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 Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager, and individual project sponsors.
The Board were updated that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government had merged the Towns Fund with other government funding programmes which were now collectively known as the “Local Regeneration Fund”. In addition to this, the grant could now be spent up to 31 March 2028, and had a tolerance to allow for more flexibility for local decisions around revising KPIs and any reallocation of funding between projects, as PARs no longer needed to be approved by government, providing that the projects still represented value for money. There was also a change to the reporting systems, and changing to reporting systems, with no additional reports required for April – September 2025.
Repurposing Our High Street Grant Scheme – So far 26 applications had been approved, and since the previous meeting four new business had opened in town centre, one more opening in December 2025, and another in January 2026.
Cheshire Archives – Insulation and cladding work was underway, with glass panels currently being installed. A small budget pressure had been identified which may require additional funding. The ice cream van wrapping and rebranding element of the project was now in progress.
Youth Zone – The project was forecasting summer 2026 completion, with a 12-week fit out to following, with occupation in September / October 2026. The Youth Investment Fund had now been fully spent, so the Towns Fund Grant was now being drawn down and would be spent by March 2026, followed by Cheshire East Council’s contribution.
Cumberland Arena – The project was expected to be watertight by mid-December 2205. Options for the redevelopment of changing facilities and potential for upgrade of athletics track were being explored.
Valley Brook Corridor – Cheshire East Council’s Environmental Commissioning had engaged in the design and costing the off-road work to include synergies with the Valley Brook Pocket Park Project. It was not evident that on-highway works were affordable within the budget or current time frame, so the budget would focus on works within the park areas.
Pocket Parks – The Samuel Street Pocket Park officially opened on 4 November 2025, and a media release was issued on 6 November 2025. The tenders for the play equipment at the final two pocket parks at Westminster Street and Valley Brook were being evaluated, and would likely be installed from January – March 2026, with opening events being panned as part of Crewe Town Council’s summer programme.
Warm And Healthy Homes – The report on the recent CCTV drain survey was being reviewed to identify costs. An engagement session with the resident’s association was held on the 25 November 2025, and sessions with individual property owners would be held in January 2026 regarding the various options for works to their properties. It was noted that some key improvement works were currently out of scope due to cost and risk and other funding opportunities would be explored.
Wishing Well – The drainage strategy had been agreed, and a formal planning decision was expected within the next few weeks.
Ly2 – A Christmas Lights Switch On event was held on 29 November 2025, with further events in the square planned, including the Start of Light on 10 December 2025. Cheshire East Council was to appoint a contractor to curate and animate Ly2.
Mill street corridor – The project was expected to complete in April 2026. It was noted that an updated cost forecast was expected, which would determine the budget available for phase 2b.
Southern Gateway – The project opened on 28 November 2025, and an official opening event was likely to be held in tandem with opening of the Mill Street Corridor.
Royal Arcade Meanwhile Use – The planning consent for the project was now in place. The contract had been finalised with Manchester and Cheshire Construction to undertake the works. The site was to be mobilised in January 2025 and was targeting completion by end of March 2026.
RESOLVED:
That the updates be noted.