Agenda item

Cabinet Portfolio: - Jobs and the Local Economy

Strategic Directorate: - Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 19 October 2020 in respect of the Towns Fund – Town Investment Plan.

The Assistant Director for Planning - Regeneration and Transport attended the meeting to present the report.

The Assistant Director for Planning, Regeneration and Transport advised that the Town Deal was a £3.6bn programme seeking to “unleash the economic potential” of 100 places across the country, with Rotherham having been given the opportunity to bid for up to £25million through the programme. It was noted further that the government had advised that bids of up to £50m would be considered in exceptional circumstances for the most ambitious and credible projects. The report stated that the fund would focus investment on three main areas of activity, urban regeneration, skills and enterprise and infrastructure, and that the ‘bid’ for funding would be a Town Investment Plan.

The Assistant Director advised that a requirement for participation in the Town Deal programme had been for the Council to set up an overarching Town Deal Board, and that as such, a board had been established in January 2020. The Assistant Director noted that the Town Deal Board served both as an advisory body and also enabled the vision and strategy for the town to be defined in order for the Town Investment Plan to be produced.

The Assistant Director advised that the Town Deal would be an agreement in principle between government, the Council and the Town Deal Board that would set out a vision and strategy for the town, detailing the underlying interventions needed to achieve the vision being set out in the Town Investment Plan. It was noted that the Town Investment Plan would be a long-term strategic plan for the town and that it would also set out a vision for Rotherham with a clear strategy and direction for the economic turnaround of the town over a decade.

The Assistant Director advised that the Town Deal study area included Eastwood, Templeborough and the town centre. The report provided information on the type of schemes that were being considered for each area that included:

Eastwood

·       Upgraded link to Parkgate

·       Improved connectivity at St Anne's roundabout

·       Environmental improvements at Fitzwilliam Rd

·       a New housing development at York Rd Netherfield Court and other areas Refurbishment of selected properties and landscape improvements

Templeborough

·       Urban Agriculture

·       Business park and innovation centre

·       Bridge link to Blackburn Meadows

·       Connectivity improvements to Sheffield Rd, Ickles Roundabout and Bessemer Way Route cleaning and maintenance

·       Improved wayfinding and signage 

Central and Town centre

·       Linked water side development sites for residential and supporting uses to create a Riverside community

·       Outdoor green spaces, squares and water to support, leisure, evening and food and drink diversification

·       Improvements for retail

·       Gateway improvements.

A full list of proposed schemes was attached as an appendix to the officer’s report. The Assistant Director advised that the final list of proposed schemes contained in the Town Investment Plan would be determined following further consultation, planning and development work.

Members welcomed the proposals contained in the Town Investment Plan. Members noted with approval the number of proposed crossings over the River Don that would be created for pedestrian and cycle use as the proposed crossings would increase accessibility to the town centre and link into the other town centre development schemes that the council was pursuing.

Members noted that there was a lack of detail in the report regarding the projects. The Assistant Director advised that Plan was currently a work in progress and that the plans would be developed further by the Town Deal Board, who would also consider which projects were included in the final bid.

Members asked that as some considered that pedestrianised areas could have a negative impact on businesses in town centres, whether there were any plans to open up more roads for vehicle access. The Assistant Director advised that the Town Centre Plan did not include any such proposals but noted that pedestrianised areas and vehicle access issues were being looked at and would be addressed in other potential schemes.

Members asked for assurance that full consultation on the proposals was taking place. The Assistant Director advised that due to restrictions related to the pandemic traditional methods of consultation had difficult to facilitate, but assured members that consultation activity was taking place and that the Town Deal Board was playing an active role in engaging with the groups that it’s members represented on the proposals detailed in the Town Centre Plan. The Chair asked whether consultation on the proposals had taken place with ward members for the areas included in the proposals. The Assistant Director advised that some consultation had taken place and that further consultation would take place as the plans were developed further.

Members asked if there was a back up plan to move some of the proposals forward if the bid was not successful. The Assistant Director advised that contingency plans were in place that would enable alternate or amended improvements to be implemented for the designated areas.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for Planning, Regeneration and Transport for attending the meeting and for answering members’ questions.

Resolved: -

That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.