Agenda and minutes

Crewe Town Board - Friday, 4th July, 2025 9.30 am

Venue: Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

16.

Apologies for Absence (1 Minute)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Kate Blakemore, Ian Moston and Phil Cresswell.

17.

Declarations of Interest (1 Minute)

To receive any declarations of interest.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests other than those already on file.

18.

Crewe Police Station (15 Minutes)

To receive an update on the Crewe Police Station developments.

Minutes:

The Board received an update on the Crewe Police Station developments from Hannah Payne, Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire Fire Estates and Facilities.

 

The Board were updated that the new police premises would be in Basford East, the planning application has been submitted and was scheduled to be heard at the Council’s Strategic Planning Board on 23 July 2025. Officers were in the process of supplying the supporting plans and technical reports for the application. The feedback to date had been positive, with no fundamental issues which have needed to be addressed.

 

It was noted that a construction company had already been appointed and they would be ready to start on site as soon as possible and it was likely that it would be a 12-month build programme. It was noted that the construction company was looking to improve the social value of the construction by offering apprenticeships.

 

It was noted that the constabulary was still looking into options for their new Crewe Town Centre “hub”, which would be the base for a public facing helpdesk and approximately 10 officers. The ambition was for the town centre premises to be identified and up and running before current station was vacated. Board members noted the importance of a town centre location and the need for the existing town centre police station to not become a blot in the middle of the ongoing regeneration projects. The Board requested that police colleagues reach out to Cheshire East Council officers with their specific requirements for the town centre station as soon as possible.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the updates be noted.

19.

Warm and Healthy Homes Update (15 Minutes)

To receive an update on the Warm and Healthy Homes project.

Minutes:

The Board received an update on the Warm and Healthy Homes project.

 

It was noted that after initial surveys and contractual work the project had a total of £1,778,131 remaining and that the cost of full refurbishment to the public realm was too expensive to be carried out within this budget. As a result there would only be small improvements to the public realm. The Board requested that following the work funding by the Towns Fund, that Cheshire East Council review the roads in question to identify any additional works which could be carried out in order to remove any uneven surfaces, and to ensure a sustainable future for the heritage area.

 

Improvements to drains in the highway and tree removal from the public realm would be carried out as essential works. The remaining money would be spent on ensuring that the properties received improvements:

 

·         Replacement rainwater goods

·         Window replacement

·         Front and rear door replacement

·         Loft insulation and associated works

·         Vents and ducts

·         Tailed works to roofs and pointing would also be carried out on the properties most at need.

 

Although some owner occupiers would make contributions towards the works being carried out, the majority of the budget would be spent on those properties which were owned by those on low incomes and in the most need.

 

It was noted that the procurement was scheduled to take place within the next month, and the procurement window would take six weeks, and that all the Towns Fund moneys would be contracted by March 2026. It was noted that due to the heritage aspect of the properties, a lot of the fixtures and fittings would have to be made from bespoke materials, which cost substantially more than standard.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the updates be noted.

 

Board members requested a “lessons learned” procedure by carried out following the project to ensure that the delays experienced can be mitigated in future projects.

20.

Crewe Town Board Terms of Reference Review (15 Minutes)

To receive an update and discuss amendments to the Crewe Town Board Terms of Reference.

Minutes:

The draft Crewe Town Board Terms of Reference were circulated with the Board for comment to be discussed at future meeting.

21.

Towns Fund Performance Update (15 Minutes)

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.

 

Crewe Youth Club – A launch event had been held on 27 and 28 June, with the Minister for Sport and Young People in attendance.

 

Southern Gateway – The main works were scheduled to complete week commencing 7 July, but due to issues with supplier of the corten steel fencing it would not be open until mid-August 2025.

 

Mill Street Corridor – The contractor commenced on site on 23 June and the project was scheduled to be complete by January 2026, with  the next phase to be completed by Spring 2026.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the updates be noted.

22.

Strategic Update from Cheshire East Council (15 Minutes)

To receive a Strategic Update from Cheshire East Council.

Minutes:

There were no significant strategic updates.

23.

Devolution Update (15 Minutes)

To receive an update on devolution in Cheshire and Warrington.

Minutes:

The Board received an update on devolution in Cheshire and Warrington.

 

The Board were updated that the three councils of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington were still awaiting an indication from central government as to whether Cheshire and Warrington had met the statutory tests for being considered for devolution, and the details regarding the amount of funding which would be specified to a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.

 

The three councils were lining up decision making meetings for autumn 2025 where the details and decisions could be presented to councils to vote on, ahead of mayoral elections in May 2026.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the updates be noted.

24.

AOB (5 Minutes)

To note any other items of business.

Minutes:

To note any other items of business.

 

Ly2 – The Board noted that there were prohibitively high costs for hosting events on Ly2 due to the cost of highway closures which created issues with holding events on the square. Members questioned whether the highway adjacent to the square could be permanently closed, or if alternative methods for access could be reviewed to ensure that the space could be used more effectively.

 

Crewe Market Hall – The Board noted continued concerns regarding footfall, marketing and activity within the Crewe Market Hall.

 

Neighbourhood Health Centres – Work was underway to submit an expression of interest when possible, for a Neighbourhood Health Centre in Crewe.

 

Revenue Support Grant Consultation – Board members were encouraged to complete the government’s revenue support gran consultation.

25.

Date of Next Virtual Meeting

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 01.08.2025 commencing at 09:30am.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the date of the next meeting be confirmed as 01.08.2025 commencing at 09:30am.