Agenda item
RHYL GOING FORWARD PROGRAMME - QUARTERLY REPORT
To consider a report by the Economic and Business
Development Manager (copy enclosed), which seeks Members’ observations on the progress achieved to date with
delivering the Rhyl Going Forward Programme.
9.35 a.m.
Minutes:
A
copy of a report by
the Economic and Business Development Manager, which provided
information regarding progress in terms implementing the Rhyl
Going Forward (RGF) Regeneration Strategy, had been circulated with the papers
for the meeting.
Councillor
H.H. Evans introduced and provided a detailed summary of the report. The most recent Programme Update reports been
attached as Appendices 1a to 1d. These
demonstrated that in terms of the four workstreams of
the programme:-
·
West Rhyl Regeneration Area had a current status of Yellow
·
Town
Centre had a current status of Red
·
Seafront
and Tourism had a current status of Yellow
·
Live
and Work in Rhyl had a current status of Orange
West Rhyl – Confirmation had now been received
from the Welsh Government (WG) with respect to the Compulsory Purchase Orders
(CPOs) on the respective blocks. The
selection process for the appointment of the Design Team for the Green Space
had been completed, but the final appointment would potentially be delayed
until receipt of confirmation of the CPO to avoid any potential abortive costs. Members were informed that the next phase of
demolition in Gronant Street had now commenced
Town Centre – The
Leader explained that the bid submitted by Denbighshire, to the WG’s Vibrant
and Viable Places programme, for £12 million funding to support the
regeneration of the Town Centre had been unsuccessful. One possible reason for the bid’s failure was
the change of WG Minister responsible for the programme and the subsequent
change of emphasis towards housing. He
confirmed that work was continuing with partners, local Members and the Town
Council to develop a strategy for the Town Centre and to seek alternative
funding mechanisms as part of the wider process for developing the Town Plan
for Rhyl.
In reply to
concerns expressed by Councillor W. Mullen-James regarding the change of criteria during the Vibrant and Viable Places
programme bidding process, the Leader confirmed he had made strong
representations to the respective Minister and it had been implied that the bid
to the Vibrant and Viable Places Scheme had not been appropriate for this
aspect of the Rhyl Going Forward Programme. Councillor Mullen-James agreed to pursue the
matter through the appropriate political channels.
Options were
currently being explored to replace the Town Centre Manager post. These included having a more focused role
looking at promoting and finding tenants for empty properties in the town
centre. The scope of
similar posts in other towns were currently being studied. The opening of the LEGO Innovation Centre at
the former Bee and Station Hotel had taken place on the 20th
September.
Seafront and
Tourism - Work was continuing on the development of the case for new leisure
facilities along the coast. The Honey
Club had been demolished and the Development Agreement with Chesham Estates had
been approved by Cabinet. Designs for
the new hotel were being developed and a planning application would be
submitted by the end of the year.
The bridge was due
to be opened the following week and works on the harbour building and square were
scheduled to be completed in early 2014.
Rhyl Going Forward Group Programme Board - The
Leader emphasised that the Rhyl Going Forward Group
Programme Board was a strategic group and that its remit was not to focus on
day to day issues.
Live and Work in Rhyl – The new mountain biking track at Glan
Morfa was almost complete, and the design of the new
school building at Rhyl High School was
progressing. The Coastal Team Leader
(CTL) confirmed that smaller issues pertaining to Rhyl
would be pursued through the development of a Town and Area Plan, and work on
promoting Rhyl as a place to live and invest or work
would be developed.
Details pertaining
to the Corporate Priorities, Priority 1 and Priority 6,
had been incorporated in the report, together with, cost implications,
consultation process and possible risks and the steps implemented to address
them.
During the ensuing
discussion, the following responses were provided to issues and concerns raised by Members:-
- The Leader
explained that he was unaware of any negative impact on the 21st Century
Schools programme following the recent announcement of funding cuts. He agreed to raise the matter with the WG
Minister for Education and Skills, and expressed the view that the Rhyl High School project should not be adversely affected
by the cuts. The Leader referred to the
previous lack of investment in schools and the need to review the strategic
approach to investment in schools.
