Agenda item

Leader – (C-052c-2020-21) – to consider part of the Council’s Covid Economic Recovery Programme, which has been designed to help support and improve economic viability of Town Centre’s across the district.

1.         The Cabinet considered the report produced by independent business consultants, Studio 3, on the economic viability of Waltham Abbey Town Centre, which includes recommendations to improve short and medium-term sustainability of businesses in Sun Street;

2.         That Cabinet agreed to proceed with the recommended actions contained within the report, including the proposal to introduce a Town Centres Project Manager, (Waltham Abbey and Ongar), on a fixed term basis for a period of 3 years at a cost of c £50k per annum. This postholder would organise and deliver on the specific project targets to lead and implement a phased programme of work in each of the Town Centre’s across the district in conjunction with town and parish councils, businesses and other interested policies; and,

3.         The Cabinet noted the bid for the 2021/22 budget that £150,000 be earmarked from the unallocated General Fund balance, to the District Development Fund Reserve, to fund the initiative – at £50,000 per annum – for three-years commencing 2021/22.

The Chief Operations Officer, N Dawe, explained that this was the first in a series of reports for each of the district’s conurbations. Other would follow in the coming months. These were very action orientated on purpose, with precise targets to be achieved and similar reports were envisaged for other town centres. Some consultations have already happened, although they had been difficult to carry out in the current circumstances.

Councillor Patel noted that this partly came under his Covid recovery work. He welcomed this report and noted that the money already allocated to Town Centre Managers showed the Cabinet’s commitment to this. It was important that the actions being set had robust timelines and that an appropriate Scrutiny Committee would also monitor the work being undertaken and the progress made. In terms of the work being undertaken it would be useful to understand what money would be made available to the Town Centre manager as this was not clear. He would also like to know how the consultants were appointed. As for engagement with stakeholders, he would like the Chamber of Commerce and others also included; not just the Town and Parish Councils. He noted the comparison of vacant units between 2019 and 2020, and asked how did we get to that figure, as they could be vacant for various period of time, 1 or 2 or more months? Mr Dawe replied that as for targets, timelines and resources would form the basis of a separate report. We were using current resources to carry out the actions named in the report. Any additional amount would be identified for the next stage. As for the how the consultants were chosen, he could not remember at present and would have to get back to the councillor. Vacant units were effectively identified by repeat spot surveys to give a sense of the position of the High Streets. Councillor Patel reiterated that he wanted measurable targets and did not want lack of resources as a reason to not achieve this.

Councillor Philip confirmed that these were ‘point in time’ surveys of occupancy and were not detailed analyses. He noted that a Town Centre Manager would not be managing the Town Centre but managing projects for the Town Centre, he should really be called a Town Centre Project Manager. If we decide to go ahead, we should bring another report to Cabinet with the project plan and the project fully costed.

Councillor S Kane agreed it should be costed and scheduled, but it should not delay the quick wins we could still do.

Councillor Plummer said that this was a good report, but it was the first time he had heard of this and it would have been nice if he had been consulted as he had been very involved in local businesses in recent years. Councillor C Whitbread noted that a lot of this had come from the Covid Recovery Portfolio Advisory Group, with representation from all groups.

Decision:

1.         The Cabinet considered the report produced by independent business consultants, Studio 3, on the economic viability of Waltham Abbey Town Centre, which includes recommendations to improve short and medium-term sustainability of businesses in Sun Street;

2.         That Cabinet agreed to proceed with the recommended actions contained within the report, including the proposal to introduce a Town Centres Project Manager, (Waltham Abbey and Ongar), on a fixed term basis for a period of 3 years at a cost of c £50k per annum. This postholder would organise and deliver on the specific project targets to lead and implement a phased programme of work in each of the Town Centre’s across the district in conjunction with town and parish councils, businesses and other interested policies; and,

3.         The Cabinet noted the bid for the 2021/22 budget that £150,000 be earmarked from the unallocated General Fund balance, to the District Development Fund Reserve, to fund the initiative – at £50,000 per annum – for three-years commencing 2021/22.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

This report forms part of the Council’s Covid Economic Recovery Programme, which had been designed to help support and improve economic viability of Town Centre’s across the district. The study conducted by Studio 3, was a completely independent view of the status of the economy in Sun Street, Waltham Abbey and identifies what was necessary to increase footfall; support local businesses and help sustain high street viability in the medium term. 

Other Options for Action:

Cabinet could decide not to proceed with the recommendations, or, to agree to some and not others.