Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director (Place) providing an update on activity across the strands of the Market Towns Programme.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet has noted progress to date of the Market Towns Programme outlined in the report now submitted and has:

(a)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Place, Executive Councillor for Job, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to submit, accept and sign the associated funding agreement for the Ramsey Local Growth Fund bid enabling the delivery of a new produce hub and public realm improvements;

(b)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Place, Executive Councillor for Job, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources the submission of a funding bid in respect of a second round of the Levelling Up Fund;

(c)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place), the Section 151 Officer and Head of Legal Practice in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Place, Executive Councillor for Job, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to enter into all relevant and necessary contracts for the successful design, development, construction and delivery of the Market Towns Programme;

(d)  reflected the change in operational responsibility for the Market Towns Programme, to authorise the Corporate Director (Place) to exercise the above delegations in line with statutory procurement, standing orders and the Council Constitution; and

(e)  noted that update reports will be brought back to Cabinet on a quarterly basis outlining any contracts that have been entered into under the above delegation within the period reported.    

Consideration was given to a report by the Corporate Director (Place) providing an update on activity across the strands of the Market Towns Programme, in particular, the activity on the St Neots Fund Future High Street highways related projects, the planned wider engagement in the draft masterplans for St Ives, Ramsey and Huntingdon and the imminent external funding opportunities.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy and Housing drew attention to the recommendations proposed within the report, the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and made reference to the fact that this work had been inherited from the previous administration. He then went on to report that engagement would be enhanced over the summer period to enable stakeholders’ further opportunity to engage with the programme and summarised the points raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel relating to the challenges around ambition, speed, deliverability and finances of the proposals.

In response to a question raised by the Executive Councillor for Community and Health, the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy and Housing responded that expectations would need to be managed across all projects, including St Neots, and whilst being mindful of the funds available, account would need to be taken of inflation and rising costs.

In noting the progress made to date of the Market Towns Programme, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Place, Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to submit, accept and sign the associated funding agreement for the Ramsey Local Growth Fund bid enabling the delivery of a new produce hub and public realm improvements;

(b)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Place, Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources the submission of a funding bid in respect of a second round of the Levelling Up Fund;

(c)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place), the Section 151 Officer and Head of Legal Practice in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Place, Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to enter into all relevant and necessary contracts for the successful design, development, construction and delivery of the Market Towns Programme;

(d)  to reflect the change in operational responsibility for the Market Towns Programme, authorised the Corporate Director (Place) to exercise the above delegations in line with statutory procurement, standing orders and the Council Constitution; and

(e)  to note that update reports will be brought back to Cabinet on a quarterly basis outlining any contracts that have been entered into under the above delegation within the period reported. 

The Summer Update of The Market Towns Programme is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Corporate Director (Place) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Market Towns Programme – Summer Update was presented to the Panel.

Councillors Cawley and Gardener queried the involvement of residents living in rural areas surrounding Huntingdonshire’s market towns as they did not appear to have been consulted during the process so far. It was noted that these residents are users of the market towns and important in their continued growth. The Panel heard that the new administration would be taking a proactive approach and welcome input and feedback on the process so far and would take this point into consideration and assess the feasibility of including this.

Following a further enquiry from Councillor Gardener, the Panel were assured that the new administration would be assessing the progress to date and would communicate with members and residents as this develops and moves forward.

Following a question from Councillor Cawley, the Panel heard that there were recognised deadlines surrounding funding that had been secured to date but that forward momentum was being maintained to ensure the effectiveness of and maximise these opportunities for residents. The Panel were further assured that there would be a planned stepping up of stakeholder engagement to ensure residents be included rather than excluded.

Having heard further concerns be expressed over the timescales involved, the Panel heard that despite having inherited an ambitious timescale, the administration planned to continue to work towards deadlines already set and maximise funding opportunities for the benefit of the district and its residents.

Councillor Corney observed that stakeholders within communities are constantly changing and the Panel were advised that officers monitored this regularly. The Panel heard that a summer of engagement was planned to further increase engagement with stakeholders and that further detail on this would be brought to the Panel at a future meeting. The Panel were encouraged to share feedback with officers on identified stakeholders within the communities they represent.

Councillor Cawley questioned why point 11.1 of the report stated that the recently approved Environmental Principles were to be reviewed as these had been agreed to be very robust when approved by the Council only six months prior. The Panel were assured that the administration wished to ensure that the points were as ambitious yet practical as possible and any updates on this matter would flow through the democratic cycle of meetings.

Councillor Gray enquired on the thoughts and priorities of the newly appointed Executive Councillor in moving this body of work forward. The Panel heard that a balance would be struck between delivering new opportunities which aligned with the current administrations principles and maximising advantages and funding of the work already obtained. It was noted that the new Cabinet were grateful to the previous administration for the positive position achieved to date and would build upon this good work.

The Panel praised the report and thanked the officers for their diligence and hard work in bringing these opportunities forward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7