Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Chief Officer Management Team – TO FOLLOW.

(See Members’ Interests)

With the aid of a presentation and a report by Chief Officers Management Team (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) the Cabinet received an update on progress with redevelopment schemes in Huntingdon town centre, together with the proposed heads of terms for agreements to secure redevelopment. In so doing, Members received also the conclusions of the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) thereon.

The Cabinet considered in detail the economic benefits and opportunities that the redevelopment would bring to the town centre and were provided with an update of information by the Director of Environmental and Community Services in respect of negotiations concerning land ownership, funding of the Huntingdon West Relief Road and the financial and commercial risks arising from the proposals in line with the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being). With regard to the funding arrangements for the new link road, Members concurred with the view expressed by Officers and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel that it would be preferable for the County Council to be party to meeting the funding gap pending the receipt of developer contributions. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Director of Environmental & Community Services be authorised to negotiate and conclude the Development Agreements with Sainsbury’s, Churchmanor Estates and Cambridgeshire County Council after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy on the basis of Heads of Terms being considered;

(b)  that Medium Term Plan monies for the “Extra Car Parking, Huntingdon Town Centre” and “Huntingdon Town Centre Development” schemes for the construction of the multi storey car park and the Huntingdon West Relief Road be released; and

(c)  that after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, the Director of Environmental and Community Services be authorised to agree funding arrangements for the Huntingdon West Relief Road until the future Section 106 monies are received.

To consider a report and presentation by the Director of Environmental and Community Services.

(Councillor K Churchill, Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy and Councillor Mrs D C Reynolds, Executive Councillor Leisure and Law, Property and Governance were in attendance for this item.)

The Panel considered a report by the Chief Officers Management Team (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on proposals to redevelop Huntingdon Town Centre. Members were advised that the local economy was driven by the market towns through service, employment and retail provision.  Although Huntingdon was regarded as the District’s economic linchpin its retail footprint (CACI) ranking had recently declined.  It was noted that retailers had raised particular concerns about the low levels of trade occurring on Saturdays.  The Panel were informed that the existing units in the town were too small to attract the higher quality retailers that residents required yet, owing to its location, there would be little difficulty in attracting this kind of retailer to Huntingdon.

It was felt that there was a need to protect and develop the local retail market, particularly as Huntingdonshire had significant exposure to the potential contraction of the public sector given that it provided approximately one third of local employment. The retail sector was known to create jobs. Attention was drawn to the fact that as well as protecting existing jobs, the proposals could create a significant number of new jobs.  While Members acknowledged that the required construction works would create employment, concerns were raised that the works could have an adverse impact on trade levels.  In this respect the Panel recommended that the Council should seek to influence the sequence of developments in order to minimise disruption to trade.

It was noted that work on developing Huntingdon had been ongoing for approximately ten years and that the implementation of the proposals could not commence without the involvement and input of the District Council.  Having examined at length the financing arrangements for the proposals, the Panel felt that a formal analysis of the risks involved should be undertaken, following which contingency plans should be devised.  Members were keen that the proposals should succeed and, following extensive discussions, they outlined a number of concerns about them as they stood and made suggestions to mitigate risks to the Council.

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be advised of the Panel’s views on the redevelopment of Huntingdon Town Centre.