Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Tony Davison, Ian Moston and Andy Butler.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest from Members.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2025.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous virtual meeting held on 03.10.2025 be

approved as a correct record.

The Chair provided an update on their recent meeting with Cheshire East Council and Crewe Town Council regarding Railway Cottages, traffic management and Lyceum Square. The Board were concerned about a recent large diesel spillage on Heath Street which highlighted the unsuitability of the road for large vehicles.

To receive an update on the draft Local Transport Plan and Investment Framework.

The Board received an update on the draft Local Transport Plan and Investment Framework.

The Board were updated on the development of a new Local Transport Plan for Cheshire East. A Local Transport Plan (LTP) is a statutory obligation on the Council as the Local Transport Authority, and it is intended to be the Council's statement of its transport policies and priorities. Cheshire East need to renewing their local transport plan as the current plan would expire at the end of the calendar year. There was a duty on every Local Transport Authority to maintain a current LTP.

The Board were updated that the Council was in the second round of public and stakeholder consultations. Since the Council adopted their previous plan in 2019, there had been some marked changes in the landscape.  There were also long-standing changes to travel behaviour and travel patterns, some of which could be related to the legacy of the COVID pandemic and lockdowns; local bus numbers are improving but were still 15% below pre-COVID levels.

It was noted that there were six key policies in the consultation which cover areas of ensuring that transport supports the economy and access to jobs, removing the negative environmental impacts of transport (both carbon and noise), determining how investment choices are made, and promoting the adoption of a road user hierarchy.

The Board were updated that the second part of the LTP related to a strategic investment framework to inform how government grant funding was spent on local transport, with investments in Cheshire East set to increase threefold in the next FY.

It was noted that with the formation of the Combined Authority in Cheshire and Warrington, the responsibility for transport strategy would sit with them as it would be a responsibility of the Mayor, but the existing local transport strategies would be used as a basis for this.

The Council were holding several sessions with key employers in the region and pop-up sessions in Crewe and Macclesfield.

RESOLVED:

That the updates be noted and Members to fill in the consultation: Your Transport - Your Voice Consultation

To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects.

The Board received an update on several of the Towns Fund Projects and programme Management updates from Chris Jackson, Senior Regeneration Officer, and individual project sponsors.

Repurposing Our High Streets Grant Scheme – A total of 25 grant applications had been approved and there were three more applications progressing. A number of businesses had opened recently: JJ Sweetz, Milk & Honey, Smash on Crewe, Crewe Optical, Biurokrat CRW and Crewe Creates CIC.

Cheshire Archive – The cladding work had commenced. A budget pressure had been identified and would likely require some value-engineering or additional funding to be secured. The Ice Cream Van rebrand, and wrapping was expected to be completed in November 2025 by Chesher College South and West.

TADIC – The venue was expected to be fully operational when operator was in place in late November.

Youth Zone – Currently forecasting opening Summer 2026, with a 12-week fit-out followed by occupation in Autumn 2026. The groundworks and steelwork had been completed, and the cladding and brickwork was ongoing. The Youth Investment Fund capital grant had been spent, and the Towns Fund grant was now being drawn down, which would be followed by a Cheshire East Council contribution in 2026 / 2027.

Youth Club – Work was ongoing to explore options for Phase 2 on the adjacent plot on the site.

Cumberland Arena – The building was expected to be watertight by mid-December 2025.

Valley Brook Corridor – The project would include some remedial work to improve the existing pedestrian bridge. An agreement had been reached with Network Rail in terms of land ownership and final cost estimates were expected shortly from Cheshire East Highways.

Pocket Parks – The Lime Tree Avenue and Greendale Gardens Pocket Parks had officially opened on 28 October and Samuel Street Pocket Park had opened on 4 November with a media release published 6 November. The final two Pocket Parks currently had tenders for play equipment which were being evaluated with expected installation from January – March 2026.

Wishing Well – Work was ongoing to address a potential pre-commencement condition related to the drainage strategy which was expected to be resolved soon so that the project could commence by March 2026. There was a potential risk of delay associated with current staffing capacity in legal and property teams.

Lyceum Square – A number of events upcoming:

9 November Remembrance Day

29 November - Christmas Light switch on

10 December - Star of Light

Warm and Healthy Homes – The report on the CCTV drains survey was being reviewed to identify any interventions required and costs, which would be shared with Cheshire East Highways. Engagement with individual property owners around the various works to their properties was ongoing and clarification of the ownership of the walls on the boundary of the sites needed to be determined. Cheshire East Highways would make safe the highways once the outcome of the survey was known and had continued responsibility for maintaining the safety of the public realm. Crewe Town Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To receive a Strategic Update from Cheshire East Council.

The Board received a Strategic Update from Cheshire East Council.

Cheshire East Council Finance – There was an identified gap of around £2 million, which was improving, and may depend on how harsh / cold the winter was in terms of hospital admissions, and gritting, etc. Meetings with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were ongoing with regards to the Non-Statutory Best Value Notice.

UK Town of Culture – Officers were reviewing the criteria for this in view of eligibility for Crewe and other towns across Cheshire East.

Crewe 360 – An improvement plan for Crewe Station was underway with Avanti and Network Rail, and the scheme would be working closely with neighbouring authorities. It was noted that there was a need to define the red line boundary around the station to create a wider regeneration area around the station. It wa noted that trail franchises would soon be transferred to Great British Rail.

RESOLVED:

That the updates be noted.

To receive an update on devolution in Cheshire and Warrington.

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

It was noted that on 31st October 2025, the first meeting of the Shadow Combined Authority had been held in Ellesmere Port. The Chair of the Board was Councillor Louise Gittins from Cheshire West and Chester Council, and the Deputy Chair was Councillor Nick Mannion from Cheshire East Council. It was noted that there would be Mayoral elections in May 2027, and work was underway to determine what statutory officer roles would be required. It was noted that the Mayoral Combined Authority would receive a £21.7 million per annum for Investment Fund for period of 30 years, as well as other specific funding.

RESOLVED:

That the updates be noted.

To note any other items of business.

·         That the April 2026 meeting would be cancelled.

·         The importance of having a schedule of proposed projects and redevelopment proposals was noted by the Board.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 05.12.2025 commencing at 09:30am.

RESOLVED:

That the date of the next meeting be confirmed as 05.12.2025 commencing at 09:30am.