingston House Site(s). This would increase the footprint of the site by about 60% North of the archway as existing is approx. 850m2 North of the archway including Bond Street and some set back from St. Charles is approx. 1390m2.-(+61%) Site 2 south of the archway as existing is approx 1560m2. Site 2 south of the archway including Bond Street 2370m2.-(+65%) See 10. Building Line – Highways advice
4. Land use – this is a city centre site and has the scope to accommodate many uses, it is adjacent to the Maltings commercial development of the former Hull Brewery which has a call centre and offices with a residential conversion – the Bond Warehouseimmediately adjacent at the north side of Silvester Street, residential use continues through to Jarratt Street in St.Charles presbetery – there are issues of
Page 40 of 76 amenity here. The Background research for the Albion Square Development brief by Drivas Jonas in 2010 indicated a strong demand for grade A office development at that location on the basis that there was then no available grade a office space left in the city. The success of the adjacent Maltings office development seems to bare that out. All other City centre uses would be appropriate providing they can deliver a building form that reflects the strong contextual influences in terms of scale, enclosure and materials.
5. Local Distinctiveness The site is located adjacent to the Georgian New Town Conservation Area and sits within the context of high grade listed buildings and townscape. The site abuts the west end of the Victorian Hull brewery complex listed grade 2 by William Sissons 1867 – 69 on Sylvester Street now the Maltings commercial complex. Although the 3 storey building immediately adjacent to the site on the north side of Silvester Street was a Bonded Warehouse and architecturally is distinct from the Brewery range in material and detail.
At the North east corner the site abuts the 1828-29, St.Charles of Borromeo Roman Catholic church presbytery by John Earle Junior grade 2* listed buildings.
Kingston House is opposite The Albion Square regeneration site where there is a new contemporary styled health centre and public square built in 2011provided by the Local Primary Health Care Trust. This is on the west side of the site the rest remains mostly as a City Council surface car park with a vacant 4 storey early post war department store in the south east corner opposite the south end of Kingston House. Albion Square is subject to an adopted Development brief produced in 2010.
Page 41 of 76 Vacant department Primary Health Care Trust Albion Street stores building.
New square
Bond Street
Currently while Albion Square remains largely undeveloped the site is in the setting of 17-30, Albion Street a fine grade 2 listed Georgian terrace built 1794-96.
At the south end of Bond Street is the 2 storey TSB building which is a good example of 60’s architecture.
In the National Planning Policy framework 2012 there is strong support for Design and Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment, of particular relevance are the following extracts: ‘7. Requiring good design para 58 principles: Planning policies and decisions should aim to ensure that developments: • will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development; • respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surroundings and materials, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation; 12. conserving and enhancing the historic environment. Para. 131. In determining planning applications, local planning authorities should take account of: ‘ the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness.’
6. Materials- There is a rich palette of traditional materials such as brick, slate and render, there is also stone detailing in, quoins, plinths, rustication, widow cills and string courses. Roof lines have interesting detail such as metal and glass cupolas, louvered ventilation cowls, a cast iron footbridge and fire walls. Paving materials are traditional and modern with some distinctive large York stone units with metal coal holes. 20 th century Materials are dominant at the south end of Bond Street where Portland Stone, concrete, glass and stone cladding have a Page 42 of 76 strong presence . A lack of cleaning and maintenance of these materials detracts from t he buildings simple archectural forms and surfaces. T he new health centre on Albion Square introduces contemporary cladding to the mix . Development of a wider palette that contributes positively to the context would be supported.
7. Building Forms and massing - The Georgian New T own has consistent building form s in 3.5/4 storey terraces with front sloping pitched roofs. The windows give a proportional vertical, balance to the horizontal terraces defining the plot widths which give characteristic proport ion to the bays . The ground floors are characteris ed by basements and steps. Flood Risk mitigation and access requirements exclude any literal references to the steps and basements although boundary treatment and landscaping can provide references. The Maltings is a Victorian Brewery distinguished by the scale , massing and detailing of the buildings in contrast to the classical uniformity of the terraces, through materials they harmonise. Modern building forms at Albion Square and the s outh end of Bond Street introduce simpler unadorned forms some with increased scale and massing, faced with more dominant fenestration and some assymetrical detailing .
8. Scale – Although there is currently a tower block reaching 13 storeys on site the CABE/English Heritage advice on Tall Buildings should be considered.
Page 43 of 76 The CABE tall buildings guidance still stands as sound advice on assessing tall buildings in the absence of adopted policy. Of relevance are the following extracts :
i) The relationship to context, including natural topography, scale, height, urban grain, streetscape and built form, and the effect on the skyline. Tall buildings should have a positive relationship with relevant topographical features and other tall buildings; the virtue of clusters when perceived from all directions should be considered in this light.
ii) The effect on the whole existing environment, including the need to ensure that the proposal will conserve, or not damage or detract from: ● World Heritage sites and their settings, including buffer zones ● Scheduled Ancient Monuments and their settings ● Listed buildings and their settings, including the foregrounds and backdrops to landmark buildings ● Conservation Areas and their settings ● Archaeology ● Historic parks and gardens, landscapes and their settings ● Other open spaces, including rivers and waterways, their settings and views from them ● Other important views, prospects and panoramas.
There are two parts of the site separated by Sylvester Street. Sylvester Street should be kept open to preserve the connectivity into the Maltings and to the rear of George Street. The Maltings frontage to Silvester Street is 3-4 Victorian storeys so there is possibly a tolerance of 4-61/2 modern stories developable on the Kingston house sites. This can also continue along the Bond Street frontage to the north end where a building is immediately in the setting of St.Charles of Borromeo Roman Catholic Church. The quality of the church is an opportunity and the north end of the Kingston House site should be developed in deference to the church so an imposing scale is discouraged and the possibility of setback to allow the church some prominence and possibly create some pavement space at the corner of Jarratt Street is worth considering. South of Sylvester Street there is the opportunity to increase scale possibly by a further 2 storeys to increase the capacity of the building. While sitting comfortably with the Jameson Street end of Bond Street which has buildings with an imposing massing eg the former COOP and Edwin Davis.
9. Scope – there is plenty of scope for a redevelopment of the Kingston House site to source many influences to inform contemporary buildings that harmonise and contribute added value to the historic context and emerging regeneration of Albion Square.
