Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the Market Towns Programme.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

See Minute No. 22/81 – Members’ Interests.

A report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager 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.

The Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing provided some background to the recommendations proposed within the report and took the opportunity to remind the Cabinet of the history to the Wayfinding (Digital Information System) project, drawing particular attention to paragraph 2.37 of the report.

Having had their attention drawn to the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) and in thanking the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing for the newsletter which had been produced to highlight, promote and support the work of the Market Towns Programme, it was

RESOLVED

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

(b)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) or the Managing Director in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing and Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources to enter contractual arrangements, as necessary, to facilitate the completion of the St Neots Market Square renewal project; and

(c)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) or the Managing Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing to approve initiation of the Wayfinding (Digital Information System) project, or alternatively return the funding allocation to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority as per the requirements of the Accelerated Projects Funding Agreement.

(Councillor B M Pitt abstained from voting on this item).

The Panel is invited to comment on the Market Town’s Programme Spring Update.

By means of a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Market Towns Programme Spring Update was presented to the Panel.

During its deliberations on the report the Panel focussed on St Neots Market Square. In response to a question from Councillor Gardener on whether the Panel will be consulted on the detailed design of the Market Square, Members have been advised that any such input will be through the local consultation process over the coming months. Following a further question from Councillor Corney, Members have sought assurances that the stakeholder database is fit for its purpose and any engagement is on the final iteration of the design.

Councillor Gray requested that any projects that are amber or red are reported to future meetings.

Following a question from Councillor Harvey regarding the Wayfinder project, the Panel heard that there would be an informal briefing to members in the coming months with potential for a more formal report into the democratic cycle should there be sufficient time and appetite for this.

It was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations contained within the report.