Agenda item

-      Report of the Town Centre Scrutiny Project Group

-      HS2 Scrutiny Project Group

6:30pm to 6:45pm

Town Centre Scrutiny Project Group

Lead Member of the project, Councillor Borrell, presented the report of the scrutiny project group and asked Members to approve the recommendations and delegate authority to the scrutiny project group to add in further information received following the agenda publication.

The scope for the project was approved by the OPSF on 27 June, 2017 and set out how the group would evaluate the council’s fulfilment of its Council Plan priorities of developing our great town centre and making sure that local people benefit from growth in Chesterfield Borough. The recommendations sought to assist the achievement of these priorities by ensuring that the town centre broadened its offer, appeal and connectivity, and that developments with linkage to the town considered their impact and had a joined up approach.

Throughout the project members of the public, key stakeholders and senior officers had been consulted and their views used to inform the report and recommendations. In addition, studies surrounding recent changes in the retail environmental and the value of entertainment and leisure provided crucial detail and context.

To address the financial implications associated with some of the recommendations, the scrutiny project group decided to not include a timeline for implementation so that they could be introduced on a phased basis or used as a basis for further study.

HS2 Scrutiny Project Group

Lead Member of the project, Councillor Flood, advised that the group was reaching the end of its remit and only a few areas were left to review. The group would be putting together recommendations for how to move forward in the future and suggested that there needed to be a way that information on HS2 is fed into the OPSF.

There was still a need for more work into skills however this would be discussed at the Scrutiny Work Programming sessions for 2018/19.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the recommendations of the Scrutiny Project Group’s review of the town centre, as detailed below, be approved to be recommended to Cabinet, including any additional information received:

                     i.        Signage, cleanliness, general appeal (which includes the challenges currently being faced where rough sleepers are deterring locals and visitors alike) and connectivity between areas needs to be improved as does the transport infrastructure in order that visitors gain an immediate positive first impression to enable them to speak positively about Chesterfield and encourage others to visit.

                    ii.        To consider re-branding with a new more generic tag-line for the town with the intention of bringing a clear focus to potential foreign and wider-UK visitors.

                   iii.        That measures, such as Purple Flag status, are considered to bring more life to the town during the currently quiet periods – 3pm onward.

                  iv.        A review (frequency, location, size, type) of the market is required to provide an offering that meets the changing wishes of the modern-day customer.

                   v.        That ways to open up the town for a major event and cultural space are explored to broaden the appeal with a wider offering of activities focusing on areas as diverse as film, art, literature, food, jazz, busking and cheese, to name just a few, with a particular focus on enhancing the evening activities with night markets and live entertainment.

2.   That the update from the HS2 Scrutiny Project Group be noted.