Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

            Councillor Butler introduced the Town Centre Regeneration report which had been produced in response to the following key three drivers:

1.    Continuing challenging economic conditions being faced by town centres in the UK;

2.    A commitment in the 2018/19 Council Plan to develop a response; and

3.    Concerns expressed by Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee Members over the viability of Flintshire town centres and the need for the Council to establish a proactive response.

The report summarised the economic challenges facing town centres which were impacting on their sustainability.  A series of proposed responses were outlined to increase the diversity of uses in towns, to strengthen the role of local stakeholder groups and to support businesses to adapt and compete more efficiently.

The Council had invested significant resources in strengthening local community leadership, and the following examples were cited:

·         Working with Holywell stakeholders on the development of new governance for the leisure centre and on the trial reopening of the High Street to traffic;

·         Supporting Buckley Town Council in developing a long term action plan for the town;

·         Bringing together Flint stakeholders to steer the transformational regeneration of the town and to develop their aspirations for the foreshore area;

·         Working with Deeside stakeholders to develop a long term aspirational strategy for the area and securing major Welsh Government (WG) investment towards its delivery; and

·         Supporting stakeholders in Mold to develop a long term town plan and establishing a governance model for managing community green space.

Councillor Bithell welcomed the report and the significant proposals to help the challenges faced by town centres.  He commented on the number of units within towns that were not owned by local businesses and the difficulties faced by trying to make contact with absentee landlords, and asked what could be done to encourage engagement with the Council.  He also commented on the upper rooms of units not being used which could be utilised to address the housing shortage.  Councillor Butler said contact had tried to be made on numerous occasions over recent years to little or no avail but the Council would continue to try.

            Councillor Thomas commented on the development of Business Improvement Districts (BID) which were companies established by the local business community to make investments in their area that improved business trading conditions, attracted customers and reduced operating costs.  There were over 300 BIDs in the UK and the feasibility of developing a BID in Mold town centre was being investigated. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the proposed approach to supporting the regeneration of town centres in Flintshire be approved; and

(b)       That delegated authority be given to the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development to bid for external funding as it becomes available to support the approaches to town centre regeneration.