Issue - meetings

To receive an update on activity across the strands of the Market Town Programme.

Please note: Appendix 1 of the report is restricted.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet has noted

(a)  progress on the Market Towns Programme over the last quarter;

(b)  that reports would be brought back to Cabinet on a quarterly basis updating on any contracts that have been entered into through the previous Cabinet delegation; and

(c)  the latest update on the Market Towns Programme finances and resources. 

Due to the reasons contained within the report and having obtained the agreement of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), this item of business was considered under the Special Urgency Provisions - Section 16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules, as contained in the Council’s Constitution, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

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 reported that a series of consultation and engagements events were being undertaken and that a new team was now in place to help deliver this work with a Programme Manager due to commence in post from October 2022. The engagement events encouraged local members to recognise the need for productive plans to be worked up to the benefit of local communities. He then drew the Cabinet’s attention to the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) where it was noted that recordings of sessions would be sent to Town and Parish Clerks.

The Executive Councillor for Community and Health commented that he would like to see the resurrection of the Wayfinding Project and encouraged the Cabinet to be mindful of the way messages were delivered to the community which often frustrated the public rather than the content of the message itself. He went on to state that this often left communities feeling that they had not been consulted upon. In discussing signage across the Market Towns, it was noted that efficiencies would be identified as part of this work.

The Managing Director then made comment upon the need for the Council to be mindful of ongoing revenue costs associated with projects and the need to work in partnership with local communities and partners to ensure effective delivery of projects.

In welcoming the Local Growth Fund Bid for Ramsey Great Whyte Enhancements and in response to a question raised by the Executive Councillor for Planning, the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy and Housing reported that a decision from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was expected in October 2022.

Having acknowledged the apprehension which existed amongst some communities over the proposed plans, the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy and Housing reported that he would continue to engage with such communities and was due to attend a meeting with Ramsey Town Council the following week.

Having expressed their wish to discuss the content of Appendix 1 (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book), the Cabinet agreed to move the meeting into private session. 

The Autumn update of the Market Towns Programme is to be presented to the Panel.

Please note: Appendix 1 of the report is restricted.

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

Following questions from Councillor Pickering and Councillor Gardener, the Panel heard that the options being developed for the St Neots Priory Quarter were merely adding detail to the work already undertaken.  The Panel were further assured that the team were using all previous studies available to them and were not seeking to redo previously undertaken work but to add detail to it and to ensure that it reflected current market rates in a rapidly changing economic climate.

The Chair requested, following comments from several Councillors, that details of additional costs incurred by the consultancy work at St Neots, be included in the next update of the Market Towns Programme.

In response to a question from Councillor Corney, the Panel were advised that the outcome of the application for the CPCA Local Growth Fund for funding for Ramsey was anticipated to be determined within September and that this would be communicated once known.

It was clarified to the Panel that none of the projects had been ready to commence at the change in administration earlier in the year and that the detailed work now being carried out had been anticipated.

Following further questions from Councillor Corney and Councillor Martin, it was clarified that the work in the four market towns was specific to each town and that further consultations would be carried out where appropriate for specific projects.

Councillor Howell observed that the plans published on the website were not easily accessed. The Panel heard that hard copies would be displayed in public buildings within towns, the Panel were also advised that the team were agreeable to any further suggestions of additional suitable areas for this.

Councillor Harvey expressed concern that despite the work being done by the team, funding may become unavailable due to the economic climate. The Panel were reassured that by undertaking research and planning, projects would be ready to start as and when funding is secured. Although funding is subject to availability, it was hoped that it would continue to be available in the long term.

Following questions from Councillor Wells and Councillor Gardener, the Panel heard that that the team would be liaising with both town and parish councils to maximise communications channels.

The Panel heard, following a question from Councillor Pickering, that options for the Old Falcon premises in St Neots were being developed and that a paper would be brought into the democratic cycle of meetings in the Autumn.

Having welcomed the report, it was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to endorse the recommendations within the report.