Agenda item

Final Report of the Business Frontage Task Group

Consideration was given to the final report of the Business Frontage Task Group, containing recommendations which had been approved by the Performance Monitoring Panel.

The Chairman of the Task Group, Councillor Woolf, presented the report containing the Task Group’s recommendations to the Cabinet.

Consideration was given to the report and the following issues were raised:

·       The Task Group and Lead Officer were thanked for their hard work in bringing forward the report and recommendations. 

·       It was important to have a district-wide Shop Front Design Guide – this was not something that could be used retrospectively however, its use going forward would be helpful.

·       The recommendations were timely with the current spotlight on high streets and the challenges they faced.  It was important to raise standards and aspire to doing more. 

·       Updates on progress of the recommendations were requested as it was important that positive results flowed from them.  It was agreed that these should be done on a six-monthly basis.

·       Comment was made that the issue of empty shops had not been included within the report.  The Leader confirmed that the Spalding Town Board had received a suggestion from the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society that these spaces could be used to display information on the history of the area.

·       It was important to ensure that the conclusions and recommendations were  focussed in order to ensure accountability.

·       With regard to the recommendation around application for grants, it was acknowledged that grants for businesses were not plentiful.  It was important to be realistic and there was an important role in increasing awareness of grants where these were available. There was a role for the authority here, and it was important that shop owners were signposted to any relevant grants.

·       The Leader summarised:

o   That he supported moving forward on a South Holland Shop Front Design Guide;

o   With regard to the second recommendation and liaising with the Business Improvement District Manager putting in place arrangements for monthly updates, this should be done with the involvement of Strategic Planning, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and the BID Manager. It was also felt that monthly updates may be too frequent, certainly at the outset.

o   With regard to grants, the issue raised above with regard to the signposting of grants should be taken on board.

DECISION:

That the following recommendations of the Business Frontage Task Group be approved, taking into account the points summarised by the Leader:

1)    To prepare and provide a South Holland Shop Front Design Guide which would enable departments to cohesively work with shop owners and businesses in the district to offer best practice and recommendations of good design guide, to improve the outer facing of shop windows in keeping with the street scene.

2)    South Holland District Council to liaise with the Business Improvement District Manager, in liaison with Strategic Planning and the relevant Portfolio Holder, to put arrangements in place for regular updates, to include information on new opening and closure of businesses and general street scene updates. Training and workshops could also be offered to assist business owners on good practice, as well as engaging with landlords to work alongside shop tenants.

3)    To work with relevant departments and partner organisations with any enforcement options that could become available in the future.

4)    Shop businesses to be encouraged and assisted to apply for grants via signposting by officers to update and enhance their shop frontage.

5)    Communications Team to actively highlight shops and businesses, to promote what a good design looks like and how reports of good design can lead to flourishing businesses.

(Other options considered:

·       Not approve the Task Group’s Final Report;

·       Do nothing

Reasons for decision:

·       To ensure consideration of the Business Frontage Task Group recommendations)

(Councillor Woolf left the meeting following discussion of this item).