SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA for the consideration of the North Coast Area Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2014 Business 10.2 Largs Car Park Fund Quarterly Update Submit report by Corporate Director (Development and Environment) on a quarterly update on the implementation of agreed projects (copy enclosed). North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE
NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL Agenda Item 10.2 North Coast Area Committee 26 June 2014 Subject: Purpose: Largs Car Park Fund: Quarterly Update on Projects To provide the Area Committee with a quarterly update on the implementation of agreed projects and seek agreement to the development of new projects. Recommendation: That the Area Committee agrees to note a) the progress on expenditure and the agreed projects to date; and (b) the additional time allocated within the Streetscene Service to deliver the increased range of initiatives supported by the car-park fund and that this will result in an increase in support charges to the fund. 1. Introduction 1.1 At its meeting of 6 March 2014, the Area Committee received an updated report on the undernoted projects and events:- Largs Town Centre Walk Round to discuss streetscape improvements Confirmed the provision of a salt bin during the winter months on the sloped area of the pathway leading towards the Pencil Monument; Investigate the possibility of installing replacement post-top lanterns along the Promenade Investigate the repair or replacement of the gargoyles on the Pencil Monument Improvements to the Haylie Brae picnic area The position of Viking Statue and the possibility of providing lighting Largs Promenade Improvements Position of lamp post banners at Main Street, Largs
1.2 The Committee requested that Officers review and report to a future meeting on the following: The need to engage with Transport Scotland in relation to works around the trunk road; The estimated cost of quick-win improvements to Largs which was to include a) the replacement of the trees in Main Street and the potential provision of uplighters b) the reduction in the number of bins and street furniture c) installation of cycle racks at various town centre locations d) the use of coloured resin to improve the appearance of the footways within the town centre e) provision of hanging baskets and herb planters f) the removal of the redundant stores at the promenade g) the repositioning of tourist information signage. 2. Current Position Progress with agreed events and projects Town Centre Walk Round 2.1 A meeting subsequent to the walk round on the 28 February 2014 took place on the 6 May 2014. The meeting was attended by Councillors Marshall & Mclean, Phil Hinchliff, Transport Scotland and representatives of Streetscene. At this time a number of issues were discussed:- Improvements to paving including utilisation of coloured surfaces. Transport Scotland indicated that any improvements beyond their standard specification for this area could only be accommodated if maintenance responsibilities transferred to the Council. The Council does not have sufficient resources to accept maintenance responsibilities beyond infrastructure for which it is responsible and therefore cannot accept this proposal. Dialogue will continue with Transport Scotland to identify whether different materials can be included as part of any major structural improvements undertaken within the area.
Provision of replacement lighting columns The proposed columns have not been designed to accommodate promotional banners. Officers have continued their discussions with Transport Scotland to identify options to enable the columns to support such banners, a verbal update will be provided to the Committee to reflect the latest position. As a result of the Committees preference that consideration be given to accommodating promotional banners the original installation programme has been deferred. A request has been made to Transport Scotland that in order to avoid disruption during the peak visitor and event season that installation does not commence until the end of the summer season. Tree planting and floral displays Detailed plans are being developed for consideration by Transport Scotland. These will be submitted to the Committee for approval prior to consideration by Transport Scotland. Undertake a comprehensive review of Largs Promenade 2.2. A separate paper has been prepared for the Area Committee consideration on how to take forward their proposal to make improvements to Largs Promenade, Main Street and associated open space. Investigate the potential repair or replacement of the gargoyles on the Pencil Monument 2.3 After taking guidance from Property Management Investment a tender will be prepared for the replacement or repair of the gargoyles on the Pencil Monument during the summer 2014. Improvements to the Haylie Brae picnic area 2.4 The steps from the car park to the view point have been completed. Whilst some of the work was carried out by the Restorative Justice Team the final elements were completed by contractors. 2.4.1 The picnic benches were procured and have been installed. 2.4.2 A new view point sign is currently being produced and will replace the existing one as it has become faded making it difficult to read. 2.4.3 A temporary welcome sign has been installed within the car park adjacent to the steps which leads to the view point. A larger information sign is currently being developed to put in place during 2015.
Provision of lamp post banners at Main Street, Largs 2.5 The banners proposed for the lighting columns along the A78 which were to be designed by pupils will not take place until discussions have been completed with Transport Scotland. Notwithstanding this the Council s and other promotional banners have been identified for the town. Progress & Estimated Cost of Quick Win Improvements 2.6 Of the quick wins identified by the Area Committee meeting of the 6 th March 2014 the following progress has been made: The replacement of the trees in Main Street will be the subject of an option appraisal as identified in 2.1 of this report; The number of bins at Tron Place have been reduced as per the Area Committee s request however some litter issues have arisen from the evening economy which is being addressed by Streetscene; The introduction of cycle racks has been discussed with the Access Officer and the Roads Services to identify the best location for the racks. The estimated cost of supply and installation of the cycle racks is 300 per rack however this is dependent on the style chosen and the number of cycles to be catered for. The Access is currently identifying appropriate locations for installation. Provision of hanging baskets along Main Street will be deferred pending installation of the new lighting columns however a location has been identified in Tron Place for a planter which will be filled with herbs. The initial costs of this are 300 along with a small recurring revenue costs which will be met from within the service recharge to the fund; The removal of the redundant stores on the promenade has been completed. The ownership of the winches is not known, following removal they will be stored for a period of 12 months for the owners to reclaim upon submission of appropriate evidence. The wide-scale repositioning of the tourist information signage will be considered under the review of improvements to Largs Promenade, Main Street and open space. However until such time as this work is completed it is proposed that opportunities to install finger signs for key tourist attractions be explored as a priority.
