Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval of the next phase of the two Clwyd West Levelling Up Fund projects in Ruthin.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)      notes the position of the approved Clwyd West Levelling Up projects in Ruthin;

(b)      approves the next phase of the project, commencement of the detailed design, and

(c)      confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as part of its consideration.

Councillor Barry Mellor presented the report seeking Cabinet approval of the next phase of the two Clwyd West Levelling Up Fund projects in Ruthin – public realm improvements to St. Peter’s Square and Cae Ddol Park.

The projects had been approved within the Council’s application for funding under round two of the UK Government Levelling Up Fund (LUF).  Details of the contracted outputs and what each scheme was projected to deliver had been detailed in the report together with progress to date.  The Traffic and Transportation Manager provided an overview of the report content including work to date on projects and details of the comprehensive consultation and engagement undertaken, including Ruthin Town Council and Ruthin Member Area Group, and the responses and findings of the wider public consultation.  Whilst there was broad support for both projects, Cabinet’s attention was drawn to the concerns identified for each scheme and proposed action to allay those concerns.  In terms of governance, a Stakeholder Group had been established together with a Project Board.

Main areas of debate focused on the following –

·       Cabinet welcomed the investment in Ruthin, recognising the improvements the projects would bring and benefits to the local area.  Whilst there was general local support for the projects, there was a need to respond to concerns raised and minimise the impact on businesses and residents during the improvement works, and the importance of continual, timely communication was further discussed

·       St. Peter’s Square – whilst the majority of consultation responses were in favour of the proposals steps would be taken to mitigate and address the concerns raised which included sharing the feedback from the consultation and continuing the engagement process with businesses and residents; concerns regarding parking could be addressed at the Traffic Order consultation stage with the opportunity to make amendments to parking restrictions, and concerns regarding loss of trade would be addressed with similar arrangements to the recent public realm improvement project in Llangollen and business liaison role undertaken by the contractor to work closely with local businesses to ensure disruption was minimised and issues were identified and addressed as soon as possible

·       Cae Ddol Play Park – Councillor Emrys Wynne advised that questions had been raised over the timing of the work to install the new accessible play park over the summer and explained that the Shared Prosperity Funding for the project had to be spent by the end of the year and it would have been unwise to delay that work.  He highlighted the excellent facilities being installed which would fit in with the overall masterplan for Cae Ddol and benefit children and their families in the area

·       Cae Ddol Toilet Block – early discussions were ongoing with Ruthin Town Council regarding the possibility of them taking over management of the toilet facilities if they were refurbished through LUF funding; local members would be kept informed of progress via the Stakeholder Group and Project Board.  Councillor Gwyneth Ellis reported on a similar arrangement with Corwen Town Council and advocated a meeting between the Town Councils to discuss the arrangement which worked well in Corwen.  Councillor Brian Jones was concerned about the public perception of investment in toilet facilities when their future was in doubt.  Officers confirmed there would be no investment without assurance of future provision and a pragmatic approach needed to be taken to link the review of public conveniences and discussions on LUF funding and investment in facilities

·       officers agreed to respond to questions raised by Councillor Bobby Feeley outside of the meeting once the position was known as to who would replace former MP David Jones as Chair of the Project Board and if any changes in the LUF arrangements were made following the recent change in the UK Government.  Updates on proposals for Ruthin Town Council to take over management of the toilet facilities would be via the Stakeholder Group and Project Board

·       St. Peter’s Square Concept Designs – Councillor Rhys Thomas drew attention to the illustrative image of the square which he did not consider to be in keeping with the surrounding area and detracted from the environmental and architectural value of the square.  Whilst acknowledging that the project had to have regard to services below the road, he requested that further consideration be given to provide some greenery to break the large hard surface.  It was noted that much work had been carried out on the design, including input from a Landscape Architect, but officers agreed to further consider the comments and request.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)      notes the position of the approved Clwyd West Levelling Up projects in Ruthin;

(b)      approves the next phase of the project, commencement of the detailed design, and

(c)      confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Wellbeing Impact Assessment as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as part of its consideration.