Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader and Lead Member for the Economy and Corporate Governance (copy enclosed) presenting the final version of the Rhyl Town Centre Vision document and proposed approach to the governance and resourcing of its delivery.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       supports the long term aspirations and 8 key ideas outlined within the Vision document (Appendix 2 to the report), and

(b)       confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 to the report) as part of its consideration and commits the Council to focusing on delivery of the long term positive wellbeing impacts contained within it.

The Leader presented the report and final version of the Rhyl Town Centre Vision document and proposed approach to the governance and resourcing of its delivery.

The Council had worked collaboratively over the last eighteen months engaging with a range of people and partners to develop a collective vision for Rhyl Town Centre which focused on: delivering a vibrant and balanced mix of uses; improved ease of access to the town centre and pedestrian flows around the town centre, and a desirable town centre atmosphere.  Eight key ideas had been generated and work was underway to develop them into a forward work programme of priorities and projects over the fifteen year life of the Vision.  This would form the basis of a draft programme implementation plan for the Rhyl Programme Board to progress.

The Leader referred to the considerable investment and improvements in Rhyl over recent times and the need to plan for developing the town centre with a Vision which reflected local aspirations through an extensive engagement process, and which complemented existing plans and investment with a coordinated approach.  The Economic and Business Development Team & Programme Manager provided some background to the creation of the Vision document and comprehensive engagement process, highlighting the main emerging themes and key projects to progress the keys ideas, and provided an overview of ongoing projects and those already underway in order to take advantage of current regeneration funding opportunities and with a view to bringing in private sector investment.

The Leader also referred to the work of the Rhyl Community Development Board in complementing the master plan and addressing social issues and the Chief Executive explained the role of the Board, comprising of senior leaders of statutory sectors, to consider how to maximise the collective benefit of the investment and planned regeneration more widely in Rhyl to coordinate and maximise opportunities in terms of employment, health, education, community safety and housing.  The Council had also decided to invest in a Community Development Officer in Rhyl to work alongside and complement workers from statutory agencies, the voluntary sector and community groups to help direct and maximise funding opportunities and resources, to report both to the Board and to Rhyl Reference Group to ensure political involvement, and reports would also be brought back to Cabinet.  The Board had set stringent targets based on deprivation indicators with the intention of capturing the impact that investment had on residents.

Cabinet welcomed the document as a means of providing a clear focus for the town centre and its regeneration and to give confidence and create a better long term future for Rhyl.  The comprehensive engagement process and collaborative efforts in producing the Vision was also welcomed.  Main discussion points included –

·         in terms of prioritisation and planning projects members were advised that the Vision document set out a long term programme and projects would be prioritised using the corporate methodology based on measurable benefits and outcomes; assurances were provided regarding flexibility within the plan to respond to opportunities as they presented if funding became available, similarly if there was private sector interest it would be possible to accelerate a particular project to secure private sector investment and maximise benefits

·         the Chief Executive reported upon the physical regeneration of Rhyl which was clearly visible when visiting the town and the long term regeneration plans, and highlighted the challenge to ensure that the investment to infrastructure would impact positively on local residents and living standards.  She had visited all of the county’s ward areas and engaged with local businesses and residents when visiting Rhyl highlighting the importance of listening to the communities served

·         Councillor Richard Mainon welcomed the Community Development Officer post in order to maximise benefits and outcomes and was keen for Cabinet to receive feedback in that regard – it was confirmed consideration was being given to securing member involvement on both the regeneration and community development elements and the intention was also to provide update reports to both Cabinet and local members.  There were no elected members on the Community Development Board because it comprised of a senior officer group to discuss operational and practical issues.

The Leader invited questions from non-Cabinet members –

·         Councillor Joan Butterfield thanked the Council on behalf of Rhyl residents for their dedication to Rhyl regeneration and for the local contributions in the Vision document.  With regard to future community engagement assurances were provided that the Council would continue to engage with the local community over the long term as the master plan progressed

·         Councillor Meirick Davies was keen for investment in Trefnant and members acknowledged the need for spend in other ward areas and discussed potential funding sources for different projects in different areas – it was noted that some regeneration projects in Rhyl were eligible for grant funding but for more rural areas there was potential for wind farm funding for local projects.  With regard to a question regarding historic buildings in Rhyl, assurances were provided regarding the Council’s commitment in that regard with action having been taken around improving and preserving historical buildings in the town

·         Councillor Gwyneth Kensler referred to the amount of investment in Rhyl over many years and whether there had been an assessment of outcomes.  It was agreed that lessons could be learned from the past but past investment had not been sustainable and the plan would look to the future and facilitate improvements in living standards, not just capital investment.  In terms of revenue implications assurances were provided that this was a consideration by the Strategic Investment Group at the business case stage of individual projects

·         Councillor Barry Mellor also voiced his support for the Vision document and highlighted the benefits of regeneration work already undertaken, particularly with regard to the two new schools, and he was assured that the Vision provided the necessary confidence in the town’s future.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       supports the long term aspirations and 8 key ideas outlined within the Vision document (Appendix 2 to the report), and

(b)       confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 to the report) as part of its consideration and commits the Council to focusing on delivery of the long term positive wellbeing impacts contained within it.