Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services (copy attached) examining the effectiveness of the Programme Board’s work in delivering the regeneration programme.

 

10:15am – 11:00am

At this juncture, the Chair informed the Committee that the Leader, Councillor Jason McLellan and the Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services were both unable to attend the meeting, due to a prior arranged engagement.

 

The Joint Acting Head of Business Improvement (BIM), Nicola Kneale, introduced the Rhyl Regeneration Programme and Governance Report (previously circulated) to outline the work undertaken through the Rhyl Regeneration Programme. 

 

Rhyl Regeneration had been a Council (and Welsh Government (WG)) priority for many years due to the level of deprivation in the town.  The top 2 most deprived wards in Wales were located in West Rhyl, together with in and around the Town Centre.

 

A considerable amount of investment had taken place in the regeneration of Rhyl, supported by significant grant funding.

 

The current phase of regeneration activity built on the foundations laid over previous years with the focus on the regeneration of the Town Centre.

 

The Rhyl Regeneration Executive Group had been re-established in July 2020 as the Rhyl Regeneration Programme Board.  The Programme Board was responsible for overseeing the Council’s contribution to the delivery of the Town Centre Vision along with managing any Council led regeneration projects in the town.

 

Taking the lead from the Town Centre Vision, the focus of the Programme Board was divided into 5 main work streams:-

·         Retail and Commercial

·         Environment

·         Queens Buildings

·         Residential

·         Highways and Access.

 

The Joint Acting Head of Business Improvement (BIM), supported the Rhyl Community Development Board and was also a member of the Rhyl Regeneration Programme Board.  The Boards Chairs worked closely with the Leader of the Council and it ensured good communication between the two Boards, and the Council with work continuing towards the same goals.

 

The Public Protection, Regeneration & Economic Development Manager (PPR&EDM), Gareth Roberts, introduced the governance arrangements which support the work.

 

The Rhyl vision had been through a lengthy consultation process.   Up to recently the main source of funding had been from the Welsh Government (WG) but applications had recently been submitted to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

 

The PPR&EDM summarised the list of projects contained in Appendix 2.  The main projects were as follows -

 

Item 1 - Queens Building had been the largest project.  The original building had been demolished, but the construction of a new building had been delayed due to nesting seagulls.  The development included the construction of a food and market hall, flexible events space and association external public realm.  The main contractors had been appointed and were to set up the compound adjacent to the site. 

 

Item 13 – Gateway 1 & 2.  The council acquired 131 and 123-129 High Street to create a green space / public realm.  123-125 High Street had recently been demolished as the building had been in an extremely dangerous condition.  The road needed to be closed for the demolition to take place.  Designs for the site were currently being developed.

 

Item 11 – Public Realm Strategy.  This was part of the Levelling Up Fund and linked in to Item 9 – Reconnect the top of Rhyl High Street and the Beach.

 

There was still a large amount of work to be undertaken regarding shop fronts and the Enforcement Team were involved.

 

During discussions, the following points were raised –

·         The former Woolworth’s building at the top of the High Street was mentioned as an eyesore site.  Officers confirmed the owner of the property had been contacted and he was keen for work to be done.  There had also been issues with the glazing in the windows which had been a danger to pedestrians and the owner was tackling that issue.

·         Issue with cars parking on the pedestrian only part of the High Street as the barrier was no longer working.  It was confirmed that a temporary barrier would be put back in place and a consultant had been contacted for a more permanent solution.  Parking Enforcement officers were also increasing patrols in the area.

·         It was confirmed that the Levelling Up Fund bid by Denbighshire was a strong bid but the Council was waiting to hear whether it had been successful or not.  It that bid was unsuccessful WG would be approached as it was a key partner in the regeneration programme for Rhyl and other sources of funding would be explored.

·         Some of the points put forward were not appropriate for discussion at the Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting and members were advised to raise them at a meeting of the Rhyl Member Area Group.

·         The PPR&EDM undertook to circulate more detailed information on the different types of rental properties that would be developed as part of the programme, including Intermediate Rental Apartments.

·         It was suggested that the item be reviewed annually but if any member of Scrutiny wished to scrutinise any area of the regeneration plan they could put the proposal form forward for consideration prior to the 12-month period.

·         It was confirmed that there was a monthly update to Cabinet as part of the regular Finance report which detailed spending on Major Schemes report.  All members were welcome to attend that meeting to monitor the major schemes for the regeneration of Rhyl.

 

Councillor Brian Blakeley proposed the agreement of the report including an annual review be presented to Communities Scrutiny Committee, seconded by Councillor Michelle Walker.  The Committee:

 

RESOLVED subject to the above:  

(i)  to receive and agree the report; and

(ii)  request that a further monitoring report be presented to the Committee on an annual basis.