Page 44 of 76 10. Building Line –Sylvester Street has building lines set by the Maltings buildings generally to back of pavement . The rear of the site at Sylvester Street and New Garden Street is where there is scope for servicing and any parking to locate. The Bond Street line is flexible as the site extends to the central reservation, the scope of how far development could extend would be determined by the highway requirements.
Highways Advice In principle, the Highway Authority is supportive, providing Bond Street can operate safely and efficiently as a two-way single carriageway and as long as: • Bus stops and waiting areas, cycle routes, street lighting, CCTV, other street furniture, signs and lines can be accommodated • The signals at its southern end remain unaffected or are modified to suit • All necessary turns can be made ( Albion Street / Jarratt Street, Silvester Street, New Garden Street, George Street, and Albion Street car park) • Utility services are checked and relocated or made accessible as appropriate. • Removal of parking bays and associated signs and equipment on the northbound carriageway (western side of Bond Street) • Northbound movements remain unaffected since this provides an important cross city movement • Provision of cycle parking to serve the development and public. • Replacement motorcycle parking will be required.
To meet these requirements may mean that the extent of the widening may need to be reduced. Bus lay-bys and a 3.5-4.5m footway width are likely to be needed along the eastern side of Bond Street.
Other comments:
1. Buses would need to continue on this route since the alternative via King Edward Street and Jameson Street is already busy and the carriageway would not be able to take the additional movements and weight without reconstructing it. If this were to happen, it would require Bond Street to be used as the alternative route.
2. There is no issue with the loss of the on-street parking spaces from both sides of the road since there is spare capacity elsewhere, and the removal of those on the western side would help with movements. With respect to the Albion Street car park, I have assumed it would operate as now with its entrance and exit onto Bond Street with a permitted right turn in and out, although the entrance and exit or part thereof could be relocated to Albion Street.
3. New Garden Street is one-way north-eastbound from Silvester Page 45 of 76 Street with car parking and servicing off for the businesses along the part of the north side of George Street. This would need to continue.
There would be a number of procedures and regulations that would need to be satisfied with the Highway Authority before, during and after redevelopment, assuming it is consented and proceeds. This would include a transport assessment, comments and conditions on any planning consent, as well as legal agreements and orders to address works in or on the highway, bus, parking and traffic management. If as indicated, part of Bond Street is to be built upon, a potential complication could arise over the extinguishment of the highway rights. Where the road, including the footway and carriageway, is to be built upon a stopping up of the highway rights would be required. The order for stopping up is undertaken through the Magistrates Court, assuming the Highways Act is used; as this is necessary for redevelopment, the Town and Country Planning Act should be used. Such orders under the Highways Act currently cost around £2,000 from 1 June 2013 and an applicant has to apply to the Highway Authority. In this case, the area is relatively extensive and may cost more. As with all orders, there is a risk that the intended outcome is not secured. Anyone or organisation can object and any objections received have to be resolved by the Applicant before the court hearing and, even where these are overcome, the Magistrate may reject the proposal.
Vehicular Access – Silvester Street is not adopted to the east beyond New Garden Street. Vehicular Access can enter and leave from bond street with service access to the east side of both plots one off Silvester Street and the other off New Garden Street.
11. Parking. - Displaced parking can be accommodated at Pryme Street, disabled parking should be able to be accommodated within the remaining kerbside or on site. Hull City Council Highways Design Guide for New Developments 2011, Appendix B – parking standards.
12. Listed Building Setting- The setting of all the Listed Buildings identified in Para 5 ‘Local distinctiveness’ is an important material consideration. Development should not detract from these assets, St.Charles of Borromeo Roman Catholic Church being of grade II* quality requires subservience to promote this asset, Albion Street and the Maltings need sensitive integration but with a contemporary building that has its own integrity that clearly distinguishes it.
13. Modules and Bay widths –Bond Street has lost all its traditional buildings and plots but the adjacent Georgian terraces at Albion Street and around the corner in George Street give a credible reference. Monotony should be avoided and scope for a variety of architectural
Page 46 of 76 statements and materials provided with a loose rhythmic reference to help consolidate and retain the sense of place. See 1856 plan below.
1856 map showing characteristic plot or bay widths see also the F.S.Smith drawing at 2. Site History.
14. High ceilings – particularly on the ground floor give a sense of proportion and introduce more flexibility in the ground floor for different uses over the lifetime of the building it also compensates for higher floor levels required by flood risk.
15. Corners – the site has the potential for several exposed corners up to 4 on Bond Street, these can be treated in different ways – splayed, curved or square at ground level depending on sight lines and corner geometry. Upper storeys, the eaves and roof line can feature various levels of animation as appropriate to the strategic value and prominence required. The corner next to St.Charles of Borromeo Roman Catholic Church needs to show deference and be harmonious, the opposing corners at Sylvester Street could make a strong gateway statement. A corner at the south end if the building projects forward of the current building line can make a strong focal statement viewed from Jameson Street giving the city centre a recognisable landmark. Dual aspect is encouraged to animate both elevations of a corner.
16. Active frontage – the primary frontage is Bond Street which is currently occupied at ground floor by units that include a restaurant, various services and some vacant units. The south end block is the most accessible from the City centre shopping core so issues of viability will need to dictate whether the current provision is still feasible. An animated ground floor is a high priority particularly at the south end block however a frontage that reflects the activity of Albion Street might be more successful in the North block. Sylvester Street and particularly New Garden Street are likely to be the service streets, The frontage to Sylvester Street needs to be of a high standard and relate to the quality of the Maltings.
Page 47 of 76 17. Entrances - There are options for where entrances go including corners or elevations if there are ground floor units then they need direct access off the street but acces to a place of refuge within the building is required., the primary entrances should address Bond Street and Sylvester Street
18. Flood risk -Strategic Flood Zone 3a ii) Standing advice for medium hazard - floor levels of 600mm plus 300mm flood proofing and place of safety above 5mAOD. See 20. Access for level access to ground floor commercial units.LPA considers relevant tests. Beyond the standing advice there are initiatives to mitigate surface water run off such as green roofs, greywater recycling, permeable surfaces, water retention landscaping and an effective SUDS scheme that will be strongly supported.
19. Sustainability – apart from flood mitigation resource efficiency is strongly supported by the City Council. This is a shallow west facing plot that constrains the exploitation of solar technology and splits the solar gain potential between the two elevations. Passive solar gain, passive ventilation, rainwater /grey water recycling, green roofs, low resource consumption, photo voltaic/solar thermal, sustainable construction, centralised low carbon heating and other sustainable innovations. With regard to commercial premises BREEAM excellent will be encouraged but BREEAM very good is acceptable. Office development is recommended to be grade A standard in accordance with Drivas Jonas findings see 5. Local distinctiveness . With regard to residential elements the relevant Code for Sustainable homes standard will apply but a higher standard is encouraged and supported. Roof forms, shading louvers and roof top plant could influence the character and form of buildings.
