An update will be given at the meeting.

Committee members received an update on the work of the Rainham Compass Programme.

The Rainham Compass vision, agreed by Cabinet in June 2009, outlined the Council’s ambition for Rainham Village, the London Riverside and the surrounding area. Set around the four key points of Village, Enterprise, Community and Riverside, it detailed ambitious plans to preserve and promote Rainham’s rich heritage while further strengthening the community and providing greater cultural, educational and economic opportunities for local people.

A further report to Cabinet in February 2014 set out a five year review of the Rainham Compass and its achievements. The key headline was that over the five years since its inception the Rainham Compass programme had delivered on all twenty-three of the recommendations relating to specific projects and initiatives as set out in the June 2009 Cabinet report. Alongside the main programme of projects identified in the report significant additional regeneration activity had been undertaken and was continuing throughout the Compass area.

Members were advised that recent meetings with the Healthcare Commissioning Group, had taken place, to try and secure better GP facilities in the area.

Members noted that enhancing works were planned for the A1306 and that it would be of benefit if Members were invited to a briefing session with the designers to discuss the proposed works.

Officers advised that development on the Orchard Village site was now in its last phase and that construction was near completion of the largest Passivhaus housing development in East London on the former Carpetright site.

Members also noted that works were continuing to bring Napier and New Plymouth Houses up to Decent Homes standard.

Officers advised that the future focus would be on the large residential development and employment sites along the A1306 particularly on the GLA owned Beam Park site and the adjacent Somerfield development and Dovers Corner ensuring that development was appropriate, high quality and delivered new housing opportunities for local people. This would include the master-planning of the A1306 and the development of a series of public realm and transport improvements for TfL LIP funding. A new rail station at Beam Park was vital to ensure existing communities were able to access employment opportunities where public transport had historically been poor. New development would require new schools and community infrastructure work was continuing to identify needs and funding and sites to deliver them.

Officers also advised that creating high quality public spaces and easy access to the beauty of the Thames and Riverside area was at the heart of the Council’s vision to develop Rainham as an attraction in its own right. Supported by partnership work and multi-million pound investment, the Council aimed to boost the local economy based on the area’s environmental heritage.

Members noted that a lot of the projects were on-going and felt it would be useful if a site visit could be arranged for members to visit completed, on-going and proposed schemes.

During a brief debate members discussed former planning decisions that had been taken with regard to land on both sides of the A13. It had previously been agreed that the north side of the road would benefit from residential properties whilst the south side of the road would be a mix of residential and employment units.

Members also discussed the improvement works that had taken place at the Royals Youth Club and commented that the Viking Walk metal sculpture and the space around was quite an eyesore and that the area would benefit from some soft landscaping and seats. Members suggested the possible erection of a Christmas tree in the area during the festive period.

Members also queried the possibility of improvements along the riverside walk such as a food/drink premises.

Members noted the content of the briefing note and agreed that the vision, goals and ambitions of the on-going Rainham Compass Programme and the four project themes of Village, Enterprise, Community and Riverside were still relevant to the continuing regeneration of Rainham and the London Riverside. Members also agreed with the suggestion of reviewing each of the themes within the Compass at separate meetings of the Working Party.