Issue - meetings

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

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet has noted progress regarding the projects as part of the Market Towns Programme over Quarter 1 of 2023/24.

See Minute No. 23/12 – 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 for Quarter 1 of 2023/24.

The Executive Councillor for Jobs, Economy & Housing reported upon progress with town centre improvements in St Neots with completion of the final designs and procurement of a contractor for work to commence early Autumn.

Having referred to comments raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) at their meeting on 7th June 2023 specifically in relation to the communications plan being developed to inform St Neots residents on the planned works to trees in the Market Square, the Executive Councillor explained that a wider explanation would be provided as to the rationale behind the removal and replacement of the trees as part of the
re-development of the town centre.

Attention was also drawn to the appointment of AOC as architect and technical advisors for the refurbishment of the Priory Centre, St Neots and Members were also appraised with further detail on the re-allocation of expenditure from the CPCA for new project proposals and the rebranding of the Masterplans for Huntingdon, St Ives and Ramsey as Vision documents.

Having had their attention drawn to the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) including the communications plan on the tree removal and a further update on the Old Falcon property would be re-visited as part of the next quarterly report as a private session.

Arising from questions from Members on the timescale of availability to the public of the final design of the Market Square and High Street in St Neots, the Executive Councillor reported that final discussions were being held with St Neots Town Council as key stakeholders in the project to ensure they were aware before wider public communication to be delivered within a few weeks. Discussion also ensued on the tender process for the redevelopment of the Priory Centre and incorporation of the CPCA legacy funding projects with the town centre improvements and encouragement to re-establish the relationship for residents of St Neots and surrounding areas with the town centre. Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to note progress of the projects as part of the Market Towns Programme for Quarter 1 of 2023/24.

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

The Panel is to receive the Market Towns Programme – Summer Update Report.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford

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 2022/2023 was presented to the Panel.

The Chair thanked the Officer for the opportunity given to Panel Members to view detail plans for the St Neots Town Centre proposal, which had been extremely informative and helpful.

In response to concerns from Councillor Gardener, the Panel heard that a communications plan would be developed to ensure St Neots residents were proactively communicated with regarding the planned works to trees in the Market Square. Councillor Harvey’s suggestion of using the old wood as part of the planning art projects for the areas was noted. Following a further question from Councillor Jennings, the Panel were advised that the County Council would be making a contribution towards the cost of the removal of the trees and that there was a working assumption that the replacement trees would remain the liability of the County Council.

Following a question from Councillor Pickering, the Panel were advised that plans were progressing in respect of the Old Falcon property and that more detail would be brought to a future report.

In response to questions from Councillor Martin around capital funding in section 2.39 of the report, the Panel heard that the two projects had been chosen due to the timescales and availability of funding available.

Following an observation from Councillor Wells, who praised the amended terminology from Masterplan, the Panel heard that the aim was to clear up confusion surrounding the terminology and to allow for clarity moving forward.

The Panel heard, in response to a question from Councillor Martin, that all funding opportunities would be maximised and that delays in procurement were due to managing both material cost and availability, resulting in a deliverable scheme. The Panel were further assured that the Council would benefit from the Eastern Highways Alliance Framework ensuring deliverability.

Councillor Blackwell expressed concerns over the continuation of the Digital Wayfinding project, following which, the Panel were assured that the project and the installed machines would continue to be monitored with an exit strategy contingency should this prove necessary. The Panel were further assured that whilst decisions could be made on this project outside of the democratic meeting cycle, the Cabinet would, where feasible, seek to loop the Panel in to the decision.

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.