Agenda item

The Panel is invited to comment on the Spring Update of the Market Towns Programme.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford

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

Councillor Pickering expressed concern that the Priory Centre had been closed for six months to date and that the project was yet to get underway. The Panel were assured that the project was progressing and that the closure of the building had allowed for more intensive pre project work and surveys to be undertaken, it was further noted that the building work project would take a year to complete once underway. 

It was noted, following a question from Councillor Pickering, that project progress would first be shared with St Neots Town Council and local ward members as local stakeholders prior to being shared via the democratic meeting cycle. 

The Panel heard, following comments from Councillor Chapman, that the installation of an electrical box on the St Neots Market Square had been necessary to update the electrics for the Square and to maximise it’s potential within the development, it was noted that the box would be landscaped in order to blend with the street scene as the project neared completion. It was also noted that the scheme did not involve excessive bollards to prevent car parking in order to maintain accessibility and maximise opportunities within the development. Illegal car parking in the square was not anticipated to be an issue due to the anticipated implementation of parking enforcement. It was observed that both of these designs were included within the plans for the development. 

In response to a question from Councillor Corney, the Panel heard that Cambridgeshire County Council would be consulted as part of the planning process for the Ramsey project and that this approach had provided a collaborative result in previous projects. 

In response to a question from Councillor Pitt, the Panel heard that discussions were ongoing with Ramsey Town Council over the management of the shop in a box units. The Panel also heard, following questions from Councillor Gleadow and Councillor Pit that an exit strategy was built into the digital screen project from the beginning and that funding for this was built into the project, there would also be opportunities to transfer the maintenance and ownership of the screens to town Councils should they wish to and that relevant costs would be provided should they be interested further down the line.  Full details on the cost of the current maintenance and operation of the screens would be relayed to the Panel

in due course.

The Panel heard, following questions from Councillor Pitt, that a communication plan was in place for the Old Falcon project but that it would be flexible to react to the project as it got underway, the Panel was assured that key elements had been, and would continue to be shared with ward members. It was also noted that briefings with ward members could be reinstated if needed. 

It was observed by Councillor Pitt and Councillor Chapman that funding for the Priory Centre project had only recently been approved by St Neots Town Council and that they were concerned that the success of the scheme was reliant on this contribution, the Panel heard that the project could have been adjusted to ensure it fell within budget. 

The Panel were assured, following a question from Councillor Pickering, that money for the Shopfront Grants scheme would only be paid upon the completion of a project.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to consider the comments from Overview and Scrutiny when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report.