Agenda and minutes

Crewe Town Board - Friday, 7th June, 2024 9.30 am

Venue: Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams. View directions

Contact: Sam Jones  Tel: 01270 686643 Email: samuel.jones@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence (1 Minute)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Simon Yates, Martin Wood, Elliot Grimshaw, Georgia Millership and Rhiannon Hilton.

 

It was noted that the Chair had written to Dr Kieran Mullan on behalf of the Board to thank him for contribution to Crewe Town Board during his time as MP.

2.

Declarations of Interest (1 Minute)

To receive any declarations of interest.

Minutes:

There were no new or updated Declarations of Interest, other than those already on file.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Minutes of Previous meeting (3 Minutes) pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous virtual meetings held on 3rd May 2024 and 17th May 2024.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd May 2024 and 17th May 2024 be approved as a correct record.

4.

Towns Fund Performance Update (60 Minutes)

To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects.

Minutes:

The Board received an update on several of the Towns Fund Projects and Additional Programme Management updates from Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager, and individual project sponsors.

 

The Board was updated that the Department of Levelling Up Housing & Communities had approved the Project Adjustment Request which was discussed at the Crewe Town Board meeting of 3 May 2024, and that the Towns Fund six-monthly performance report, which was discussed at the Crewe Town Board meeting of 17 May 2024, covering the period from September 2023 – March 2024, had been submitted to the Department of Levelling Up Housing & Communities.

 

Crewe Youth Zone – The Pre-Construction Services Agreement was in place with Caddick Construction and the Stopping Up Order had been approved and notices erected. The lease, agreement for lease, grant agreement and operation agreement between Cheshire East Council and Crewe Youth Zone / Onside had been agreed, however there were continued issues with relation to utility companies. The Oak Street carpark closure process was now underway and was expected to be completed by 28 June 2024, when it would be given over to Onside. Comms / PR were being planned around the groundbreaking event. Engagement with schools would take place prior to 2024 summer holidays.

 

Mill Street Corridor – Detailed designs were being developed and Cheshire East Council were seeking out how best to make the most effective use of the project to minimise costs and accelerate delivery.

 

Way Finding – The first installation had been completed outside the new bus station and Multi-Story Car Park, with others scheduled for the Southern Gateway and Mill Street Corridor.

 

Warm and Healthy Homes – A contractor was to be appointed. So far 25 of 65 properties had signed up and the project was aiming to complete by winter 2025.

 

History Centre and Public Realm – The main dismantling and demolition had been completed with construction works for the Public Realm to start on 1 July 2024 and complete in October 2024. The History Centre works were expected to commence in September 2024. By the end of July 2024, outcome of any successful National Lottery or other funding bids would be known.

 

Valley Brook Green Corridor – Finalisation of the route via Utility Street was ongoing. Working with landscape architects, the main works were expected to begin in late 2024, subject to planning permission and co-funding from the Environment Agency.

 

Lyceum Square – Outstanding works related to the lighting and recladding had been delayed but expected to be rectified shortly.

 

Repurposing Our High Streets – Vinyl artwork had been installed on some of the vacant premises, and Cheshire East Council was exploring how to facilitate adaptation of empty premises for “pop-up” uses. The High Street Rental Auction Trailblazer Programme had been delayed due to General Election scheduled for 4 July 2024. The Department of Levelling Up Housing & Communities was interested and supported the High Street Rental Auction Legislation. Several new premises in the town centre have, or will shortly, open – XO  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Strategic Update from Cheshire East Council (15 Minutes)

To receive a Strategic Update from Peter Skates, Acting Executive Director of Place.

Minutes:

The Board received a Strategic Update from Peter Skates, Acting Executive Director of Place and Charles Jarvis, Head of Economic Development on:

 

Budget Reallocation – At the Council’s Economy and Growth Committee on 4 June 2024, the committee resolved to approve the Project Adjustment Request as the accountable body for Crewe Town Board, as discussed at the Crewe Town Board’s 17 May 2024 meeting.

 

Crewe Multi-Story Car Park – The Multi-Storey Car Park was likely to open in late June 2024, however the Council was unable to do publicity until after the election.

 

Royal Arcade Phase 2 – The contractor had been instructed to procure work packages for the project for the footpath, curb realignment and repairs, reseeding of ground surface, and knee rail perimeter fencing, and were working with Crewe Town Council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the updates be noted.

6.

Board Membership (10 Minutes)

To receive an update on Board Membership.

Minutes:

The Board received an update on Board Membership from Charles Jarvis, Head of Economic Development.

 

The Board was updated that there were six interviews with potential new Crewe Town Board members scheduled for 18 June 2024. The interview panel would consist of Councillor Jill Rhodes, Tony Davison, and Peter Skates / Charles Jarvis.

 

RESOLVED:

 

The Chair requested that, following the General Election on 4 July 2024, the new Member of Parliament for Crewe was formally invited to join the Crewe Town Board.

7.

AOB (5 Minutes)

To discuss any other items of business.

Minutes:

Crewe Town Council would be recruiting a dedicated Play Area and Parks Maintenance Officer, to start on 24 June 2024, and were looking in to activating the Lyceum Square are and screen for some summer events. Crewe Town Council were also looking to employ a part-time seasonal officer to work with parties regarding events at Lyceum Square.

8.

Date of Next Virtual Meeting

To confirm the venue and date of the next meeting at 5th July 2024 commencing at 09:30 am.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

As a General Election had been called for 4 July 2024, the Board resolved to move the next meeting of the Crewe Town Board from 5 July 2024 to a later date as several officers and Board Members would be involved in the election.