20. Pedestrian Access and movement- Inclusive access to all parts of the development is required. This is complicated by the 600mm floor levels which require a 14m ramp at 1:20 gradient for level access. Ground floor commercial units can have level access providing there is an internal refuge provided at 5mAOD. Disabled parking bays should be provided on site or at adjacent kerbside in accordance with Hull City Council Highways Design Guide for New Developments 2011, Appendix B – parking standards. . If residential use is included then Lifetime Homes Standards are expected.
21. Public realm – Pedestrian circulation and links should be comfortable and legible retaining links and improving the permeability of the area. It should accommodate adequate and where relevant cycle parking, seats, signage, bins, soft landscape, surface water management, trees and lighting to enable it to function properly and add value to the experience of the area.
Page 48 of 76 22. Amenity- although adjacent to Kingston Square and Albion Square amenity space should be provided on site. The development should not impact on neighbouring residential properties through considerate construction and the end use of the development such as privacy, noise, servicing requirements and shift patterns.
23. Public Art – A large development such as this is capable of providing a public art element which can be incorporated in the building design or the adjacent public realm.
24. Transport – A Transport Statement/Assessment will be required. The City centre has a modern transport interchange within ten minutes walk or directly linked on the passing bus loop which links to the wider city and through to the region and national networks. Green transport plans are encouraged.
25. Policy National Planning Policy Framework 2012 Paras- 14, 17, 23, 32, 50, 59, 60, 61, 128 and 131 Joint structure plan for Kingston upon Hull and the East Riding policy – EC1,SP1,SP2 Hull Local plan policy relevant to this site - City Centre- CC1,CC2,CC3,CC4,CC6, CC7,CC8,CC9, CC10, CC13,CC18,CC19, CC26,. Built environment BE1, BE2,BE3, BE9,BE10,BE11,BE12,BE15, BE21, BE28,BE35. Relevant Guidance – Albion Square Development brief 2010
26. Site Analysis St.Charles of Borromeo Roman Catholic Church. Refurbished listed Georgian terrace The Maltings, predominance of listed buildings adjacent to New square. site good frontage to Silvester Street Local Primary Health Care Trust building.
The 13 Storey Tower
Conservation Area Grade 2* Listed Building Grade 2 Listed Building Locally Listed Building George StreetPage Area 49 of of 76 potential change. Corners Building line Service Access Points Albion Square pedestrian network
27. Indicative Scheme
1 Indicative footprint - 4-6 /2 stories 1 6-8 /2 stories Gateway, corner, architectural reference Public realm Servicing Access Service access Page 50 of 76 Pedestrian link
H U L L C I T Y C O U N C I L P L A N N I N G S E R V I C E S D E V E L O P M E N T D E L I V E R Y T E A M Hull City Council Economic Development and Regeneration Department
Masterplan Guidance, Queens Gardens, Hull
July 2013
Location City Centre, contained by Guildhall Road, Queens Dock Avenue and Wilberforce Drive. Site size garden 300x86m – 25,800m2, Fountain site approx. 3847m2. Total=29647m2(2.96Ha) Conservation Area setting of Old Town and Georgian New Town Archaeology in Archaeological area of interest Listed buildings setting of Wiberforce Monument, 79, Lowgate and Guildhall Local list No Brownfield Yes Public Transport Transport interchange 15mins, George Street bus link Parking George Street MS Land Use any City Centre use or mixed uses– see policy CC2.
Page 51 of 76 Analysis
H U L L C O L L E G E
Q U E E N S G A R D E N S
G U I L D H A L L
Q U E E N V I C T O R I A S Q U A R E
Site boundary conservation Area Listed buildings
Queens Gardens is subject to a masterplanning exercise undertaken by NPS on behalf of the Riverside Committee and the City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager which has aspirations to promote events space activity on the site. See appendix 2, 3 and 4. The the value of the site as an example of landscape design by the prominent Architect Sir Frederick Gibberd seems to have been overlooked and needs some in depth consideration. The following document is an appraisal of the gardens in terms of its historic and architectural interest, urban design and the issues and options that this presents.
Queens Gardens is surrounded by some substantial buildings which are balanced by the space . The building typology is mostly post war apart from the south east corner where there survives a block of Georgian and Victorian buildings fronting Lowgate, a Georgian Bond Warehouse fronting Guildhall Road and the Unison offices on the corner of Quay Street, all grade 2 listed buildings. Currently there is only one site that is subject to redevelopment and that is Queens Gardens Police Station which has the potential to contribute positively to the backdrop of Queens Gardens and is subject to a briefing note prepared in 2011 for the site attached as appendix 5.
Page 52 of 76 History Queens Gardens is part of the former Queens Dock, the first dock in Hull built between 1775 and 1778 to a design by Henry Berry of Liverpool and John Grundy of Lincolnshire; Luke Holt acted as resident engineer, appointed on the civil engineer John Smeaton's recommendation. The dock was called ‘The Dock’ until the construction of further docks, whence it was called The Old Dock, it was officially re-named the Queen's Dock in 1855.
The dock entrance survives as a dry dock on the River Hull just south of North Bridge, and the dock itself built along the line of the North Walls as far as the Beverley Gate. Some of the work proved inadequate, requiring reconstruction later. The dock walls were of local brick, whilst mortar for its construction was rendered waterproof through the use of pozzolana imported from Italy. At the entrance to the dock on High Street a Dutch style double drawbridge, counterbalanced for ease of use allowed people to cross the lock.
The dock was 1,703 ft (519 m) long, 254 ft (77 m) wide, and the lock 121 ft (37 m) long and 38 ft (12 m) wide, with the depth of water being between 15 and 20 ft (4.6 and 6.1 m) depending on the tide.
1856 ordnance Survey of the original Queens Dock.
The dock closed in 1930 and was sold to Hull Corporation for £100,000, subsequently it was infilled flush to the adjacent land and part converted to an ornamental gardens known as Queen's Gardens. It was opened in 1935 and is still a substantial formal green space adjacent to the city centre still retaining the definition of the original old town walls along the south edge of the site.