2.7 It should be noted that the additional events and projects identified for Largs for delivery through the car-park fund has required additional resource allocation from the Streetscene team. This will be reflected by a commensurate increase in support charges to the fund. Viking Festival 2.8 The Viking Festival celebrated the 750 th Anniversary of the Battle of Largs which saw the accommodation provided for exhibitors increase from one village to two. The Area Committee has committed to supporting the Festival and the cost of this year s event is 11,879 which is consistent with costs of previous years. The labour costs for the erecting and dismantling of the two villages was borne by Streetscene Operations, as a one-off, in recognition that it was a significant anniversary event. As part of the 750 th Anniversary celebration three additional landscape features were introduced which included two raised floral beds one depicting a long boat whilst the other identified the date of the Battle of Largs. The third feature was a 3D floral Viking. The total cost of these features was 11,080. Streetscene Current Budget Position 2.9 The Area Committee approved a committed spend of 186,980 to support local projects during the 2013/14 financial year which was met by the balance brought forward from 2012/13 and the car park fee income from 2013/14.
Committed Projects Largs Car Park Fund 750 celebrations Replacement of festoon Lights Minor repairs to Haylie Brae Picnic Area Improvement work to the Haylie Brae Agreed Expenditure ( ) Actual Expenditure to date ( ) Comments 30,000 30,000 Project Complete 35,000 9,481 Project Complete - Working in partnership with Blackpool Council realised significant savings in the procurement of the lights. The installation work was completed after the financial year 2013-14 and the 11,000 installation cost incurred will be charged against the Car Park Fund in this financial year. 2,000 1,983 Project Complete 24,200 9,112 Project progressing. The final elements of the works identified for the picnic area includes the new view point and entrance signs
Improvement to the pathway from Anthony Road to Yacht Haven 50,000 50,000 Project Complete Promoting Largs events of 13,200 8,344 Project complete, however there are outstanding invoices of 5860 in relation to the STV promotional campaign. These costs will be paid in the 2014/15 financial year. Pointing of the 8,500 8,500 Project Pencil complete. Viking Festival 13,000 11,879 2013 event completed. Landscape features 11,080 11,080 Project Complete - All three landscape features were installed to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Largs 186,980 140,379
Income Expenditure Balance c/f from 117,598 Car park running 51,202 12/13 costs 2013/14 Actual income from 172,867 Expenditure to 140,379 car park 2013/14 date for committed projects during 2013/14 Rental Income 5,000 Unrecovered 806 internal recharges Sub total income 296,271 Sub total expenditure 191,581 Cumulative balanced carried forward as at 31 March 2014 104,690 Projected income 2014/15 190,000 Additional costs of Streetscene - 10,000 Team Committed costs for installation of -11,000 festoon lights Committed costs for STV -5860 advertising campaign Projected running costs of the -51,000 car-park Project remaining costs in relation -15088 to improvement work to the Haylie Brae Potential spend for projects in 201,742 2014/15 3. Proposals 3.1 The Area Committee notes a) the progress on expenditure and the agreed projects to date; and (b) the additional time allocated within the Streetscene Service to deliver the increased range of initiatives supported by the car-park fund and that this will result in an increase in support charges to the fund.
4. Implications Financial Implications 4.1 The Area Committee has a remaining committed expenditure of 31,948 for the projects previously agreed. After allowing for the running costs of the car-park and the additional costs of the Streetscene Team there is a projected remaining balance for 2014/15 of 201,742 available for funding new projects. Human Resource Implications 4.2 There are no human resource implications Legal Implications 4.3 There are no legal implications. Equality Implications 4.4 There are no equality implications. Environmental Implications 4.5 A number of agreed projects will provide environmental enhancements. Implications for Key Priorities 4.6 The improvements suggested will contribute towards delivery of some of the Council s core objectives, including regeneration. 5. Consultations 5.1 Consultation has taken place with Planning, Roads Lighting, Property Management & Investment.
6. Conclusion 6.1 The projects agreed by the Committee continue to be developed and implemented within the budgets allocated. CRAIG HATTON Corporate Director (Development and Environment) Reference : CH/DW/LB For further information please contact Donald Wilson, Streetscene Manager, Development & Environment on 01294 225235 Background Papers none