Issue - meetings

Paul Woodcock, Director of Planning and Regeneration, and Simeon Leach, Regeneration Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Planning and Regeneration, setting out the proposed content and timescales for a new all-encompassing strategy for Rotherham town centre that will support and encourage its long-term sustainable regeneration and growth.

The report was supported by a PowerPoint presentation which referred to the following:-

• Town Centre regeneration:-

-          Westgate Demonstrator Project

-          Railway Station

-          Minster Gardens

-          Community Stadium

-          Riverside House

-          Civic Site

-          Markets Re-development

-          Future development sites:-  Weirside;  Forge Island;  Westgate – cessation of national and European funding streams

• National Review of High Streets (launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS))

-          purpose of the review

-          Rotherham represented at the launch

-          challenges in Rotherham

-          local competition

-          shopper profile

-          perceived high vacancy rate

-          limited influence on the market

-          inactive/absent landlords

-          reliance on public sector funding for schemes and projects

·                    Examples of successes in Rotherham:-

-          Business Vitality Grants Scheme:  number of new businesses created;  target market

-          Shop Local Initiative – also developing a gift card scheme

-          improved appearance of empty shops

-          One Town:- dedicated team with partner agencies working to make the town centre clean, safe and welcoming

·                    Review of High Streets - Future Priorities

-                      public funding for capital and revenue works

-                      rent and rates

-                      car parking

-                      empty properties

-                      planning

Further information about the Review of High Streets is available on www.bis.gov.uk/highstreet.

A questions and answers session ensued covering the following:-

-          access to the Stadium

-          comparative towns in Yorkshire and the varied reasons for the current trading position in town centres

-          press and publicity about Rotherham

-          lighting and security in the town centre

-          use of empty shops

-          creation of an Enterprise Zone:  noting this would be flagged up as part of the review and Rotherham would offer to be a pilot

-          the need for parking close to the shops

-          changing shopping patterns i.e. internet shopping

-          Rotherham’s vibrant night scene

-          the need for an attractive mix of shops suitable for all age groups

Resolved:-  That the Panel notes the report and content of the presentation.