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1950’s base showing 1935 scheme
The Gardens beyond the fountain were remodelled after the Second World War by Sir Frederick Gibberd who produced a wide variety of architectural and landscaping projects, including Heathrow Airport, Liverpool Catholic Cathedral, Regent's Park Central Mosque and the landscape design of the Kielder Reservoir. It was reopened in May1961, Gibberd also designed the college opened 1962 , the 1968 College of Commerce extension and the Art and Design College in 1974, these were the only parts delivered of a coordinated plan that included a winter garden.
1961 Frederick Gibberd plan
Page 54 of 76 The current gardens are in two parts the surviving 1935 fountain and pedestrianised Queens Dock Avenue at the west end which works as a ‘circus’ setting for the Town Docks Museum and other distinctive surrounding buildings where routes converge. The fountain area is screened off from the large sunken part of the gardens featuring Sir Frederick Gibberds Design that signify’s the central section of the Old Queens Dock and the alignment of the mediaeval town walls on the south side. The gardens make a special place within the City Centre as an amenity hub, events space, with transient space, contemplative space, active space and leisure space creating an important townscape setting distinctive to Hull with a strong sense of place.
Queens gardens - issues
Access – this is a priority as the Gardens do not meet appropriate access criteria. Queens Dock Avenue - The area around Queens Dock Avenue is a segregated area at level with the surrounding streets and paved with an inclusive surface which is recognised for the high standard of access. The Lower Garden - The sunken part of the Gardens has a variety of ramps and steps. The original Gibberd scheme has a steep ramp at each corner plus 5 flights of steps on the south side, 2 flights of steps at the north east end and integral steps at the east end fountain viewing point. All these are not compliant in terms of the steepness of the ramps, adequate handrails and the tactile marking of their presence. At the Gosschalks solicitors building there is a more modern arrangement of steps and longer shallower ramps dating from 1994 which is still not compliant with current standards. The pattern of paths reflects the trapezoidal pattern of the ponds providing indirect routes that divide the gardens into geometric segments. It is important to bring access to this lower garden up to standard (BS 8300:2009 )to enable inclusive routes across and along the Garden to and from access points on all sides. Guildhall Road is the most deficient and has the most opportunity, it would make sense to install a ramp in the vicinity of Quay Street which links through to the Bus routes on Alfred Gelder Street and Land Of Green Ginger. It is adjacent to good kerbside parking on Guildhall Road and roughly in alignment to the proposed axial route across from Grimston Street. Parking is available on street at Guildhall Road, Dock Street and Queens Dock Avenue and there is a small Car Park at the south west corner off Guildhall Road. There is a good provision of ‘blue badge bays’ at Guildhall Road, some repositioning in accordance with new routes and access points would need to be assessed. Where practicable the other ramps need re- grading to meet the standard. Ramps and access points need to be more legible. In terms of health and safety some visually sympathetic(York Stone) but detectable tactile warnings should be installed at the edge of the ponds. West end – recently there was an initiative to create a substantial compliant access to the lower gardens from Queens Dock Avenue centred on the 1935 Fountain. The scheme was unacceptable to the Planning Committee and the funding diverted to other schemes. A similar future initiative could improve access, open views and link the two elements of Queens Gardens together with a strong structural statement. Although this would be a severe intervention in the landscape at the west end of the gardens there is no public art or important integral structure at that point. It would result in the loss of trees which would be compensated by the opening of a vista to the Town Docks Museum and Queen Victoria Square strengthening the connection.
Page 55 of 76 Cycle Access – at the moment there is no advantage for cyclists to use the gardens as a through route as access ramps are steep and there are no direct routes across the gardens such as in the original 1935 scheme. However upgrading the ramps to be compliant for disabled access and improving through routes would encourage cycle access which could introduce an element of conflict.
Legibility and Views – leading on from access issues clear views into and across the site inform the viewer of routes and attractions to navigate the surroundings. As a large open space views and vistas in, out and within the gardens are a fundamental quality of the gardens. They are incidental and add interest sometimes panoramic and sometimes as framed vistas. Trees - The gardens are now mature and feature large trees that soften the built edges and frame vistas through which the surrounding buildings are glimpsed. The mature trees are a wonderful asset and give the gardens a parkland quality. There is a formal central east-west avenue of Poplars which feature on the original Gibberd Plan then there is under planting with smaller flowering Cherry trees and arbitrary trees of different sorts around the lower garden including Willow, Pine, and Silver Birch. The under planting and arbitrary trees are in addition to the original layout and do interfere with the original site lines. Whether that is considered an issue or whether it is considered to add value and richness to an otherwise rigid and stark layout should be assessed. There is potential to formalise views and expose more landmarks such as the College and Wilberforce Monument, the Guildhall Tower and Boudicca Statue, The Town Docks Museum and City Hall cupolas, the 78, Lowgate turret and the south west corner of the police station site. This would involve the selective removal of trees and possible tree surgery to create or open the views up – would the benefits outweigh the loss of the gardens arboreal fabric? Additional trees would be likely to increase the screening effect and conflict with the original layout. Tree Preservation Order(TPO) – there are no TPOs in Queens Gardens nor is Queens Gardens in a Conservation Area so there is no statutory protection for the trees, However they are in the setting of listed buildings and two conservation areas which applies to Local Plan Policies BE21 and 28. Replacement trees – like for like is the safest route particularly in the case of the poplars which were original to the Gibberd layout, however new species could add variety, biodiversity and visual interest.
Page 56 of 76 Hull College
Former Police Wilberforce Station Monument Art college
Queens Court
Original 1935 Guildhall fountain
Views Improvable views
Facilities - Queens Dock Avenue has the 1935 fountain which is surrounded by raised walls and flower beds where people can informally perch. These are separated by a radial pattern of paths surfaced in ‘crazy’ paving which has a domestic charm fashionable in the 20th century. The fountain was originally surrounded by a circular road Queen’s Dock Avenue where it connected with the east end of the gardens which were originally level with the road. Frederick Gibberds scheme sunk the gardens to express the original void of the dock, requiring ramps and steps to be installed mostly segregating Queens Dock Avenue. The Avenue was part paved along the east side in the 1980s creating a wide boulevard where the east boundary has a feature wall with popular recessed seating. Queens Dock Avenue Fountain and circus with bespoke recessed seats
Within the Lower gardens there are Ponds, sunken gardens and seating areas, a variety of seats, a café and commemorative stage, a central paved square, a recent band stand, high quality public art and artifacts and a distinctive drinking fountain. Ponds - these are original trapezoidal Frederick Gibberd features with fountains and reedbeds. They have unguarded edges level with the paving which currently do not have warning tactile markers.
