To receive an update on the Towns Fund projects.
Minutes:
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.
Information had been collected for all Towns Fund Projects relating to their forecast budgets, funding gaps, opportunities for reallocation, and outcomes in consultation with statutory consultees, and the details of the implication on the following projects if funding gaps were not secured:
· Pocket Parks;
· YouthZone, Oak Street; and
· YouthZone, Mirion Street
The Board were asked to consider a reallocation of funds from the Repurposing Our High Streets budget under three options, each of which would have an impact of the scope of the projects:
· Option S1 – Reduce budget allocation by 25%
· Option S2 – Reduce budget allocation by 22%
· Option S3 – Reduce budget allocation by 0%
The Board were asked to consider how to reallocate this funding:
· Option D1 – Pro rata across all projects identifying a shortfall
· Option D2 – Reallocate to all projects as to whether need is assessed as absolute or ideal
· Option D3 – Across all projects identifying a shortfall based on absolute need
· Option D4 – Not to reallocate any funding
It was noted that the Youth Zone project has successfully bid for funding totalling over £11 million including the Towns Fund contributions. Howeve through the tender process the costs for works have increased against current budget and there are shortfalls. These shortfalls were largely caused by delays, but the Board noted the disappointment of this.
It was noted that locally there was a “bottleneck” on funding as several requests had been made in short succession to the limited number of capital sources.
Lyceum Square – Additional artwork, painting of the junction, building lighting and recladding of the stage was scheduled for completion in May 2024 and -options regarding traffic permits were being looked in to. Concerns around access requirements to the Lyceum Square were noted, and how this would impact the viability of events on the square, and further investigation would take place.
Repurposing Our High Streets – Options on how to facilitate adaption of empty premises for pop-up uses was being explored.
History Centre and Public Realm – Demolition had commenced and was to be finished by June 2024, with remaining construction work to be completed by October 2024.
Flag Lane Baths – A meeting is taking place in late May with sub-group.
Crewe Youth Club – Expected to complete by Spring 2025, with “soft opening” in Quarter 4 2024 and the official opening in Quarter 1 2025.
Cumberland Arena – A contractor was being procured.
Pocket Parks – Opening ceremonies had taken place at McLaren Street and Derby Docks, with two more pocket parks to open soon.
Jubilee Project – A charitable donation had filled the £10k funding gap and public consultation focusing on noise and light pollution was to be undertaken.
Adaptive Signals – The switch on had been completed.
Warm and Healthy Homes – A contractor was about to be appointed and around 50% of residents had signed up. Historic England had provided £50k support for ancillary heritage works. Work was expected to start in summer 2024 and complete in winter 2025.
RESOLVED:
After consideration the Board resolved unanimously to proceed with Option S2 – to reduce budget allocation of repurposing our high street by 22% (£317,866).
After consideration the Board resolved unanimously to proceed with Option D3 – to allocate funding to both the Youth Zone Oak Street and the Pocket Parks Jubilee Gardens to contribute to shortfalls based on absolute need.
Following recommendations, the next steps would be for further consultation with Kieran Mullan MP, and letter of support, sign off by Cheshire East Council’s S151 Officer, submission of PAR documentation to DLHUC, and a report to Cheshire East Economy and Growth Committee to ratify the decision of the Board and to amend the Council Mid-Term Financial Strategy budget amendment.
Councillor Nick Mannion left the meeting at 10:40