Issue - meetings

To outline the proposed three-year plan of improvements for Holbeach and Spalding that can be delivered to enhance the town centres and provide future opportunities (report of the Deputy Leader of Cabinet and Council and the Deputy Leader of the Cabinet enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Leader of Cabinet & Council and the Deputy Leader of Cabinet.

The Deputy Leader of Cabinet & Council and the Deputy Leader of Cabinet introduced the report on the Holbeach and Spalding Town Improvement works which outlined the proposed three year plan of improvements for Holbeach and Spalding.

The Deputy Leader of Cabinet & Council informed Members that a huge amount of work has gone into the proposal for Holbeach to look at what could be done to improve the town centre. The Deputy Leader of Cabinet & Council also explained that the town centre landscape has changed rapidly. Work was being carried out in relation to the Roundabout at the A17, the development of the Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) and various retail surveys and management analysis which were being carried out.

Members were informed that SHDC had submitted an expression of interest to the Future High Streets Fund and had been awarded £150,000 to develop a detailed business case, which would seek to secure capital funding in the region of £5-£10 million.

The Deputy Leader of Cabinet informed Members that as part of the proposal, the team would be looking to add a fixed term post for 3 years to ensure that the work is done. Members were told that Holbeach and Spalding were facing challenges and there was a need to establish a track record of data so that government funds could be applied for to be ready for opportunities.

Members debated the impact of rising car parking charges in the Town centre and how this would affect visitors coming into the town centres, running the risk of driving residents and visitors to other districts.

Members also discussed the fact that although the report is good for the Holbeach and Spalding Town centres, other town centres in the district, especially the smaller town were also suffering so it would be good for the other districts to be included in terms of Improvement works in their town centres.  The Deputy Leader of Cabinet & Council informed Members that he had taken the comments on board and would encourage Parish Councils to start to build up evidence  by doing retail surveys so that when opportunities arose they would be ready. 

DECISION:

1)    That works associated with the Improvement Plan be funded from the growth and Investment reserve up to a value of £500,000 investment over 3 years

2)    That a 3 year fixed term post be added to the establishment to co-ordinate and undertake works as part of the Town Centre Improvement Plan

3)    That members agree to accept the sum of £150,000 granted from the Future High Street Fund for the purposes outlined in paragraph 1.15 of the report.