Issue - meetings

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) has created a High Streets and District Centres Strategy (Appendix 1) to ensure high streets and district centres are fit for the future, becoming vibrant, thriving and enjoyable locations for everyone. At its heart is the intent to positively and proactively intervene where and if appropriate.

The Strategy looks at our high streets and district centres through the lens of economic growth, focusing on creating an environment for economic vibrancy and enabling a high quality, world-class visitor experience. It is designed to set the objectives and form the framework for a series of more detailed project-specific Action Plans. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)       Support and adopt the High Streets and District Centres Strategy as a?framework for?the future of the?high streets and district centres in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area (BCP area);

(b)       Recognise that delivery of the Strategy using Action Plans is an evolving process;  

(c)       Understand that the Strategy could be subject to further consultation;

(d)       Enable the Strategy to be made into a visually appealing document for publication;  

(e)       Delegate responsibility to the Director, Economic Development to analyse the ‘Reimagining Your High Streets’ Engagement HQ report and, if required, commission activities to create Action Plans for high streets and district centres in the BCP area; and

(f)        Authorise the Director, Economic Development to apportion £100,000 to undertake these initial Action Plans and fund appropriate projects, in accordance with the Officer Decision Record for Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG4) dated July 2021, and identified in part 2 (c) of Stream 4 – ‘Funding partners to provide Town & District Centre Support (£275k)’

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

The Strategy will help deliver the Council’s strategic aims and objectives including the Dynamic Places, Connected Communities and Sustainable Environment objectives in the Corporate Strategy. It is therefore recommended that BCP Council supports the High Streets and District Centres Strategy.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) has created a High Streets and District  Centres Strategy (Appendix 1), and that the aim of this was to ensure that high streets and district centres are fit for the future, becoming vibrant, thriving and enjoyable locations for everyone.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that at its heart is the intent to positively and proactively intervene where and if appropriate.

Cabinet was further advised that the Strategy looks at our high streets and district centres through the lens of economic growth, focusing on creating an environment for economic vibrancy and enabling a high quality, world-class visitor experience, and that it is designed to set the objectives and form the framework for a series of more detailed project-specific Action Plans. 

The Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board had welcomed the report and that they were looking forward to the next phase.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)        Support and adopt the High Streets and District Centres Strategy as a?framework for?the future of the?high streets and district centres in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area (BCP area) 

(b)        Recognise that delivery of the Strategy using Action Plans is an evolving process 

(c)        Understand that the Strategy could be subject to further consultation 

(d)        Enable the Strategy to be made into a visually appealing document for publication 

(e)        Delegate responsibility to the Director, Economic Development to analyse the ‘Reimagining Your High Streets’ Engagement HQ report and, if required, commission activities to create Action Plans for high streets and district centres in the BCP area

(f)         Authorise the Director, Economic Development to apportion £100,000 to undertake these initial Action Plans and fund appropriate projects, in accordance with the Officer Decision Record for Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG4) dated July 2021, and identified in part 2 (c) of Stream 4 – ‘Funding partners to provide Town & District Centre Support (£275k)’

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning