Agenda item
RHYL TOWN CENTRE MASTER PLAN AND VISION DOCUMENT
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.
Decision:
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.
Minutes:
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.
Supporting documents:
- RHYL TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN, item 5. PDF 144 KB
- Appendix 1 - WBIA Updated July 2019, item 5. PDF 295 KB
- Appendix 2b - Vision Booklet English, item 5. PDF 26 MB
- Appendix 3 - Final Rhyl Engagement Report, item 5. PDF 8 MB