- Verbal report prior to commencement of Scrutiny Project Groups.
5:05pm to 5:15pm
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy, the Economic Growth Manager and the Executive Director, Michael Rich, attended to update Members on the Town Centre and HS2 developments in preparation for two Scrutiny Project Groups commencing reviews in these areas.
Members were informed that the current proposals for HS2 included at least one train an hour between London and Chesterfield and a maintenance depot in Staveley. An East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy had been developed and the Council was due to develop its own Growth Strategy in July to ensure every opportunity was maximised and access to and from the railway station was transformed.
Colleges in Birmingham and Doncaster would be
involved in the strategy development to address the need for
specialist training for employees working at the maintenance depot.
A project manager had been appointed to support the proposals for
HS2 and was expected to start in June/July. In addition to the
Growth Strategy, a masterplan would be
developed for the area surrounding the station which would focus on
the economic impacts and accessibility including public transport
and connectivity. The Economic Growth Manager proposed arranging a
visit for scrutiny members to the key development sites.
Members supported the appointment of a project
manager and development of a Growth Strategy as it would enable
Chesterfield to maximise the opportunities on offer with HS2.
However, they had concerns with the transport provision and the
effect that other large developments would have on access to the
town centre and station. Members suggested options to improve town
centre connectivity and also felt that the environment needed to be
considered in the strategy as an increase in traffic would drive up
pollution levels. The Economic Growth Manager replied that a park
and ride system had been discussed as the south side of
Chesterfield was already suffering from traffic access issues.
Parking within the town centre also needed to be considered as
there would be an increased demand on parking spaces. The plans for
HS2 were still proposals and Chesterfield needed to demonstrate its
ability to facilitate the necessary developments that would need to
take place for the proposals to be realised.
Members asked how the recruitment and training would be carried out for the HS2 maintenance depot in Staveley and if there would be a focus on local employment. The Economic Growth Manager informed Members that the need for skilled workers from the local population would form part of the Growth Strategy and conversations were on-going with colleges to discuss the training required for these roles.
In response to questions from Members following the recent County Council elections, the Economic Growth Manager advised that the HS2 route would benefit the whole of Derbyshire and it was hoped that this would be recognised.
Members thanked the Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy, Economic Growth Manager and Executive Director for attending and providing the update.
RESOLVED –
1. That the update be noted.
2. That a visit to the key HS2 development sites in the borough for Scrutiny Members be arranged.
3. That a further update be brought to the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum at a date to be confirmed.