Agenda item

(i)              Joint Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Development.

(ii)             Presentation by Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chairman invited Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance, Andy Palmer to speak to Members in relation to the Regeneration and Economic Development (RED) Investment Plan (for copy see file of minutes).

The Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance noted the strategic and policy context for the RED Investment Plan, namely the fragile economic recovery, change in Government, the developing devolution agenda and asset led public investment. 

It was added that accordingly, the approach was for:

·         Strong ambitions and delivering growth

·         Addressing market failure

·         Supporting infrastructure development

·         Collaboration and partnership working

·         Securing resources and gap funding

·         Promoting and playing to our strengths

It was explained that utilising the assets of County Durham included the strong A1 and A19 connections and this was also an area the NELEP had identified for development.  Members noted the addressing of market failure referred to housing and industrial estates, however, also included people in the context of diverting people to the appropriate training to support new industry.  It was added that local strategies would help prioritise and deliver change, with the Investment Plan and Pipeline being to determine the top areas for investment.  Members also noted the securing of resources included EU funding; LGF, RGF and RED Capital budgets and delivery would be supported by a robust project management approach.

The Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance explained that the Investment Plan was to help deliver the ambitions of the Regeneration Statement, namely: Developing a Thriving Durham City; Creating a Top Location for Business; Developing our Vibrant and Successful Towns; Supporting our Sustainable Neighbourhoods and Rural Communities; and Developing our Competitive People.  It was reiterated that this would be measured via: employment rate; GVA; number of businesses; disposable household income; and reducing deprivation.  Councillors noted that while Durham City was a key driver, not all investment was within the City, and that the focus was on being able to unlock private sector investment.  It was explained that projects included investments at: North Road; Durham Bus Station; Aykley Heads and the feasibility of relocating County Hall; Park and Ride; Durham City Urban Traffic Control; works to Millburngate Bridge; and land slip at Pelaw Woods, highlighting where a health and safety issue occurred this would result in an automatic inclusion into the capital programme.      

The Committee noted that in terms of creating a top location for business it would be important to build upon our successes, such as Aycliffe Business Park and NETPark, and that 2015/16 investments included: Merchant Park Phase 2, NETPark Phases 2 and 3; and EU ESIF activities to provide business support and skills development.  Members noted that in support of our towns, Masterplans were developed for the major settlements, which included elements such as: shop front improvements; additional car parking; site acquisitions and demolitions to make way for further investment and development; hard landscaping and road improvements.  Councillors noted the use of s106 Agreements and DCC funding to help support shop owners, with town centres now offering more “services” as trade for goods themselves moves more towards delivery via the internet.

Members learned that in supporting sustainable neighbourhoods and rural communities there were a number of activities with examples in 2015/16 being: group repairs at Craghead; the South Moor Regeneration Programme; acquisitions and demolitions at West Chilton; and the Empty Homes Cluster Bid, 120 homes brought back into use in Easington, Dawdon, Chilton and Craghead.  Members noted that changes in Council Tax legislation relating to empty properties had helped tackle such issues. 

The Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance explained that in developing competitive and successful people it was important to raise the aspirations of people within the County, but also to increase participation and attainment to best support people in accessing new opportunities as they arise. 

Members were reminded of the work ongoing in this respect, including: the County Durham Apprenticeship Programme, with 25 apprentices within the RED service alone, supported by grants from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS); the continuation of the Council’s successful Targeted Recruitment and Training (TRT) scheme that help secure investment in local people at the planning stage; the number of EU funded skills development programmes, such as the YEI; Disabled Facility Grants to help people live independently; and the triage system in place to help mitigate the impact of Welfare Reform.

The Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance reminded Members that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme was now for the new County Durham Housing Association and therefore the Capital Programme for RED for 2015/16 comprised of Economic Development and Housing (£13.104 million), Planning and Assets (£9.250 million), Transport and Contract Services (£16.893 million) and a £500,000 contingency, totalling £39.747 million.  Members were referred to the major themes for the spend over the 2015/16 to 2017/18 period and most significant in terms of capital for Economic Development included: office accommodation; town centres; DFGs; and housing renewal.  In terms of Planning and Assets and Transport and Contract Services, the major themes were: renewable energies technologies; structural maintenance (including school demolitions); the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and investment in transport corridors and major improvements.  Councillors noted where EU funding could be accessed in terms of themes and were asked to note that the opportunities ahead included:

·         An opportunity to improve infrastructure, the use of our assets, skills and business support

·         Greater collaboration through the NECA and development of the Devolution Prospectus

·         Continually developing and managing the project pipeline and wider investment planning      

The Chairman thanked the Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance and asked Members for their questions on the presentation.

Councillor C Kay noted, as a cyclist, that Durham City was very difficult to negotiate, with issues at the Honest Lawyer junction and the City Centre itself being very hard to pass through and not very cycle friendly.  The Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance explained that there was a new Walking and Cycling Strategy and that there were several grants being applied for in terms of walking and cycling schemes and he would bring back further information to Members accordingly.  Councillor C Kay noted he would be interested in getting the experiences of cyclists, with Councillor N Foster adding that strategies were at public consultation.

Councillor S Zair noted the investment being made at Bishop Auckland Castle and asked if there were any plans for developments such as a Park and Ride, as he felt additional car parking alone may not be sufficient. 

The Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance noted there were no plans for such a Park and Ride scheme within the next year, however, developments at Bishop Auckland would be monitored and reviewed as regards their impact over the next 2-5 years.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.