Agenda item

Finance and Economic Development – (C-56-2020-21) – To note the second of the studies focussed on Chipping Ongar and its high street and the detailed report produced by Studio 3 attached to this report.

The Cabinet considered and agreed the report produced by independent business consultants, Studio 3, on the economic viability of Ongar Town Centre, which included recommendations to improve short and medium-term sustainability of businesses in the High Street.

The Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder introduced the report on the Ongar Town Centre.

He noted that as part of the Council’s work to assist the economic recovery and sustainability of local High Streets across the district, Studio 3 Business Consultants were appointed in September, to undertake a series of independent economic reviews. The purpose of these being to identify quick wins and to consider longer-term recommendations to increase footfall to town centres, to support local businesses and identify opportunities for attracting new business to the area.

The second of the studies focussed on Chipping Ongar and its high street and the detailed report produced by Studio 3 (attached to the covering report), set out a range of recommendations for action, including quick wins.

Following on from the first report on Waltham Abbey, the Cabinet agreed in their meeting of 22nd December 2020, to the appointment of a Town Centre Manager, a role which would have a direct involvement in all high street developments including those given the go-ahead as a result of this report.

Councillor Keska thanked the Cabinet for this report and for appointing an experienced consultant to carry out the background work. The report built on work undertaken by the Town Council and as the Ward Member he supported the recommendations and asked that the Town Manager be appointed without delay. There was a lot of work to be done and the sooner it was started the better. Councillor Philip pointed out that the Towns Centre Project Manager was not delegated to individual Town Centres. He was currently exploring whether to nominate a local member for that area to act as the Town Centre Champion to work with the project manager to keep things moving. He was working on a role description for this to ensure that they would add value to what we were doing.

Councillor Bedford welcomed the report noting that there were a lot of quick wins in there to help Ongar. Councillor Avey said that it was a good report. It mentioned the Highways Rangers and that they would be spread out across the district and not just working in Ongar. We must also start thinking about car parking tariffs for the area and the impact other car parks in the area. Also, we have always talked about re-establishing the commuter line between Ongar and Epping, but the stumbling block has always been TfL who did not want to put in a platform at Epping. We needed to find a way to talk them round.

Councillor Philip echoed Councillor Bedford’s comments, quick wins were the key part to this. He also took onboard Councillor Avey’s comments about the Highway Rangers and car parking. Councillor C Whitbread agreed that we had to look afresh at our Town Centres, and this was the way to do it.

Councillor Patel welcomed the report. The Cabinet had wanted achievable targets and needed to support High Streets and Town Centres especially as we were in our third lockdown. He welcomed the idea of having a champion for each town centre area to bring in the best for the residents.

Councillor S Kane commented that this showed the importance of looking at each Town Centre individually as they all had different requirements and not have a district wide approach. He added that with the Waltham Abbey plans having been agreed recently by the Cabinet they were already making quick wins thanks to the rangers, and collaboration with the Town Council was absolutely key, it was not something we could do ourselves. He was pleased to say that Waltham Abbey was already on the way. Councillor C Whitbread agreed with him saying that each Town Centre had its own bespoke approach and that went for all areas as well as some of the rural villages as they needed support during this time. Councillor Philip added that is was one of the reasons we were doing them individually and hoped to get to all the major Town Centres by the end of this council year. Councillor C Whitbread replied that these were the two that needed early support to give them a jump start. Also, becoming more apparent was the need for a place budget.

Councillor Janet Whitehouse liked the report but had concerns raised to her about the Town Centre Manager and that they should not be someone from outside the town who did not know it. Could we have someone from the town to organise events. Councillor Philip said this was to be a Town Centres Project Manager, someone to be taking on projects but was not dedicated to any one town centre. We were looking for quick wins of things that could be done, but to be successful it had to be run as a project. If there was a person in Ongar willing to do things, he suggested that they got in Contact with Ongar Town Council and offered their services to them.

Councillor Murray said that it was an interesting report, working in partnership with Town and Parish Councils was good. When you get to Loughton it should be remembered that although it was one community it should be seen as two areas with different needs, these were Loughton High Road and the Broadway. Councillor Philip noted that in the Local Plan both areas were identified as separate areas; Councillor Murray was right, they did have different requirements

Decision:

The Cabinet considered and agreed the report produced by independent business consultants, Studio 3, on the economic viability of Ongar Town Centre, which included recommendations to improve short and medium-term sustainability of businesses in the High Street.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

This report forms 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. The study conducted by Studio 3, is a completely independent view of the status of the economy connected to Ongar High Street and identifies what is 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.