Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Kate Blakemore, Andy Butler, Peter Skates, Martin Wood, and Elliot Grimshaw.

To receive any declarations of interest.

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

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous virtual meeting held on 15^th July 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To receive updates and presentations on the Warm and Heathy Homes & Valley Brook projects from the project leads.

The Board received updates on the Valley Brook Project from Chris Greenhalgh, Valley Brook Project Manager and Hayley Kirkham, Valley Brook SRO, and on the Warm and Healthy Homes Project from Martin Campbell, Warm and Healthy Homes Project Manager.

Warm and Healthy Homes – The Board were updated that 41 dwellings had signed up to the programme, along with the associated “streetscape”. The project was currently at RIBA Stage 2, with works scheduled to commence in November 2024 and complete in December 2025.

Valley Brook Project – The Board were updated that the project’s aim was to create an Active Travel Corridor and renaturalise the river. The route had been amended so that it now ran on-road along Alton Street and Electricity Street, new street furniture, wayfinding and signage was proposed along the route, with the potential for SuDs features. Public engagement would take place between 2 September 2024 and 13 October 2024 to gather feedback from key stakeholders, groups and the local community, detailed design would take place September 2024 to April 2024, the planning application and statutory consents would take from October 2024 to January 2025, with construction from August 2025 to December 2025, prior to handover.   

To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects.

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.

Crewe Youth Zone – Work was scheduled to start imminently on the former Oak Street car park site.

Ly² – Crewe Town Council had recently used the square for local event.

Repurposing Our High Streets – The former Poundland site had new artwork on its façade, and an artwork consultation process was underway for a number of vacant units in the for Victoria Centre premises.

Flag Lane Baths – The Board discussed potential opportunities for the Flag Lane Baths site and officers were invited to provide options to the next Board meeting on 06.09.2024.

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

The Board received a Strategic Update Charles Jarvis, Head of Economic Development on:

Multi-story Car Park – The official opening of the multi-story car park had taken place on Tuesday 30 July 2024.

The Chair updated the Board that, in line with the Crewe Town Board Terms of Reference, an annual review of the Chair and Vice Chair was required to take place. The Vice Chair has last been reviewed in July 2023 and therefore needed to be repeated. The Chair would write to Board Members to ask if anyone wished to put themselves forward as Vice Chair and if the current elected representative was happy to continue in their role.

To confirm the venue and date of the next meeting at 6^th September 2024 commencing at 09:30am.

To confirm the venue and date of the next meeting at 6^th September 2024 commencing at 09:30am.