Agenda item

Report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development - Public Realm Design Guide and Public Art Policy

Decision:

1.  That the Public Realm Design Guide, attached as appendix 1 of the report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, and as amended by committee be adopted.

 

2.  That the Public Art Policy, attached as appendix 2 and as amended by committee, be adopted.

 

3.  That the Street Furniture Guidelines, attached at appendix 3 and as amended by the urgent update report and by committee, be adopted.

 

4.  That it be agreed that the Public Art Policy be presented to Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee to adopt as a Material Consideration for Planning purposes, and that authority be delegated to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Chairman of Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee and the Chairman of Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee, to insert a section into the Policy setting out the basis for Material Consideration.

 

Minutes:

The Local Economy Project Officer presented the Public Realm Design Guide (including Street Furniture Guidance) and Public Art Policy. An urgent update report was also presented which included amendments to the Street Furniture Guidance, and an amended recommendation with regard to the Public Art Policy.

 

In response to questions it was explained that the movement of pedestrians through different areas would be encouraged thorough the use of themes and materials. Bollards would be used to guide vehicles around obstacles. The Bridges gyratory work that was in progress incorporated improved pedestrian crossings.

 

During discussion the committee proposed the following amendments:

 

Public Realm Design Guide

 

·  P26, Responding to Maidstone’s heritage, paragraph two:

 

-First sentence to read ‘They should include references to’;

-First bullet point to read ‘Eminent people who have resided and/or worked in the borough and have had an impact on the local, national or world stage’.

 

Public Art Policy

 

·  Front cover, amend title from ‘Public Art Guidance’ to ‘Public Art Policy’

 

·  P4, Commission timeframes, opening sentences to read as follows:

 

“A permanent artwork will be designed to last indefinitely but not less than 10 years. Maintenance will have to be factored into the commissioning process to allow the artwork to withstand the timeframe. A semi-permanent commission will be designed to last up to 10 years.”

 

·  P4, Themes, first bullet point to read ‘Eminent people who have resided and/or worked in the borough and have had an impact on the local, national or world stage’.

 

 

Street Furniture Guidance

 

As per the urgent update report and with the following changes:

 

·  P4, Guidance, new paragraph 2:

 

-The Local Economy Officer was asked to confirm whether there was a RAL reference for the gold colour used on town centre street furniture and to insert if identified, and to confirm whether the paint used on metal would be water-based.

-Final sentence of paragraph to read: “Any deviation from this standard will be agreed with MBC’s Street Scene Operations Manager, and the Conservation Officer.”

-All job titles to be updated and standardised across the guidance.

 

The Chairman requested that the finalised documents be circulated to the committee for reference.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the Public Realm Design Guide, attached as appendix 1 of the report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, and as amended by committee be adopted.

 

For – 8  Against – 0  Abstain - 0

 

2.  That the Public Art Policy, attached as appendix 2 and as amended by committee, be adopted.

 

For – 8  Against – 0  Abstain - 0

 

3.  That the Street Furniture Guidelines, attached at appendix 3 and as amended by the urgent update report and by committee, be adopted.

 

For – 8  Against – 0  Abstain - 0

 

4.  That it be agreed that the Public Art Policy be presented to Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee to adopt as a Material Consideration for Planning purposes, and that authority be delegated to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Chairman of Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee and the Chairman of Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee, to insert a section into the Policy setting out the basis for Material Consideration.

 

For – 8  Against – 0  Abstain – 0

 

Supporting documents: