Decision details

1.            The Cabinet noted the reports which were produced by an external consultant, and indicated short-term, medium-term and long-term actions that were suggested to ensure that the town centres can best deal with current challenges and opportunities and can adapt to make use of future opportunities.

2.            The Cabinet agreed with the short-term recommendations which were immediate actions to deal with High Street reopening as per the reports previously considered for Waltham Abbey and Loughton.

3.            The Cabinet noted that the short-term recommendations and actions would be managed in detail using clear project management techniques that would identify, timescale, responsible officer, key actions, and evaluation criteria.

4.            The Cabinet noted that the immediate actions proposed could be carried out by using current operational budgets, (as with Waltham Abbey and Ongar) and specific grants and funds already set aside in Epping Forest District Council/s 2021/22 Budget and from the legitimate use of other general initiative budgets set aside, e.g., tree planting and climate change.

5.            The Cabinet noted that the proposed medium-term and long-term options, and alternate ideas would be developed over time and would by necessity be partnerships between enterprise, town and parish councils, other public bodies, and Epping Forest District Council itself.

6.            The Cabinet noted that medium-term and long-term actions would necessitate full business cases, budget provision and inclusion where necessary in Qualis Business Plans.

7.            The Cabinet required Planning to update their guidance for town centres to assist with encouraging an appropriate “look and feel” to the Town Centres.

8.         The Cabinet noted the relationship between this project and other key projects, e.g., Development Plans Climate Change Action Plan, Sustainable Travel, Community Hubs, Investment Asset pans and Qualis Business Plans.