- Members were
informed by the CTL that Rhyl Town Centre had met the
requirements and criteria in the original guidance, and had been the only town
in the county eligible to bid for a grant from the Vibrant and Viable Places
funding stream. It was explained that
the town centre was the only area in Rhyl which had
not been addressed by other projects and initiatives in the Town.
-
The CTL
referred to the possible support for the Rhyl Town
Centre Strategy through the new European programme which would be commencing in
2014. He explained that the Rhyl Town Centre Manager’s post had been reviewed by all
the partners, who were examining good practice elsewhere, and details of the
funding stream for the post were provided.
Members were informed that work pertaining to the branding and the
web-site had been undertaken by the Council’s Communications, Marketing and
Leisure Services.
-
Councillor
H.C. Irving highlighted the importance of the Housing Improvement Project in
progressing and improving the Rhyl area. He made reference to the need for a change of
culture and the significance of adopting an ethos towards owner occupation.
- Rhyl had not previously benefitted from a Town and Area
Plan. The creation of such a plan for Rhyl would help to bring all workstreams
and projects in the Rhyl area together to complement
each other. The Corporate Priority
Budget was a County wide budget and bids in respect of priorities identified
from all settlements would be considered.
-
With
respect to Pont y Ddraig contractors would provide
Denbighshire staff with training for the operation of the new bridge, and
staffing costs would be incorporated in the operational costs of the
harbour. The Leader confirmed that the
creation of an income source from the bridge was being examined, together with,
a 25 year plan for its operational costs.
The Chair explained that details of costs had previously been presented
to Scrutiny and the income potential had been positive and the business case
presented had been favorable. The CTL explained that the project had encompassed the improvement and expansion
of facilities in the harbour and not just the provision of the new bridge.
-
In
response to a request from the Chair, it was agreed that the maintenance
agreement, and long-term operational costs of the new bridge, be presented to
Scrutiny for consideration when completed.
-
Surveys
had been undertaken to seek the views of residents and visitors to Rhyl regarding their perception of the town including the
impact of the initiatives introduced under the RGF Programme.
-
In
response to a question regarding the reduction in the provision of disabled
parking spaces in Rhyl, the CTL explained that a
report on the Council’s Parking Enforcement Strategy and its impact on economic
development would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.
-
The Head
of Housing and Community Development (HHCD) explained that the WG was currently
in the process of reviewing priority groups for rehousing and it was likely
that ex-offenders would not be afforded a priority as they were as
present. He highlighted the need to
re-balance the housing market in West Rhyl by
reducing the number of multiple occupancy properties and attracting families to
the area. Councillor R.M. Murray referred
to the need to improve employment prospects to assist in transforming the culture and ethos of the area, the Leader
responded and referred to the work being undertaken in respect of the Rhyl City Strategy which involved working in partnership to
create employment in the area.
In response to
concerns expressed by the Chair regarding the importance of the inclusion of
consistent and clearly defined objectives in the report to measure the
initiatives being undertaken, the Leader explained that the colour status
provided in the report related to the general status of the project in
question.
The CTL responded
to concerns raised by the Chair regarding the need for a strategic document to
incorporate the entire Rhyl Plan, he referred to the
development of the Town and Area Plan and Town Centre Strategy which would
assist in coordinating and delivering the work streams. Following an in-depth discussion the
Committee:
RESOLVED – subject to the above observations, to receive the report and note the
progress made.
Councillor H O Williams left the meeting at this juncture.
Supporting documents:
- RGF Report, item 5. PDF 78 KB
- RGF App 1a, item 5. PDF 128 KB
- RGF App 1b, item 5. PDF 97 KB
- RGF App 1c, item 5. PDF 112 KB
- RGF App 1d, item 5. PDF 110 KB
- RGF App 2, item 5. PDF 97 KB