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East end pond west end pond Sunken gardens and seating areas– There are two surviving one at each end of the Gardens the central one being replaced by a paved square. These surviving sunken gardens are screened from the main gardens, are regularly used and are integral to the Gibberd design. There is a compelling case for retaining them to preserve the facility and the integrity of the garden design. They are on the central axis and do not really inhibit everyday pedestrian flows, they could inhibit flows of occasional event crowds. The East Garden is called a peace garden and features a statue by Jimmy Boyle and some informal memorial plaques and stone s which could be a sensitive issue should they need moving.
West end sunken garden East end peace garden
Seats – There is a variety of seats some are integral to the design and recessed into or attached to the walling at the edge of the garden while others are free standing but sympathetic or stylish later additions to the area.
Recessed attached new addition
The wooden seats are preferred by the access group as being comfortable in terms of temperature not getting too hot or cold, this probably applies to all users as well.
Page 58 of 76 Maintenance is an issue but wooden seats can be repaired which is a sustainable consideration. Café and commemorative stage central paved square and band stand – the centre of the gardens has an area of facilities which were not part of the original Gibberd Plan. There is a single storey Café on the north side at the end of Grimston Street which faces onto the garden. The building is utilitarian and does not add value to the architectural elements. It also obstructs views into the gardens from Queens Dock Avenue and Grimston Street. There is a stage attached to the café which has been used for concerts, events and summer musical entertainment. At the centre of the garden opposite the café is a square replacing one of the sunken gardens and providing a versatile all weather surface with seating and the capacity to stage events and their accessories. Recently a Band Stand to stage concerts by the Humberside Police band has been installed at the south west corner of the Gardens as a requirement of the then Lord Mayor in 2011.
Café, stage and square Bandstand
High quality public art, artifacts and a distinctive drinking fountain – Sir Frederick Gibberd and a representative of the Arts Council was on the panel which selected Public Artists Robert Adams(whose relief is at the east end pond fountain) and local art tutor Kenneth Carter (whose 5 panels are on the north side at the steps opposite the former police station and Gosschalks). See appendix 1 Ms Pegrum(the keeper of Gibberds collection) has come across an entry in his diaries for 1962 with a clipping from the Architects Review of July 1962 which describes the work by Robert Adams in detail and clearly links it to Hull Technical College with the description 'College in a City Garden'. ‘Mankind under threat’ Statue by Jimmy Boyle located in the Peace Garden at the east end of Queens Gardens. See appendix 1 There is a Plaque to Robinson Crusoe commemorating the links to Hull where Thomas Selkirk sailed from. See appendix 1 Artifacts – there is a stretch of the lower original dock wall where granite mooring bollards from the original dock are featured. See appendix 1 Drinking Fountain – there is a bespoke 1960’s drinking fountain assumed as commissioned as part of the original scheme. See appendix 1
Page 59 of 76 Paving – the paving is distinctive to its time and is in a pattern of different sized units of natural stone laid in an irregular pattern within narrow strips of darker material possibly slate or granite. The condition of some of the pavers is poor and some inappropriate patching with tarmac is evident. New paving has been introduced at the square and elsewhere using concrete Flags. These do contrast with the stone in terms of quality and character. The evidence of the maintenance shows a lack of aptitude and indifference to the original scheme. Stone pattern, damage and patching
Street Furniture – There are surviving examples of street furniture in the seating , lamp posts and lamp heads but there has been a period of indifference and neglect regarding maintenance with the loss of much of the original fabric particularly the recessed seats, lamp heads and lampposts.
Policy Joint structure plan for Kingston upon Hull and the East Riding policy – SP1,SP2, ENV1,ENV 6, ENV7 Hull Local plan policy relevant to this site - City Centre-BE1, BE6, BE10, CC3, CC8, CC9, CC11, NE18, NE21. SPG NOTES 6, 10
Issues and Options It must be decided what is of value on the site – Is the Frederick Gibberd scheme as it was delivered and has since been altered and maintained something of value in terms of 20th century design? Some elements are a priority for retention and in terms of context should remain on site these are:
The Public Art – the 5 Kenneth Carter reliefs which could relocate; The Robert Adams Relief which is fixed and dependent on the pond setting. The Robinson Crusoe plaque which is in the wrong location as Thomas Selkirks voyage and the novel both pre-date the construction of Queens Dock and would be more appropriately referenced in the Old Harbour between Drypool Bridge and Myton Bridge. The drinking fountain is a clearly distinctive and bespoke early 1960’s design which at present is not attributed to a designer apart from Gibberd, it needs evaluating but the presumption should be in favour of retention but it could move within the site.
Heritage - The Granite Bollards are able to be moved and installed in another location preferably on the alignment of the dock wall but with a convincing replication which reflects the original dock wall,
Page 60 of 76 coping and dockside surface.
Garden features- The ponds, walls, sunken gardens, Lamps, seats, paved surfaces etc. are all parts that make up the sum of the design. Some of these features such as the ponds and sunken gardens are fixed – what is their value in terms of the trapezoidal character, amenity, atmosphere and reflective qualities? Street furniture – some like the seats could be repaired and replaced reinvigorating the character, some such as the lamp heads and concrete lamp posts are difficult to reinstate but replication is possible to retain the essence of the place, surviving examples could be retained and rationalised into locations where they can interact with the fabric to support the accurate preservation of the design. Surfaces mostly being in natural stone are easy to replace, retaining the fabric but also the patterns of paving.
Planting The Poplar trees along the central avenue are integral to the design. The condition is probably the most important determining factor. Hedges and planting long the periphery and sunken gardens are also integral to the concept. Arbitrary trees need to establish their provenance, are they arbitrarily planted or is there a reason for their existence? eg a commemorative planting by a dignitary.
Structure The walls are reasonably stable and integral to the design, pointing and consolidation is feasible.
Improvements – what is needed to improve the gardens as fit for purpose at the current time?
Access- The ramps, steps, street furniture and surfaces should all comply with BS 8300:2009 to bring the site up to a standard to be an inclusive modern facility for all users. This will require structural intervention at key access points particularly with regard to compliant ramps. Steps may only need hand rails. All these access fixtures and all obstacles such as ponds and sunken gardens will need appropriate tactile marking.
