Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jill Rhodes, Carol Young and Sally Hepton.

To receive any declarations of interest.

As the Towns Fund Progress Update was to become a standing item on the agenda, it was agreed that the following declarations of interest would be recorded and used for all future meetings where this item would be discussed:

Simon Yates declared an interest in the Always Ahead Charity (for Flag Lane Baths).

Adam Knight declared an interest in Crewe Lyceum Theatre and HQ Theatres (for the Power House project).

Dr Kieran Mullan MP, in the interest of openness, declared that he supported the Whitby Morrison ice cream element of the heritage centre fund and the wishing well element of the pocket parks fund.

Reverend David Edwards declared an interest in the Always Ahead Charity (for Flag Lane Baths).

Councillor Nick Mannion, in the interest of openness, declared that he is an elected Member of Cheshire East Council which is the accountable body for the programme and requested that this standing declaration be recorded for any Cheshire East Councillors who may attend the meeting in future.  Cllr Mannion also declared that he chairs the Council’s Economy and Growth Committee which has regeneration within its remit. 

Jasbir Dhesi declared that Cheshire College is a named beneficiary of the ice cream element of the heritage project and that the college is also supportive of a number of the other projects.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous virtual meeting held on 4 February 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

To receive a detailed update on the Towns Fund and Accelerated Funding Projects.

The board noted that this would become a standing item on all future agendas. Charles Jarvis provided an update on the Crewe Towns Fund Programme, outlining how things have progressed since the last meeting. The following updates were received:

·         Flag Lane Baths and the Youth Zone had both submitted their business cases for appraisal and were on schedule. It was expected that summary reports would be drafted and submitted to government in May 2022 as scheduled. 

·         There had been questions around the delivery model for the Power House and legal advice had been taken. This was being dealt with as part of the business case which was expected to remain on schedule for delivery in June 2022.

·         Cumberland Arena had previously identified that they were amber in terms of quality which was due to the reduction of funding decided by the board which did not provide their optimal solution. However, there was now a solution which they were working through with the business case. The business case was scheduled for delivery on 17 June.

·         Warm Homes had also had a reduction in funding and were expecting to deliver fewer houses than originally anticipated, although this would not impact the delivery of the business case which was progressing.

·         Valley Brook had previously requested to be moved from tranche 2 delivery to tranche 3. That had been accepted and was due to a resource issue although this had now been resolved.

It was agreed that the board needs to have some input on the Power House location discussion and that this would be brought to the next board meeting.

Concerns were raised about risks associated with planning backlogs. It was noted that it was a priority to improve the planning processes at Cheshire East Council and reduce the backlog, although the same issue was being seen nationally. It was agreed that Martin Wood would canvass other towns and central policy colleagues to establish the risks associated with planning in other towns and would report back to the board. It was also agreed that Peter Skates would take back a request for a report with data on the current backlog in Cheshire East and whether the situation was improving. The board would go through the risk register at the next meeting and discuss what mitigations were in place.

It was requested that the draft business case for the Youth Zone be shared with the board.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To review the purpose and scope of the Crewe Town Board.

Consideration was given to the board’s terms of reference. Suggested amendments had been circulated outside the meeting which aimed to improve clarity of the board’s purpose and remit. The board agreed that these amendments should be taken forward. It was also agreed that consideration should be given to the structure and relationship between the board and Cheshire East Council and that this should be formalised within the terms of reference.

The terms of reference would be redrafted to incorporate these changes and shared with the board for approval before publication with the aim of publishing as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

That the terms of reference be redrafted and approved by the board ahead of publication.

To receive an update on the public forum that took place on 18^th February 2022 and measure the success of this. 

The chair thanked all that supported and attended the event which was noted to have been positive. It was agreed that plans should be made for holding similar events on a more regular basis. Consideration would also be given to holding a private sector event focusing on inward investment.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To receive a sub-groups update.

An update was provided on the sub groups which included:

Transport Green & Blue – The consultation on local transport delivery plans had been considered at a recent meeting. The forum challenged the term ‘delivery plan’ and it was agreed that this would be changed to development plan. The forum was looking for more members to join.

Sports Provision and Open Spaces – The review of the direction and aims of the forum was still to progress.

Youth Representation – Dhesi had contacted the board for suggestions for Youth representation. Responses had been received and this was now progressing

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To receive an update from the Communication & Engagement Sub-Group.

The sub group were developing an events plan to build on the recent event success. A number of requests had been received for the board to be involved in various community events. A report would be brought to a future board meeting to provide an outline of this.

The sub group were also working with each of the project leads to coordinate communication and engagement and were arranging a sub group of communications leads for each project.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To receive an update from the Director of Growth & Enterprise.

An update was provided on the Great British Railway Head Quarters. The government had announced that there would be a requirement for an expression of interest which the team were working towards with a submission date of 16 March. Shortlisting would be announced in May followed by a public vote.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To put forward any other items of business.

The board noted that Jasbir Dhesi will provide an update at the next meeting on behalf of Cheshire College on some significant capital projects that will impact Crewe.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 1 April 2022 commencing at 9.30am.

RESOLVED:

That the next virtual meeting be held on Friday 1 April 2022.