Decision details

The Executive considered a report which provided an update on the projects within the Government’s Towns Fund programme being delivered by Stevenage Borough Council and Stevenage Development Board partners.

In response to a Member’s request, the Assistant Director (Regeneration) agreed to provide a map showing the locations of the 22 underpasses to be given makeovers, once these had been agreed with Hertfordshire County Council.

In reply to a Member question regarding retail in the Town Centre, the Assistant Director (Regeneration) stated that the retail units in the Queensway scheme were fully let, with a mixture of uses.  He added that it was a difficult time for the retail sector nationally, but hoped that the additional 1,900+ jobs created by the Autolus development and the Forum redevelopment, together with the planned 3,000 new residential units in the Town Centre over the coming years, would naturally provide a demand and opportunities for new retail provision to serve those new employees and residents.

In response to a Member question regarding a spend comparison between SBC and other local authorities benefitting from Towns Fund monies, the Assistant Director (Regeneration) advised that the Council’s spend profile compared well to that of other recipients.  He commented that, at approximately halfway through the Towns Fund programme in terms of spend, SBC was amongst the higher performers (helped in part by a fully-resourced Regeneration Team which the Council had boldly invested in a number of years ago).  He stated that SBC’s spend level was at 80% of where it expected to be, although some of the larger items in terms of spend would occur in later years.  He was cautiously optimistic that SBC was achieving its ambitious Town Fund objectives when compared to other local authorities.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the progress of the ‘Transforming the Town Centre’ regeneration programme, specifically the progress of projects which are being delivered using grant funded Towns Fund allocations provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), be noted.

2.          That the progression of the Cycling and Pedestrian Connectivity (inc. Arts and Heritage Trail) project be authorised, the high-level budgets attributed to the three workstreams be approved, and the future collaboration with Environment and Economy and the Community Select Committees to support the delivery of these interventions be acknowledged.

3.          That the reprofiling of the Towns Fund expenditure profile, as shown in the 3^rd Quarter 2023/24 capital update report to the Executive, and following endorsement from the Stevenage Development Board, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.