Routes- are directly linked to access but need evaluating according to what exists and what could add value with regard to access points and clear legible routes through the gardens. The main east west avenue is clearly a main axis for the gardens conveying users and linking the facilities. Some areas are uneven due to the action of tree routes. Reinstatement of a more defined north south axial route would reinstate the 1930’s grid.
Servicing Access for routine maintenance vehicles and also for delivering events equipment and supplies needs to be facilitated in the
Page 61 of 76 geometry of the routes and also the strength of the surfaces. The aptitude of the service teams needs to be appropriate to maintaining a high standard.
Events space Successful events in recent years have identified the gardens as a prime venue to host them and the layout needs adjusting to optimise the capacity of the gardens for its future role in staging events. Maybe permanent stage facilities are not necessary but a site that addresses an adequate audience space and has easy access facilitated and the required resources can be installed for temporary stages etc.
Toilets There is the issue of public conveniences which can service the everyday requirements but also might have adjacent space that can accommodate portable facilities for crowd events.
Café The café is utilitarian and is in the way of a potential north south axial route and views into the gardens from Grimston Street. A lighter, stylish pavilion/pod type building could add a focus to the gardens and add great value to the amenity and quality of the area. It should have the capacity for everyday demand which could increase on the existing building but also be able to serve external events crowds. In terms of scale it could go up to two storeys and have a light airy ‘wintergarden’ feel and/or could support an elevated terrace/ mezzanine.
Queens Dock This is a very popular feature and gives the space a focus with Avenue and animation from the changing displays in the flower beds. The Fountain pedestrianised section of Queens Dock Avenue is a successful space in terms of a seating area and as a conduit for pedestrian movement. Access through to the lower gardens and a vista to the cupolas of Queen Victoria Square would enhance the space and strongly support the east west axis through the gardens.
.
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Routes and access points
Conclusion 50 years of wear and tear have taken their toll of the fabric of the Gardens. The regulations, demands and aspirations for the space have changed. It is not currently fit for purpose and requires refurbishment and enhancement to meet the current demands. Maturity, interventions and additions have altered the character and contributed functional elements which are welcome facilities but they detract from the overall design quality, beneath it all the integrity of the original Gibberd scheme survives. There is scope to adapt the gardens to the current demands and bring the existing facilities up to standard by replacement , refurbishment and adding facilities. There is a narrative embedded in the place reaching back to the mediaeval city. Large interventions have defined the place from defensive structures such as the town wall and moat, the creation of the dock and expanding trade, marine technology and practices rendering the dock redundant, municipal innovation creating a public gardens, post war regeneration delivering a high quality modenist landscape style and defining a civic space by a celebrated Architect. The archaeology, the surrounding space, the fountain and the garden are all embedded in the site and document its development. A value needs putting on what is there and whether or how it can inform the form of the garden and its future role in the City Centre as an amenity asset and a site that is custodian to the history and public art embedded in it.
Page 63 of 76 Q U E E N ‘ S G A R D E N S , H U L L Appendix 1. Public Art background to artists.
Queens Gardens Robinson Crusoe 3 x Kenneth Carter 1950’s Drinking plaque reliefs fountain 3 x Kenneth Carter Robinson Crusoe reliefs plaque 2 x Kenneth Carter reliefs
2 x Kenneth Carter William Mitchell reliefs relief Robert Adams relief
Peace garden and Jimmy Boyle Statue
Styling Queens Gardens although an infilled 18th Century Dock is strongly styled from its refurbishment in the 1950s by Frederick Gibberd who had a vision for the site and also designed the college and art college(Sir Frederick Gibberd produced a wide variety of architectural and landscaping projects, including Heathrow Airport, Liverpool Catholic Cathedral, Regent's Park Central Mosque and the landscape design of the Kielder Reservoir.)
Listed buildings Local Listed Buildings Conservation Areas Public art ‘Gibberd was on the panel which selected Robert Adams(whose relief is at the east end at the pond) and local art tutor Kenneth Carter (5 out of 6 of the original panels are on the north side at the former police station and Gosschalks. The 6th panel was removed and put in storage by Leisure Services in 1994 through the construction of the ramps opposite Gosschalks.) as was a representative of the Arts Council. Ms Pegrum(the keeper of Gibberds collection) has come across an entry in his diaries for 1962 with a clipping from the Architects Review of July 1962 which describes the work by Robert Adams in detail and clearly links it to Hull Technical College with the description 'College in a City Garden'. I obviously haven't seen the article myself, but it would seem to imply that the college and gardens were considered as a whole environment.’ (Paul Holloway)
Page 64 of 76 Mankind under Threat Statue by Jimmy Boyle located in the Peace Garden at the east end of Queens Gardens. Heritage 18thC Stone Bollards – these are original stone bollards from Queens Dock resited on a surviving section of the dock walls in front of Huckleberry’s café. On the north side of the Gardens a plaque erected in 1973 to commemorate Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Dofoe’s famous fictional character based on the Scottish sailor Thomas Selkirk, who sailed from Hull in 1651 on the voyage that ended with him castaway on a desert island for over 28 years. The problem is that Queens Dock was not built for another 125years. This might be more appropriate on the Old River Hull harbour eg at the Scale Lane Staith Bridge site. The Peace Garden, at the eastern end of the park, was instituted by Hull City Council for the UN's International Year of Peace in 1986. It features the Jimmy Boyle Sculpture but in recent years private plaques and a couple of engraved stone memorials to deceased people have appeared in the garden ( the City Council may need to consider whether this is appropriate).
Robert Adams
He left school at 14 and did manual work, some in the engineering industry[2] which may have proved useful in his later artistic creations.From 1937-1946 he attended evening classes part-time in life drawing and painting at the Northampton School of Art.From 1949-60 he taught at the Central School of Art and Design and between 1950-80 he was one of Britain's foremost abstract sculptors.Some of his works are in the Tate Britain collection and the modern art in New York, Rome, and Turin, the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art and several other locations worldwide but he is virtually unknown in his home town. Apocalyptic Figure[3] was commissioned by the Arts Council England for the Festival of Britain in 1951. Some of his large-scale sculptures can be seen at The Custom House, London, Heathrow Airport, and Shell Mex House, London.
Kenneth Carter
Ken's art career began as an inspiring teacher, first at his alma mater, Hull College of Art, and later as principal lecturer at Exeter College of Art. Before he moved to the south-west, his commissions included six carved stone panels in Hull Civic Centre's gardens. He gave up teaching in 1970 to concentrate on the Testament Sculptures installed in 1974 in the chapter house of Exeter Cathedral. The theme was creation and nativity. The 15 depictions reinterpret familar Old and New Testament stories.
