Agenda item

To consider the changes to the Crewe Towns Fund budget proposals.

The Committee considered the report which sought approval to amend the allocation of external grant funding for projects that formed part of the Crewe town centre regeneration programme, and to cease the Council’s interest in developing the former Flag Lane Baths site for use as an Alternative Provision School and dispose of the property following a marketing exercise.

During consideration of the report reference was made to the need to provide alternative provision schooling if Flag Lane Baths’ proposals were not going ahead and it was reported that officers were working with a Multi Academy Trust to explore alternative sites in Crewe, but no details could be shared at the present time.

The Committee asked about the local community group that had expressed interest in restoring the former swimming baths and in response officers stated that they had met with the group a number of times and explained to them that the Council need to follow a proper competitive process and that a marketing exercise would take place to ensure best value for the site. Any agree sale of the site would include safeguards to ensure that the site was actively used and not left derelict.

Reference was made to the unallocated Towns Fund grant money, and it was asked if this could be redirected to rural bus service for children. It was explained that as this was capital funding and not revenue funding it could not be redirected.  The Youth Zone was however exploring transport options for young people.

It was asked if the art deco frontage of Flag Lane Baths could be protected in any redevelopment and in response it was stated that too many restrictive conditions could undermine viability of the site or affect best value.  The Council was not advocating demolition, and any decision would depend on submitted plans.  The previous proposal for the site had proposed to retain the whole structure but this had stalled due to rising post-pandemic construction costs.

In response to a question on the cost of maintaining the building, officers undertook to circulate this to the committee and stated that the costs include security, rates and general maintenance.

RESOLVED (by majority):  That the Committee

1               approve the following changes to Towns Fund project capital grant allocations:

a)    reduce the allocation for Valley Brook Green Corridor by up to £1.25m from £3.339m to £2.089m;

b)    increase the allocation for Cumberland Arena by £0.519m from £3.093m to £3.612m;

c)    increase the allocation for Warm & Healthy Homes by up to £0.207m from £2.126m to £2.333m;

d)    increase the allocation for Repurposing Our High Streets by up to £0.02m from £1.132m to £1.152m;

e)    increase the allocation for Crewe YouthZone by £0.318m from £5.830m to £6.148m, noting that this comprises an increase of £0.28m for Crewe YouthZone (‘The Dome’) at Oak Street from £4.639m to £4.919m and an increase of £0.038m for Crewe Youth Club at Mirion Street from £1.19m to £1.228m.

2               approve adjustments to the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) that reflect the recommendations above and note there is no net impact on the MTFS.

3               authorise any necessary amendments to grant agreements and contracts to reflect the budgetary changes proposed.

4               note that £0.186m Towns Fund grant remains unallocated at present and is to be managed as a programme-level contingency budget.

5               delegate authority to the Executive Director Place and the Executive Director Resources (S151 Officer) to:

a)    approve any future reallocation of Towns Fund budgets between existing Towns Fund projects, and the associated adjustments to the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, subject to the recommendations of Crewe Town Board and the approval limits within the council’s Constitution.

b) note that any future reallocations taken under a) be reported to the subsequent meeting of Economy & Growth Committee and/or Cabinet, as appropriate.

6           note that plans for the development of an Alternative Provision School at the former Flag Lane Baths are not being progressed and delegate authority to the Head of Estates to undertake a marketing exercise to identify potential uses and developers, and subsequently to dispose of the property.