Agenda item

This report seeks to update on the regeneration ambition and strategy for the priority regeneration programme which includes the Former Power Station site at Holes Bay, Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre, Bournemouth Development Company and Boscombe Towns Fund projects. These projects were identified as strategic regeneration priorities on dissolution of Future Places. The report also provides a progress update on the property assets which formed part of the transfer to in-house activities on 1 November 2023.

The Leader and the Director of Investment and Development presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was advised that the report provided an update on the regeneration ambition and strategy for the priority regeneration programme which includes the Former Power Station site at Holes Bay, Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre, Bournemouth Development Company and Boscombe Towns Fund projects. These projects were identified as strategic regeneration priorities on dissolution of Future Places. The report also provides a progress update on the property assets which formed part of the transfer to in-house activities on 1 November 2023. The Board raised a number of issues in discussions on this item including:

• Asylum seeker housing & Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) - Whether this could help unlock difficult to develop sites, with long?term transfer to the HRA. It was confirmed that the Council had previous success in Rounds 1–3, including 16 homes and 8 new builds) and that Round 4 was underway. However, new build grants remained insufficient to make complex sites viable without additional subsidy.
• Boscombe Towns Fund – The Board asked about the membership, leadership and minutes of the Boscombe Towns Fund Board. The Board was advised that the external Better Boscombe site and the Council website would be updated so information was up to date, clear and consistent.
• Future scrutiny of regeneration – A number of questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting, seeking deeper scrutiny both strategically and on project governance. Alongside this the Board was urged to consider when and how the Board would scrutinise major schemes, rather than relying on pre-Cabinet scrutiny.
• Winter Gardens – It was suggested that this may reach decision?making earliest and could benefit from O&S input. An initial session on market conditions and viability to ground future scrutiny was proposed.
• The Growth Plan – The Board considered scrutiny of the BCP Growth Plan which was due to be adopted later in the year as the core strategic framework, with clearer objectives, timelines, and delivery plan, rather than jumping straight to site?by?site items. The need for structured work?programming taking account of this was affirmed. It was explained that the Growth Plan would set out a coherent investment menu across sites.
• Density, design and safety/viability – A suggestion was made for a workshop on density scenarios and urban design, including how higher density could deliver more affordable housing, and how Building Safety Act changes effected viability and built form.
• Affordable housing - The Board sought clarity on the definition of affordable housing, tenure/mix, and safeguards to ensure homes remain genuinely affordable and suitable for local needs.
• Commercial governance – It was suggested that there was a need for stronger contract scrutiny (including confidential material) to avoid mistakes. The Leader highlighted Cabinet’s collective decision?making and welcomed lessons learned from the Audit & Governance (A&G) Committee. The Director noted a forthcoming Carter’s Quay governance report to the A&G Committee and improved standard Heads of Terms for regeneration projects.
• Town & Parish Councils – The Board asked how emerging town councils would relate to regeneration. The Leader confirmed there would be no special status in decision?making but welcomed their role in placemaking alongside the Council’s statutory place leadership.
• Carter’s Quay next steps and timelines - The Board was advised that the Council was awaiting the administrator’s decision on assets. The Director added that the Council has made an offer,below Cabinet decision, threshold to acquire the land. Homes England would be launching a new programme in April, and viability would likely depend on grant availability.

RESOLVED that a small group be convened including Cllrs J Beesley, P Canavan and K Salmon to scope draft Key Lines of Enquiry on a number of the issues raised for future scrutiny in preparation of the O&S Work Programming process.

Voting Nem. Con.

RESOLVED the Overview and Scrutiny Board recommend to Cabinet that, to enable effective lobbying of Government in the future, the draft of the BCP Growth Plan be shared with O&S Board Members when available and that Overview and Scrutiny be embedded in the plan’s development and approval process.

Voting: Unanimous

The meeting adjourned at 7.35pm and resumed at 7:44pm.