Jimmy Boyle
Scottish sculptor, novelist and convicted criminal. In 1967 he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of another gangland figure, William "Babs" Rooney. During his incarceration in the special unit of Barlinnie Prison, he turned to art and wrote an autobiography, A Sense of Freedom (1977), which has since been filmed and starred David Hayman as Jimmy.On his release from prison he moved to Edinburgh to continue his artistic career. He designed the largest concrete sculpture in Europe called "Gulliver" for The Craigmillar Festival Society in 1976.
Page 65 of 76 William George Mitchell
Sculptor produced relief on Hull College collaborated with Sir Frederick Gibberd. Born in London in 1925, trained at the Southern College of Art, Portsmouth, and at the Royal College of Art where he won a scholarship which enabled him to study at the British School in Rome. He established the William Mitchell Design Consultants Group, and produced abstract sculptures in concrete, wood, plastics, marble and brick.
Among his other public sculptures are the abstract relief decoration of the porch and belfry of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Liverpool, and wall reliefs for Watergardens in Harlow New Town, 1963.
Photos
2 x Kenneth Carter reliefs outside Huckleberry’s cafe Robinson Crusoe Gosschalks mock dock wall with Plaque Huckleberry’s original Stone Bollards cafe
3 x Kenneth Clark reliefs outside the former police station
1950’s drinking William Mitchell relief Hull College fountain NE corner of Queens Gardens
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Jimmy Boyles Private memorial Robert Adams 1950s paving Man under in Peace Garden relief wall threat Statue
Appendix 2
Report to the Riverside Area Committee Wards Myton 9th January 2013
Development of a Master Plan for Queens Gardens
Report of the City Neighbourhoods and Housing Manager
1. Purpose of the Report and Summary
1.1 To advise the committee of the ‘Queens Gardens Refurbishment’ capital bid developed by the City Economic Development and Regeneration Manager, and
1.2 to seek endorsement of the themes that will guide the development of a master plan for Queens Gardens.
2. Recommendations
2.1 That the Riverside Area Committee supports the progression of the Queens Gardens Refurbishment capital bid
2.2 That a master plan be developed for Queens Garden built around the themes summarised in paragraph 5 of the report.
This is a non-key decision.
Page 67 of 76 3. Background
3.1 Queens Gardens were originally created from an in-filled Georgian dock (Queen's Dock - opened in 1778 and closed in 1930), first laid out in the 1930s and later remodelled in the 1950s to designs by the English architect, planner and landscape designer Frederick Gibberd who also designed the Hull College building.
3.2 From their inception, the Gardens have been characterised by clean simple lines, forms and spaces. Key features of the Gardens include a central broken avenue, trapezium shaped lawns and ponds with central fountains and uninterrupted long views from east to west, terminated by the domes of the Hull Maritime Museum at the west end and the Wilberforce Monument & Hull College at the east end.
3.3 This design ethos is complemented by English modernist sculpture around the Gardens, such as the untitled concrete mural by Robert Adams (one of the few examples of the artist's work in Britain) overlooking the east end pond. The mural was part of a 1950s commission that also included six carved Portland stone abstract panels (five of which survive) by Kenneth Carter, then a lecturer at Hull College of Art.
3.4 Queens Gardens are within the setting of the Old Town conservation area and several listed buildings (all designated heritage assets), which include the grade II* (star) listed Hull Maritime Museum and The Guildhall. The Hull Local Plan lists Queen's Gardens (371) as existing urban greenspace to be retained.
3.5 The Myton Ward members have tasked the Area Director (Riverside, West & Wyke) to co-ordinate proposals to regenerate the Gardens. To drive this forward, a Working Group has been established with representation from various Council service areas including the Area Team, Events, Regeneration, Planning and Parks & Open Spaces.
3.6 In July 2012, Cabinet Working Group considered a ‘Queens Gardens Refurbishment’ capital bid for £5.2 million. The bid is part of a wider bid relating to the Queens Gardens Police building and adjacent property assets belonging to the Council.
4. Current Condition of the Gardens including Street Furniture and Infrastructure
4.1 A structural survey of the Gardens has been completed. No major issues were identified requiring immediate remedial works, however, further investigatory works are to be undertaken on the edging slabs around the water areas to ensure sufficient under pinning of the slabs.
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4.2 In terms of the general appearance of the Gardens, path areas are starting to degenerate, with pavers being broken by vehicles accessing all areas of the Gardens, past repairs have been carried out using differing materials causing a patch-work effect.
4.3 Street lights have been painted up to head height, currently it is not known the number of lights which are operating and light covers in need of either cleaning or replacing. One light on the rose bowl area has been removed as this was damaged.
4.4 There are three different styles of seating in the Gardens - blue metal, concrete and the original bench style along the boundary walls. All are in need of cleaning and repainting/staining.
4.5 Landscape borders are in need of re-designing and planting as the majority of the existing shrubs do not have a natural shape or do not flower. Most of the borders now have good tree cover which has resulted in many of the shrubs being unable to grow in the shaded conditions.
4.6 The tree population in the Gardens is generally healthy. The main concern highlighted in the Tree Survey Report for the site is the root disturbance of the footways particularly by the cherry species in the central walkway causing tripping hazards on the grass and paved areas. On the perimeters, poor pruning of smaller conifer species has led to irregular and unnatural growth. The report recommends these specimens are best removed and replaced with more appropriate species.
5. Progression of a Master Plan
5.1 NPS Humber were commissioned to consider refurbishment options for the Gardens which took account three main roles for the Gardens, namely an event space, an area for informal sports and a formal City Centre garden where residents and visitors to the City could relax.
