To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects and to review the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governance Performance Report.
Minutes:
The Board received an update on the Towns Fund projects and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governance’s Performance Report from Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager.
In respect of the Town Funds project, it was reported that:
Towns Fund Reallocation Grant – The Valley Brook Corridor had released funding due to the scope of the project being revised and £736,000 was now available for reallocation to other Towns Fund projects. As the grant funding had to be spent by March 2028, the Chair requested that reallocation proposals be brought back to the next meeting.
Repurposing Our High Street Grant Scheme – 34 grant applications had been approved with four pending.
Royal Arcade “Meanwhile Use” – The project was targeting a completion date of late May for the hardstanding, followed by the grassed areas in June but this was weather dependent.
Cheshire Archives – The project had been delayed due to additional works being identified. In respect of the use of the Ice Cream Van, now being operated by Cheshire College South & West, it was requested that Board Members discuss how best to utilise this asset for different events.
TADIC – It was noted that the building is now operated by Town Square Spaces Ltd and an official launch event was proposed for 23 June 2026, which Board Members would be invited to attend.
Cumberland Arena – The main works were nearing completion and funding was in place for the remainder of the project, however the completion date had been pushed back to August due to additional third party works being required to be undertaken during school holidays.
The Dome Youth Zone – A live recruitment campaign for 80 positions was to be held at the Market Hall on Friday 15 May, in advance of an expected opening date of September/October 2026.
Pocket Parks – Works would commence at Westminster Street next week, for completion and official opening in August as part of Crewe Town Council’s summer programme. Items for the pocket park at Valley Park had been ordered for installation over the summer with a potential combined opening event with the Valley Brook Corridor Project planned for later in the year.
Jubilee Site / Wishing Well MUGA – Planning consent was now in place, but some pre-conditions would need to be satisfied around biodiversity net gain, which would see the contingency budget being absorbed, presenting a new financial risk.
Mill Street Corridor – Phase 2a had been partially completed and would be opened in conjunction with the Southern Gateway and Meanwhile space when completed. Due to voids being discovered during phase 2a works, phase 2b could no longer commence as planned due to insufficient funding and other options were being reviewed.
Warm and Healthy Homes – As part of the works to relay paving, Highways would be removing trees imminently. Grant scheme rules had been approved by the council. It was reported that 52 out of 65 residents have responded to the survey, which was being used to further inform plans. Expressions of interest had been received for the works and tenders would be evaluated over the coming weeks. Due to cost inflation it was expected that there would be no contingency budget to cover any further cost increases.
Valley Brook Corridor – The majority of works would be completed in September, followed by flood risk works after that. The proposed highways improvements had been withdrawn from the project as it was not affordable and had not received support from residents, the focus would now turn towards green space.
It was noted that the following projects would complete/open in 2026:
· Mill Street Corridor & Southern Gateway
· Royal Arcade ‘Meanwhile Use’ grassed and non-grassed areas
· TADIC
· Cumberland Arena
· Westminster Street Pocket Park
· Valley Park Pocket Park
· Jubilee MUGA
· The Dome Youth Zone
· Valley Brook Green Corridor
In respect of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governance’s Performance Report, it was noted that a report had not needed to be submitted for 12 months, and MHCLG now has new format and processes for reporting.
It was suggested that there was a need for a ‘Celebration for Crewe’ event to be held to raise awareness of the projects coming to fruition, the changing landscape in the town, and the aspirations of the city plan.
As Crewe Town Council was preparing to hold a Crewe Day on 4 July 2026, it was proposed that a communications plan/toolkit be created to promote key messages/highlight projects opening later in the year and create a single brand for the town.
RESOLVED:
That the updates be noted.