Issue - meetings

To receive an update on activity across the strands of the Market Town Programme, including an update on funding opportunities.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet has

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

b)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place) in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to submit proposals to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) to fully utilise unallocated CPCA Accelerated Programme funding ensuring the Huntingdonshire allocation is fully utilised by March 2024, subject to CPCA Board approval.  

A report by the Corporate Director (Place) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) providing an update on activity across the strands of the Market Towns Programme, which includes updates on funding opportunities, activity on the St Neots Fund Future High Street highways related projects, engagement carried out regarding the wider draft masterplans for St Ives, Ramsey and Huntingdon and the imminent external funding opportunities.

By way of background, the Cabinet were informed by the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing that consultations on the masterplans for Huntingdon, St Ives and Ramsey had extended into November without causing any delay to the programme. Responses received were in the process of being reviewed by Officers. The comments received for Huntingdon and Ramsey had been reviewed to date but that owing to the volume and nature of comments received for St Ives work was continuing to be undertaken in this respect. In his introduction, the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing also referred to the considerable progress which had been made in St Neots with regard to highways related projects and the close working practices which had been adopted with St Neots Town Council in respect of the Priory Centre. He also referred to the submission of a bid to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s Local Growth Fund which sought £1.15m capital funding for a project seeking to innovate and revitalise the Great Whyte area of Ramsey. Finally, he drew the Cabinet’s attention to the latest developments with the Wayfinding Project, a scheme which was currently being recommenced as to how best to develop and deliver this programme. Assurances had been delivered to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) that no firm decisions had yet been made but that its feasibility and options were only currently being explored at this stage.

Matters that were discussed by the Cabinet included the Town Council’s investigations into the purchase of the neighbouring Oast Lounge and its impact upon the Priory Centre project which was designed to complement the work being undertaken and the position with the Wayfinding Project. In terms of the latter, Cabinet Members were supportive of the recommencement of the scheme. Whereupon, the Cabinet 

RESOLVED 

a)  to note progress on the Market Towns Programme (MTP) over the last quarter; and

b)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to submit proposals to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) to fully utilise unallocated CPCA Accelerated Programme funding ensuring the Huntingdonshire allocation is fully utilised by March 2024, subject to CPCA Board approval. 

The Market Towns Programme Winter 2022 Update is to be presented to the Panel.

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

Following an enquiry from Councillor Pickering on the Wayfinding project, who expressed concerns that the project may become a white elephant, the Panel heard that the project was one of the last remaining accelerated projects and is linked to other planned projects allowing cohesion between multiple schemes. It was further stressed that the Joint Administration felt merit in continuing this project whilst also extending the project to include St Neots, it was felt that the project would help provide useful signposting for residents and visitors whilst providing each town with its own brand. Councillor Pickering further enquired about anticipated maintenance costs which may be associated with the project in the medium to long term and the Panel were advised that partnership working and advertising revenue would be sought to fund anticipated costs. Councillor Harvey observed that Huntingdon had previously had digital signage which had often been broken, and further questioned what appetite there was for such a board given the use of smart phones. Councillor Gardener agreed with the comments made by other Panel members and suggested that the funding could be spent on other matters given the current economic climate. The Panel heard that the previous administration had shelved the Wayfinding project but that the Joint Administration felt the project had value and had thereby reinstated it.

Councillor Corney requested clarification surrounding the various funding pots available for the projects identified in Ramsey and the Panel heard that the intention was to combine the funding available to give the projects the best opportunity to succeed.

Councillor Wells thanked Officers for their support with the work in St Ives, and requested updated timescales following the consultation extension. The Panel heard that the deadline had been extended to allow for the received responses to be given full consideration. It was further advised that minimal amends were anticipated for Ramsey and Huntingdon but amends were expected for St Ives to incorporate further information following the analysis of the responses.

Councillor Gardener observed that due to the number of feasibility studies having been undertaken in St Neots recently, the available funding could have been impacted and thereby not able to fulfil what originally hoped.

Following questions from Councillor Gardener, the Panel heard that the Council were working closely with St Neots Town Council to ensure cohesion between the Priory Centre project and the potential purchase of the Oast House property by St Neots Town Council.

Councillor Gray observed the tight deadlines for the Priory Centre project and queried the confidence of the administration in delivering the project on time. The Panel were advised that the project would be focusing on realistic deliverables and the team had established working relationships with partners to ensure funding was secure and not jeopardised.

Following the discussion, the Panel observed that whilst they were generally in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46