To receive an update on the Towns Fund and Accelerated Funding Projects.
Minutes:
The Board received an update from Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager, and individual project sponsors, on several of the Towns Fund Projects and Additional Programme Management updates.
Flag Lane Baths – The Crewe Town Board sub-group had met with the Always Ahead Team. Contractors were in the process of obtaining final costs, with final prices and designs to be made available by 19 April 2024. The sub-group were scheduled to hold a further meeting on 4 May 2024 to check progress once all quotes had been received and analysed.
Crewe Youth Zone – Works were expected to start on site in May 2024 and be completed by August 2025. Consultation with United Utilities was required due to a sewer diversion on High Street. A fundraising strategy was in place to secure funding to support operational costs. A Youth and Community Worker was in post and working actively with young people, and across other related projects. A Chief Executive had been selected and was due to start on 11 March 2024. New trustees being sought, with a closing date for applications of 10 March 2024. Branding work to name the Youth Zone was due to commence and would end with a vote in 2-3 months’ time.
Crewe Youth Club – Additional funding was being sought from the Community Ownership Fund, Garfield Weston, and Cheshire East Council’s Greener Communities Fund. The tender for the main works contact was to be issued mid-March 2024. Works to start on site in May 2024, subject to the satisfaction of pre-commencement of planning conditions. Engagement with Youth Zone’s Youth and Community Worker and Young Peoples’ Group had taken place. Works were expected to be completed by spring 2025.
Mill Street Corridor – The planning application determination was imminent and works were expected to commence in summer 2024.
Way Finding – The first installation was expected outside new Bus Station, and further discussions on additional sites were ongoing.
History Centre Public Realm – The main demolition was underway, however there was a slight delay due to RAAC being uncovered in the building. The new parking spaces and public realm were expected by August 2024.
Lyceum Square – Outstanding works relating to community art, the painting of junctions and lighting scheme were scheduled for April 2024 due to required weather conditions. Installation of the display boards was scheduled for May 2024, and additional artwork in May / June 2024. It was proposed to provide a rolling presentation of the Crewe regeneration works on the screen. Parking Enforcement Officers were patrolling the area daily.
Pocket Parks – Works were well advanced on the first four parks, with completion by April 2024, and the first “opening event” to take place on 3 April 2024. The development of “Friends of…” groups underway to help maintain the pocket parks.
Valley Brook Green Corridor – The first phase of river works had commenced.
Jubilee Project – A designer had been appointed for the plans for the site and was to undertake consultation with residents.
Royal Arcade Phase 1 – Completion was expected by May 2024, with a launch and PR campaign to be launched.
Royal Arcade Phase 2 – Cheshire East Council was open to approaches for permanent development on part / all of the site and had recently had discussions with a number of parties with a potential interest in the site. The Board noted the importance of the Royal Arcade Phase 2 site, and the importance of developing the site and securing investment. The Board expressed the view that a solution was required for the vacant site to prevent the Town Centre remaining as a building site and detracting from the success of Phase 1.
Southern Gateway – The main works were expected to commence by April 2024.
Repurposing Our High Streets – One new café and one new restaurant were expected to start trading in April 2024, and seven additional applications in process. Cheshire East Council received an invitation for Crewe to be a “trailblazer” for the government’s High Street Rental Auctions initiative. Marketing activity was underway with the launch of free-standing website www.openincrewe.co.uk.
RESOLVED:
That the updates be noted.