Agenda item

The Council working closely with the local community, Ward Councillors and Sponsoring Cabinet Member have now created a project framework capable of delivering the objectives of the London Road Scheme. Approval is sought from Cabinet on the project framework and budget to deliver projects within this framework.

Lawrence Buabeng (Chair, Snow Hill Skills and Enterprise Initiative) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] appealed to the Cabinet to focus on enhancing skills and fitness projects in Snow Hill as well as dealing with the build environment in London Road.

Murray Jones (Chair of the community arm of the Council’s London Road Regeneration Project) in a statement observed that of the 12 members of the gateway group, 3 were from Snow Hill so he felt there had been very diverse representation from local communities.  He acknowledged that funds would be limited to achieve what everyone had been hoping for.  His group had been working with the Council and was pleased that progress was being made.

Councillor Lisa Brett in a statement said she felt the proposals would help to create new jobs and opportunities for local people.  The top 3 concerns of people in the area were traffic, parking and the built environment and the proposals would make a huge contribution to these concerns.

Councillor Tim Warren made an ad hoc statement in which he emphasised the importance of regenerating this gateway into the city.  He reminded Cabinet however that the problem of pollution on the London Road would remain to be dealt with.

Councillor Cherry Beath in proposing the item thanked the speakers for their contributions.  She replied to Lawrence Buabeng by saying that she was aware of his tireless work to improve the skills and opportunities for people in Snow Hill.  She said that the proposals being considered by Cabinet would only be a first step and that in this instance it was the built environment that was being tackled.  Improving skills would be for a subsequent initiative.  She offered to meet with Lawrence to discuss these issues.

Councillor Beath reminded Councillor Tim Warren that the Cabinet had been in power for only a year, but had at last made progress on some of the longstanding issues for the London Road area.  She emphasised that the objectives had been defined by public consultation; they were to arrest the decline of the area by giving attention to the street facades and to traffic flow.  She moved proposals which were slightly amended from the published report.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal.  He welcomed the much needed investment and observed that 3 of the worst buildings were in fact owned by the Council, two of which had been brought back into use already.  He emphasised that the London Road was a gateway to the city and was the first impression gained by many visitors.  He hoped that the proposals would be one step in encouraging the local community.

Councillor Roger Symonds agreed.  He emphasised that the proposals were not aimed at improving the transport problems, but said that Cabinet was actively considering the options for addressing this.  He gave credit to his predecessor, Councillor Charles Gerrish, for addressing the HGV issues.

Councillor Tim Ball said that the dilapidated buildings had been depressing but he was delighted that they would now be dealt with.

On a motion from Councillor Cherry Beath, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To APPROVE the project framework and the Governance structure; and

(2) To AUTHORISE the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development to approve individual allocations of the budget.