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Agenda item
Programme progress update
11:20
Minutes:
· Programme update
Pranesh Datta, Economic Development Manager at HBC presented and summarised the progress to date as listed in the report.
MP Sally-Ann Hart offered to make some enquiries regarding subsidy control. Pranesh thanked her and explained that legal advice is being sought and a template is being prepared in order to assess the impact on the Town Deal projects. An update will be given at the next meeting, if available.
· Decisions of the Town Deal Investment Panel
Ian Sycamore, External Funding Manager at HBC summarised the decisions of the investment panel on the new project assessment, Hastings Commons business case assessment and the general fund re-allocation.
These decisions were noted by the meeting. It was also noted and agreed that during the summer holidays, the board will be informed electronically of any decisions that are made by the investment panel with opportunities to query any decision as appropriate.
· General project update
Chantal Lass, Tackling Climate Change Programme Manager gave an update on the Public Realm and Green Connections project:
· The project and is being led by East Sussex County Council, in partnership with Hastings Borough Council and the Garden Town Team
· Working with Arup, who are experts in projects such as this, the project is looking at active travel solutions, combined with how to green up the town centre and improve the public realm
· Draft designs for the project have been received, looking at an active travel route from the top of Havelock Road down to the seafront. It is hoped these can be shared soon
· A range of stakeholders, including the bus companies have been engaged to consider the improvements that need to be made
· A phased approach will be taken as the ideas coming forward, if agreed, will cost more than the available Towns Fund budget
· Through the work that is being carried out, the scope of Arup’s work is being extended in order to improve the town centre beyond the remit of the current project
· The business case is currently being finalised and will be submitted on 14th July 22 for assessment
· More information on the project will be shared in due course following assessment
· Ways to improve and make more creative use of the public realm is also part of the projects consideration and will be carried out at a later phase
Bob Thust, updated on the Hastings Common project:
· Hastings Commons is an eco-system of organisations working across the three buildings included in this project and others
· These are nearly ready to go to the next stage of delivery
· The lease for 12 Claremont has been signed will be fully renovated as artist workspace and will also be a culture and retail venue. The plans are now ready and rapid progress will be seen over the next few months
· For Eagle House, there is an option to secure the freehold, which will enable the Common Room, which opened in September, to continue. It is hoped the purchase will take place over the next 2-3 months
· Observer Building, the current stages of renovation should be complete in 10 weeks’ time. The funding will help to establish a digital hub and will build on work that has been carried out in other buildings, particularly Rock House. Tours will be arranged soon and information will be shared with the programme team for circulation
· Business case progress by theme
Ian Sycamore highlighted that there are two business cases currently being assessed (Former Debenhams Building and Green Construction, Energy and Vehicle Training Centre), which will be presented to the investment panel in July.
· Communications update
Ruby Crowhurst, Engagement and Communications Officer explained that the blog is being updated and CitizenLab, the digital engagement platform will be integrated with the blog in due course.
She also explained that the project open day is currently in the early stages of planning, will no longer be taking place on 16th September. A date in October, to fit around Hastings Week, will be identified soon and further details will be circulated as soon as possible.
With regards to Priory Street car park project, MP Sally-Ann Hart explained that she is one of the chairs of the back bench policy committees at DLUHC looking at housing and planning. Nicholas Boys-Smith, from Create Streets has offered to engage with the project. Details will be passed on. All engagement is welcome and partners will be contacted in due course.
It was clarified that parking needs in the town centre are being reviewed by HBC’s Planning Policy team in order to identify what provision will be required in the future and this will be considered when developing this project.
· Project change request
This has been submitted, with signatures from the co-chairs and the section 151 officer. It is hoped this can be turned around by DLUHC very quickly.
· Programme finance update
The table shows how the capacity funding to initiate the programme has been used, including the business case support by Mott MacDonald and the assessment work by Steer Group. It is intended that regular updates will be brought forward as projects progress and the Accelerated Fund projects will also be included.
Supporting documents:
- Item 4 TD Programme update, item 85. PDF 255 KB
- Item 4 Appendix 1 Hastings Commons summary, item 85. PDF 2 MB
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