Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced the report and explained that town centres faced escalating economic challenges and the current patterns of property ownership hampered attempts to help them to adapt.

            The report acted as the first stage in the process of developing an ambitious but deliverable programme of interventions to support the reinvention and regeneration of town centres in Flintshire.

            The intention of the programme was to:

·         Reduce the number of long-term empty properties in town centres;

·         Reduce the overall quantum of retail provision in town centres by repurposing units on the fringes;

·         Find more sustainable uses for retail units and increase community enterprises on the High Streets;

·         Plan to repurpose less viable shopping centres;

·         Develop starter units for new retail enterprises in town centres;

·         Encourage private sector investment in town centre properties; and

·         Co-ordinate and support other Flintshire County Council portfolio interventions to maximise the regenerative effects of investment and resource.

Details of the projects within the programme and what they would include were outlined in the report.  Also outlined in the report were details of the next steps that had been identified.

The Chief Executive explained that the region was due to switch from response to recovery due to the positive position it was in, in managing the pandemic.  One of the six themes of recovery was town centre regeneration and evidence would be provided to governments when seeking funding.

In response to a question from Councillor Bithell, the Chief Officer explained that the local authority did have the power to intervene in empty properties, with the assistance of the support package from Welsh Government (WG) outlining enforcement powers, with some of the worst examples of properties not being looked after, to bring them back into good use in the interests of the local community and town centres.

Councillor Thomas spoke about positive initiatives that would help town centres, citing the repair café in Buckley and pop-up shops.  The Chief Officer explained that this proposal was taking those steps one stage further, by taking a property and repurposing it.

In response to a question from Councillor Mullin, the Chief Officer explained that work would be done in partnership with Town Centre Managers and Town Councils.

Councillor Jones stressed the importance of people with learning and physical disabilities, mental health and dementia, being considered as part of the process.  The Chief Officer said a report on specific town centres was being prepared and he would ensure those points were included.

RESOLVED:

That the role of the Council in regenerating town centres through property-focussed interventions be agreed.