Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

1.          Cabinet approves the implementation work of Town Centre public realm improvements on Effingham Street and Howard Street (Phase 2) and Upper Millgate and Forge Island Riverside Gardens (Phase 3) utilising secured grant funding as part of the Councils Future High Streets Fund bid.

2.          Cabinet approves the design works for Market Square, Upper Howard Street, Drummond Street and Eastwood Lane (Phase 4) utilising secured grant funding as part of the Council Future High Street Fund bid as part of the overall Market Redevelopment Project.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the delivery of the Town Centre Masterplan and in particular sought approval for the funding and implementation of phases 2, 3 and 4 of the public realm improvements contained in the Town Centre Masterplan.

Significant progress had been made with several key projects included in the Town Centre Masterplan. A cinema operator had been secured for the Forge Island site and the first phase of flood works had been carried out. Further work was due to commence in Summer 2021. The redevelopment of Rotherham Markets, including the relocation of the Central Library had had concept designs prepared and funding had been secured via the Future High Street Fund with works programmed to commence in 2022. Good progress had been made on the key aim of reintroducing a resident population to the town centre. Work was also underway on a package of public realm improvements, particularly between Forge Island and the wider Town Centre. Phase 1 of the scheme had been approved in December 2019 which included the redevelopment of Bridgegate, Frederick Street and College Street which were currently either complete or were in progress.

The map at paragraph 2.1 of the report submitted highlighted the location proposed for improvement as part of the Public Realm Phase 2 scheme, as detailed in Appendix 2.

The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-decision scrutiny process. The Board was fully supportive of the recommendations and requested that all Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be consulted on the number, location and design of the public seating areas contained in the Town Centre Masterplan and that consideration be given to increasing the overall number of trees in the Town Centre.

Resolved: -

(1)  That Cabinet approve the implementation work of Town Centre public realm improvements on Effingham Street and Howard Street (Phase 2) and Upper Millgate and Forge Island Riverside Gardens (Phase 3), utilising secured grant funding as part of the Council’s Future High Streets Fund bid.

(2)  That Cabinet approve the design works for Market Square, Upper Howard Street, Drummond Street and Eastwood Lane (Phase 4) utilising secured grant funding as part of the Council Future High Street Fund bid as part of the Overall Market Redevelopment Project.

(3)  That all Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be consulted on the number, location and design of the public seating areas contained in the Town Centre Masterplan.

(4)  That in addition to protecting established trees and replacing any unhealthy or dying trees, that consideration be given to increasing the overall numbers of trees in the Town Centre.