To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects.
Minutes:
The Board received an update on several of the Towns Fund Projects and Programme Management updates from Charles Jarvis, Head of Economic Development, and individual project sponsors.
Cumberland Arena – A number ofissues had been identified regarding the final tender price and an internal project review was required.
The Board were presented with a number of options to progress the Cumberland Area project; to delay the project until further costings had been received, or to value engineer the project to bring it back into the budget envelope of £3.1million with options to value engineer the project to bring it back into the budget envelope. It was noted that the scope of this assessment would focus on the changing rooms and ancillary facilities.
The Board were updated that regardless of the project specification, all funding must be committed by March 2026.
Warm and Healthy Homes – Prior to the Board meeting, members of the Board had met with Cheshire East Council highways officers, and the Chair of the Railway Cottages Residents Association for a site visit. The stopping up order required resolving.
Repurposing Our High Street – The project was forecasting 24 new approvals between now and December 2026, which would deliver 38 of the 42 targeted premises. The project would expect to spend the entirety of the reduced £1.13million budget by December 2026.
History Centre / Public Realm – A breaking ground event was to be rearranged as PR for the History Centre, and also to mark completion of Phase 1 of the project.
TADIC Workspace – The physical works were nearing completion, and it was expected to open from May 2025.
Youth Zone – The project was forecasting a Spring / Summer 2026 completion / opening. Youth Zone were actively recruiting to senior leadership and admin team roles.
Youth Club – The only outstanding issue related to remedial works on Mirion Street which had an additional cost. TR Creative were supporting on PR, including an event opening which would involve young people.
Valley Brook Corridor – The project had been revised following recent feedback. The project would continue with on-road improvements based around the development of a 20mph zone on Alton Street and Electricity Street including the implementation of traffic calming measures to make it safer for pedestrians as well as cyclists, improved surfacing on pavements and carriageway, improved street scene including the introduction of sustainable drainage on Alton Street, and the provision of uncontrolled pedestrian crossings to make it safe for pedestrians to cross Electricity Street and Alton Street.
The project would also continue with off-road improvements for Tipkinder Park, Valley Park, the land southwest of Wistaston Road
It was noted that all improvements were subject to detailed design and obtainment of planning permissions / statutory consent.
Pocket parks – Final designs had been completed for Lime Tree Avenue and Samuel Street. Tree planting and play equipment was due to commence by late March. Design work had commenced for Westminster Street and Valley Brook Pocket Parks. The Westminster Street consultation was expected April – June with works to be completed by December 2025. It was noted that works to combat antisocial behaviour and a strategy to protect the assets were required. The Home Office’s “Hot Spot Policing Fund” had been confirmed for another year to ensure more visible police officers on the ground.
Jubilee Gardens / Wishing Well Project – Cheshire East Council Property were required to advertise the leasing of the facility, but expected that Wishing Well would take on full responsibility for management, maintenance, etc.
Southern Gateway – Main works commenced last summer and were now expected to complete June 2025.
RESOLVED:
The Board agreed that:
Cumberland Arena – The project be value engineered to bring it back within the budget envelope of £3.1million.
Warm and Healthy Homes – A feasibility study be undertaken by Cheshire East Highways at a cost of £8,000 to determine what could and could not be done to improve the public realm and provide feedback to a subsequent Board meeting.
That the updates be noted.