5.2 As part of these discussions, six principles were proposed to progress a master plan for the site:
(i) Create a clear central avenue with removal of sunken gardens (ii) Open up west end – new entrance – new vista along central axis (iii) Clear central avenue of trees complemented by the development of a strong planting strategy for edges of the Gardens (iv) Possible closure of Wilberforce Drive – link Gardens to college forecourt – natural extension
Page 69 of 76 (v) Circulation – clear strategy to solve issues – existing paths conflict with desire lines (vi) Lighting – opportunity to create safe and visually stunning nightscape via lighting scheme
5.3 In considering the six principles, initial proposals for Queens Gardens are attached at appendix 1. The key features include:
(i) Creation of a clear avenue through the centre of the Gardens that introduces a new entrance to the Gardens from the rose bowl pedestrian area, although maintaining a significant level of trees and shrubs at the western end to create a natural separation between the Gardens and the Rose Bowl; (ii) Re-introduction of a pedestrian route across the Gardens from Guildhall Road to Queens Dock Avenue; (iii) Infilling of the water area at Wilberforce Drive, designating the area as a main stage for events with access to mains services. Vehicular access to the site would be improved to support the promotion of staged events; (iv) Proposed development of sports provision to the front of the Hull College building supported by a proposal to close Wilberforce Drive to vehicular movements subject to consultation with the College. This would complement informal sports activity on the grassed areas in front of the proposed stage area, and (v) Relocation of the Peace Garden to within the Museums Quarter.
5.4 In progressing a master plan for the Gardens, a number of potential short-term actions have been identified, some of which could be funded from Sc.106 commitments, namely:
(i) Complete a lighting survey of the Gardens, exploring potential light fittings to improve illumination levels (ii) Refurbish all current street furniture within the Gardens (seating, litter bins etc), identifying a preferred style (iii) Removal of the Cherry Trees along the central walkway, repairing root damage to paved and grassed surfaces (iv) Re-design landscape borders to introduce new plant species that enhance and complement planting schemes (v) Refurbish the water features at the Rose Bowl end of the Gardens
6. Options and Risk Assessment
6.1 Due to pressures on the Council’s capital allocation, funds may not be prioritised to regenerate the site. Without capital investment, this valuable City Centre asset is under utilised as an events space due to limited access arrangements, the presence of water features and the current layout of the site. In addition, the maintenance
Page 70 of 76 issues identified in paragraph 4 lower the visual appearance of the asset to residents and visitors.
6.2 In progressing to a full master plan of the site, more substantial structural issues may be identified, particularly if works interfere with the original Queens Dock walls/structure. Project proposals would need to be reviewed in order to keep costs within budget.
7. Consultation
7.1 Consultation has taken place with internal Council service areas about how they currently use the open space and how this could be developed for the benefit of residents and visitors. To progress to a full master plan, wide consultation will be undertaken to inform the City’s vision for the site that complements the regeneration of adjacent assets.
Appendix 3
Riverside committee minutes 9th January 2013J. Price, Area Director (Riverside, West and Wyke) presented a report to update Members on the Queens Gardens Refurbishment capital bid, developed by the City Economic Development and Regeneration Manager, to outline action to date and to seek endorsement of the themes that would guide the development of a master plan for the long term regeneration of the Gardens.
Members were updated on: (i) the history of the development of Queens Gardens and that a working group had been established to co-ordinate proposals to regenerate the Gardens; (ii) the current condition of the Gardens including street furniture and infrastructure; (iii) progression of the master plan and that NPS Humber had been commissioned to consider refurbishment options for the Gardens which took into account three main roles for the Gardens, namely an event space, an area for informal sports and a formal City Centre garden; (iv) the initial proposals which include: creation of a clear avenue through the Gardens, re-introduction of a pedestrian route across the Gardens, infilling of the water area at Wilberforce Drive, proposed development of sports provision and relocation of the Peace Garden, and (v) short term actions identified, some of which could be funded from section 106 commitments.
Members stated: (i) the proposals would require a significant capital bid in order to proceed, were something the Council could not fund on its own and the report was intended to kick start the project; (ii) the Gardens were the only significant town centre open space and regeneration could help attract tourists and visitors; (iii) it may provide an opportunity to pilot LED lighting which would fit with the Council's green agenda and provide a showcase for the future; (iv) the proposals made no mention of the bandstand and noted the intention was that it would remain in it current location; (v) that consideration be given to the re-location of the cafe and improving the current offer, and (vi) that the re-location of the Peace Garden needed to be handled in a sensitive manner.
Page 71 of 76 Appendix 4 NPS Masterplan Analysis and Proposals extract
Page 72 of 76 Appendix 5 Queens Gardens Police station Briefing note.
Page 73 of 76 Hull City Council Development Delivery Section July 2013
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Briefing Paper to the: Economy and Regeneration Wards All Overview and Scrutiny Commission. 9th January 2014.
Greening the City proposals update.
Briefing Paper of the City Planning Manager.
1. Purpose of the Paper and Summary
1.1 This briefing note provides updated information on the progress of identifying and implementing schemes to improve the appearance of the City Centre utilising the “Greening the City” budget allocation, in response to a request made at Economy and Regeneration OSC in May 2013 for updates to be provided.
1.2 The attached schedule (Appendix A) details schemes identified and progress.
2. Background
2.1 The Greening the City budget runs over 3 years with £0.5M allocated to each of the first 2 years, and £0.21M for the final year. It is intended to tackle derelict and run-down buildings and areas of the city centre to improve its appearance.
2.2 Identification of schemes is delegated to the City Planning Manager, Corporate Director for Regeneration and Partnerships, Director of Resources and City Treasurer in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Visitor Destination.
2.3 Approval of expenditure from the budget is delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Visitor Destination.
2.4 Members have requested quarterly updates on identification of projects and progress in delivering the “Greening the City” proposals. Details are given in the attached schedule and will be updated each quarter.
3. Issues for Consideration
3.1 The report has been submitted to update Members on site identification and delivery of projects using funds allocated in the “Greening the City” budget
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allocation. A strategy has been agreed by Cabinet to prioritise areas for inclusion and the schemes proposed fit within that strategy. Site identification is delegated as at paragraph 2.2. Sites and projects have been identified and agreed by all approvers. A final decision record has been signed by the Portfolio Holder to agree the sites, subject to final approval of expenditure. Estimated costs for each project are currently being prepared.
5.2 The schedules identify the agreed projects, options and progress. The projects have been chosen to maximise the impact of the budget and to seek to achieve some long standing improvements. A mixture of larger more complex projects and smaller scale projects which can quickly be delivered are included. The list includes both action against privately owned buildings and those within the public realm under the Council’s control. Finalisation of public realm projects will be determined by a city centre public realm report being prepared for Cabinet early 2014.
4. Next steps
A further briefing note will be prepared for Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Commission to update on progress.
Alex Codd, City Planning Manager
Contact Officer : Graham Varley Telephone No. : Extension 2332
Officer Interests: None
Background Documents: -
(i) Report to Cabinet 24/6/13 “Taking Forward the Greening the City Budget to Tackle Eyesore Sites in the City Centre”.
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