To discuss the Flag Lane Baths project proposals.
Minutes:
The Board received an update on Flag Lane Baths project from Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager.
The Board was updated that the cost of delivering the Phase 1 project had increased significantly and that of the originally assigned £3.935 million, £590,000 had been spent, with approximately so £3.345 million could potentially be reallocated to other projects.
The Board were briefed on a number of possible options for the future of the Flag Lane Baths site:
· Retention of the building “as is”,
· Demolition of all of the Flag Lane Baths building,
· Demolition of most of the Flag Lane Baths building but retaining the original façade / lobby,
· Alternative community uses for the building or cleared / partially cleared site could be sought, and
· Alternative public uses for the building or cleared / partially cleared site could be sought.
In order to facilitate these proposals, the Board would seek to secure £1.2 million – £1.5 million of the Towns Fund Grant to increase the allocation of Crewe Youth Zone. Cheshire East Council would then reallocate released funding from Crewe Youth Zone towards the capital use of delivering the future uses on Flag Lane Baths site.
The Board was updated that engagement with the Department for Education has shown significant interest in developing the site for an Alternative Provision School. With this option Cheshire East Council would be able to make revenue savings, meet the significant requirement for education services within Crewe, and this would have strong synergies with other ongoing projects, however the Board were updated that MHCLG may oppose the substitution of the Towns Fund Grant for Cheshire East Council funding, there is significant community and heritage value to the site, and any future use relies on a large number of independent decisions.
The Board discussed options for the reallocation of any released funds. The projects deemed most in need of any further available funding were:
· YouthZone at Oak Street,
· YouthZone at Mirion Street,
· Mill Street Corridor,
· History Centre Public Realm,
· Pocket Parks, and
· Cumberland Arena.
RESOLVED
The Board resolved to:
· Formally withdraw Towns Fund and Town Board support for the Flag Lane Baths project and request that Cheshire East Council terminates its Grant Offer Letter with the Always Ahead charity, subject to the payment of any reasonable costs incurred by the charity that have been incurred since the previous payment.
· Endorse proposals outlined for Cheshire East Council to enter in Heads of Terms with the Department for Education to progress with an option to utilise the site for an Alternative Provision School, relating to the future use of the Flag Lane Baths and, in support of that, agree to seek Cheshire East Council and MHCLG approval to reallocate of £1,353,000 Towns Fund grant to the Crewe YouthZone (Oak St) project, on the basis that this releases Cheshire East Council capital funding that can be used to support future uses at the Flag Lane Baths site, with every effort to be made to maintain building heritage.
· Request on-going communications with stakeholders and residents.
· Note that Cheshire East Council has primary responsibility in delivering a future use for the Flag Lane Baths site.
· Agree to seek Cheshire East Council and MHCLG approval to reallocate other Towns Fund grant in line with Table 1, summarised as:
· YouthZone (Mirion Street) - £458,000
· Mill Street Corridor - £433,000
· History Centre Public Realm - £200,000
· Pocket Parks - £200,000
· Cumberland Arena - £701,000
Sally Hepton and Peter Skates left the meeting at approximately 10:30.