Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Kate Blakemore, Andy Butler and Connor Naismith MP.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous virtual meetings held on 1 May 2026 and 5 June 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 1 May 2026 and 5 June 2026 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To confirm the position of Vice-Chair of the Crewe Town Board for the next year.

The Chair consulted Board Members on their nominees for the position of Vice Chair of the Crewe Town Board for the next year.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That Simon Yates be confirmed as the Vice Chair of the Crewe Town Board for the next year.

To receive an update on the Crewe BID Delivery Plan.

The Board received a presentation from Crewe BID on progress against its Delivery Plan.

The update highlighted activity delivered under the themes of promotion, business engagement, and creating a cleaner, greener and safer town centre.

Members heard about a range of events and campaigns including Diwali Fusion, Crewe Pride, Crewe Day, Discover Crewe on Sea, Halloween and Christmas initiatives. Updates were also provided on business crime reduction measures, youth engagement, enhanced cleansing, business training opportunities and the development of the Discover Crewe brand.

Future priorities included continued support for town centre events, Town of Culture Campaign, expansion of cleansing services, further business support and training, and continued investment in safety initiatives.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To formally ratify the updated report on the Crewe Town Board and the Future of Crewe, which was discussed informally at the last meeting on 05.06.26.

The Board considered the report which had been discussed informally at the inquorate meeting held on 5 June 2026. The Chair advised that reference had now been added to those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs).

The Board agreed the recommendations as presented.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

1. That the report be formally approved and ratified.
2. That the information contained within the report be noted.

To receive an update on Towns Fund Performance, including potential reallocation of the Towns Fund Grant.

The Board received an update from Jez Goodman, Development and Regeneration Manager, on the Towns Fund programme, including progress across all Towns Fund projects and proposals for the reallocation of Towns Fund grant funding.

The Board considered recommendations from the Towns Fund Sub-Group regarding the reallocation of available grant funding. Members were advised that six proposals had been received from existing Towns Fund projects, including details on the purpose and impact of any additional funding. These had been considered by the Sub-Group which had proposed that:

1. £499,000 be reallocated to Cumberland Arena to enable the full delivery of the planned improvements to the athletics facilities.  The Board was advised that costs had been subject to detailed scrutiny to provide assurance that the funding requested would be sufficient. Discussion took place regarding the future operation of the facility, maintenance responsibilities and the importance of ensuring communications reflected that any further investment in the facility should focus on the benefits to users and the wider community.

2. £50,000 be reallocated to the Pocket Parks project to address cost increases for additional drainage requirements which would enable this project to proceed.

3. Potential reallocation to the Warm and Healthy Homes and YouthZone (The Dome) project would be deferred pending the receipt of additional information.

Following the proposed reallocations, £187,000 would remain available for reallocation, to be considered by the Board at a later date.

Members were advised that any decision would remain subject to Cheshire East Council's formal decision-making processes and would be subsequently reported to its Cabinet.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

1. That the Towns Fund Performance Update be noted.
2. That the proposed reallocation of Towns Fund funding to Cumberland Arena and Pocket Parks projects be supported and recommended for approval, subject to the relevant Cheshire East Council approvals.
3. That consideration of any reallocation of funding to the Warm and Healthy Homes and YouthZone (The Dome) project be deferred pending further information.
4. That no funding be reallocated to the YouthZone (Crewe Youth Club) nor the History Centre Public Realm project.

To receive a strategic update from Cheshire East Council.

The Board received a strategic update from Cheshire East Council.

Members were updated on Combined Authority activity, ongoing regeneration work, the recent Combined Authority AGM held in Crewe and vandalism at the town centre multi-storey car park.

Discussion took place regarding the forthcoming Cheshire and Warrington mayoral election and the importance of ensuring that Crewe remained a priority for future candidates.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To note any other items of business.

Support for Crewe Day was encouraged among Members. Reference was also made to opportunities for future park provision and the ongoing Cheshire East strategic leisure review.

RESOLVED:

That the updates be noted.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 07.08.2026 commencing at 09:30am.

That the date of the next meeting be confirmed as 07.08.2026 commencing at 09.30 a.m.