To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects.
Minutes:
The Board received an update on several of the Towns Fund Projects and Additional Programme Management updates from Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager, and individual project sponsors.
The Board were updated that, following MHCLG’s indication that requests could be made for extensions to the Town’s Fund grant, related to extensions of time for “non-contracted” expenditure, Cheshire East Council was invited to submit requests, and MHCLG had confirmed that Cheshire East Council’s request for £1,893,000 to be rolled into 2026 / 2027 had been approved.
Repurposing Our High Streets – A total of 11 businesses were now open in Crewe as a result of the scheme, with 7 further applications pending. New case study videos were now online, including Total Tile and Big Mugs, with ABC Nursey to follow.
History Centre and Public Realm – The replacement surface car park would be open from March 2025 and the ice cream van element was progressing with Cheshire College South and West. The new History Centre construction commenced in January 2025.
Youth Zone – The publicised discovery of “former chapel” at the site was expected and archaeological expertise had been part of this phase of the project. BT Openreach were due to complete their delayed works in early February 2025 and United Utilities sewer diversion work had been agreed, but needed to be confirmed to avoid conflict with the Southern Gateway project. The identification of coal tar was likely to delay the construction period. NWF were the latest founder patron. The project was forecast to complete by February 2026.
Crewe Youth Club – Theroof and solar panels were being put in place. It was expected to open in Spring 2025.
Cumberland Arena – Issues with the substation had caused some delays.
Warm and Healthy Homes – A total of 43 of 65 properties had signed up. The RIBA stage 3 had now been completed and works would focus on windows and buildingfabric.
Southern Gateway – The project was now expected to complete in April 2025.
Royal Arcade – Previous plans had been redesigned to create an open grassed area with a timber knee-rail fence and footpath and hardstanding which could accommodate a range of meanwhile uses, which could be delivered by a range of partners. The next phase of the project would be delivered in a two-phase approach between February 2025 and October 2025.
*Mill Street Corridor – Phase 2a of the project commenced in January 2025, with relocation of the site compound to the Railway Street car park. A new crossing arrangement which had been planned for the Nantwich Road Bridge would not be implemented at this time. The loss of any trees would be mitigated with the planting of new trees and significant other greening along the route. Comms to residents would be issued.
*Pocket Parks – Lime Tree Avenue and Samuel Street Pocket Parks’ play equipment would be installed in April and May 2025.
*Jubilee / Wishing Well Project – There had been some design revisions following consultation responses and works were planned to start on site in early 2025, with completion by Summer 2025.
*Projects not funding through the Towns Fund.
RESOLVED:
That the updates be noted.