Issue - meetings

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

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet has noted the contents of the report and delivery progress concerning the Market Towns Programme for Winter 2024 and related activities.

See Members’ Interests.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which provided an update on activity across all strands of the Market Town Programme.

The Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing delivered a comprehensive update on all strands of the Market Towns Programme which included the Ramsey Town Centre enhancement, Cattle Market Living Wall in St Ives, Cromwell Museum expansion in Huntingdon, Shop Front Grant Scheme and Digital Information Screens across all Market Towns. He then went on to report upon the various projects being undertaken in St Neots which included the Priory Centre, Energy Feasibility Study, Old Falcon, Town Centre Improvements, Performance Stage and Public Art.

Attention was then drawn to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) where much discussion had been held on the provision of a stage within St Neots Market Square and the revised plans for the Priory Centre, together with the ongoing discussions that were being held around the lease for the building.

Executive Members commended the work which had been undertaken to complete the first half of the St Neots Market Square, with new bedding and revised positioning of the monk statues. Reference was also made to the high quality of the work undertaken by Taylor Woodrow, the contractors appointed to complete the works. In response to a question which had been raised by the Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce, it was confirmed that plans for a celebratory event to mark the completion of the Market Square project had not yet been considered but that he would be happy to receive any suggestions outside of the meeting.

Whilst there had been some negativity expressed around the design of the Market Square and the delays experienced with the project thus far, Cabinet Members acknowledged the difficult decisions which had to be made and the ongoing financial challenges which remained. Members were of the view that despite this, the project would benefit the residents of St Neots for decades to come. Furthermore, comment had been made by the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance that he was now hearing positive comments about the project from the local community.

Cabinet Members also expressed their support for the projects relating to the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon and the Cattle Market Living Wall in St Ives. Additionally, the Chair commented that it was encouraging to see the tangible outputs that were now being delivered across the Market Towns Programme and that a strong sense of civic pride was now emerging from communities as projects developed.

Having thanked the Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing and Officers for their hard work and efforts to date, it was

RESOLVED

that the contents of the report and delivery progress concerning the Market Towns Programme for Winter 2024 and related activities be received and noted.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Market Towns Programme 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 Update Report was presented to the Panel.

The Panel engaged in considerable debate relating to the provision of a stage within St Neots Market Square. Councillor Chapman was of the opinion that St Neots Town Council had not been consulted about the proposed stage but noted that the responsibility for the stage would lie with them under the proposal within the report. Further concern was expressed that the current proposal would require HDC funding and felt that the legitimacy of the stage project should be established before a financial commitment was made. The Panel also felt that support of the stage in general by residents of St Neots was debatable. It was noted that a current survey asked respondents to choose a preference between three stage designs however there was no option to choose no stage thus implying support for the scheme through completion of the survey which may not be the case. It was also observed that an early consultation on the project in July appeared to have had 25 respondents and felt that due diligence was needed for this capital investment. The Panel were advised that the current survey was to ascertain a preferable option from the three available however further public consultation would be held in the future to establish whether residents would support a stage within the Market Square or not. It was also clarified that funding for the project, should it proceed would come from unspent legacy monies and CIL funding. It was noted that an alternative option for a performance area within the square would be a temporary stage, however this would need to be erected and dismantled and stored whilst not in use. It was assured that formal legal consultation would be undertaken as part of a planning application for a permanent stage should the proposal progress to that point. The Panel further heard that multiple options to generate footfall within the Market Square were being investigated and worked up so that an informed decision could be made on how to proceed with the best interests of residents and local businesses considered.

The Panel also observed that the revised plans for the Priory Centre would involve a space for performances and bands and noted that this would create competition with the proposed Market Square stage which is in close proximity to the Priory Centre. The Panel heard that the intention was to provide the town with multiple options and alternative uses for the spaces and was not intended to create conflict or competition. Further concern was expressed that the renewed lease documents had taken 8 months to prepare and be presented to the St Neots Town Council, however the Town Council was being asked to make a swift decision on their acceptance of the terms. The Panel heard that the Town Council had been asked for their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52