Agenda item

Finance, Qualis Client & Economic Development (C-005-2021-22) - to assist the economic recovery and sustainability of local High Streets across the district, Business Consultants were appointed to undertake a series of independent economic reviews.

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.

In the absence of the Finance, Qualis Client and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, the Leader of the Council introduced the town centre regeneration report. It was noted that the Cabinet proactively commenced a series of actions in July 2020, to ensure the authority was in the best position to respond to the challenges and opportunities of Covid 19. One of the agreed actions was to weld together a Covid 19 response with the Council’s priority to enable and assist the economic recovery and sustainability of local High Streets across the district.

Studio 3 Business Consultants were appointed to undertake a series of independent economic reviews. The purpose of these being to identify quick wins and to consider medium and longer-term recommendations to increase footfall to town centres; support local businesses and identify opportunities for attracting new business to the area.

The first of the studies focussed on Sun Street in Waltham Abbey and the second on Ongar. These had both been considered by Cabinet and approved, with work against recommendations subsequently commenced. The recommendations from the independent consultants provide an external view of projects and initiatives that could deliver resilient and vibrant high streets for the future. In order for the council to develop a detailed plan of work to be led by the new town centre project manager, Overview and Scrutiny Committees views were sought on the desirability and feasibility of these recommendations together with suggestions on prioritisation.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee wanted officers to look at how we could monitor our success. This could be done by looking at the figures for daily footfall etc. on our High Streets.  This report was a starting point about how people worked together and pulled together in a partnership.

Councillor C Whitbread welcomed the report and noted it was good to have a start on partnerships and see businesses coming together but noted there was still a lot of work to be done.  He praised the work being done by the Highway Rangers, they were doing a good job and making things look better.

Councillor Sunger said it was important to see the return to our local shops on the High Street.

Councillor Patel commented that this time last year they began looking at this and looked for quick wins. This was a plan for all partners to come together. It was also important for Town Councils and Parish Councils to invest in the local High Streets. He noted that recommendation 2 should say Waltham Abbey and Ongar, not Loughton.

Councillor Neville welcomed the report as the High Streets were the life and blood of our communities. He welcomed the way in which the report had been handled.

Councillor Wixley noted a reference to a 20 minute neighbourhood. This was no longer the case as some busses no longer ran, and he would like consideration given to their reinstatement. He also took issue with describing Loughton as a transit destination, people did come into Loughton to visit Epping Forest. As for Loughton Broadway, it had attractive 1950s architecture and should be made a conservation area. He would also like to see more parking on the Broadway and more disabled parking bays.

Councillor Sartin noted that there was no reference of people with disabilities in the report and it also said that more street furniture should be put in place. This would make it more difficult for people to move around safely especially for people with mobility or sight issues. She was told that officers would look closely at this.

Councillor C Whitbread commented that we should also be looking at some of our larger villages in the district and thinking about what we could do for them. He then went on to ask about Business Improvement Districts, which would be key for our larger towns. How could we get them to engage in this? He was told that this had been considered some years ago, but there was no appetite for it then, but this could all be changing now.  They would need businesses to sign up to this if there was any appetite there.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse was disappointed that ward members were not consulted and some of the recommendations seemed to be different to what was emerging in the Local Plan. How was this going to be dealt with. Mr Houston apologised about the consultation as they were focusing on the external partners first. They only had 6 months to do this, not enough time to consult everyone.  This was a starting point and they would continue to talk to people.  As for planning, they were in discussions with the planning colleagues. They were looking at the long term asking if they had the right policies in place. Mr Dawe added that the planning department were currently looking at their guidance on High Streets.

Decision:

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 Ongar.

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.

Reasons for Proposed Decisions:

This report formed part of the Council’s Covid Economic Recovery Programme, which had been designed to help support and improve economic viability of town centres across the district. The study conducted by Studio 3, was a completely independent view of the status of the economy in the six town centres and identified what was necessary to increase footfall, support local businesses and help sustain high street viability in the medium and longer term. 

Other Options for Action:

Overview and Scrutiny could suggest amendments to the recommendations in the attached reports, or, to agree to some and not others.