Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which provided an update on the Towns and Villages programme.  The report sought agreement to the Towns and Villages Investment Plan and an additional £5 million investment to support the COVID-19 recovery priorities and provide each Area Action Partnership with a budget to deliver local priorities raised by communities (for copy see file of minutes).

Prior to asking a question on the plan, Councillor Wilkes, local member for Framwellgate and Newton Hall division, thanked Cabinet members and officers for their hard work throughout a very difficult year.

Referring to the scheme planned for Framwellgate Moor, Councillor Wilkes asked Cabinet to confirm the amount of investment, how the money will be spent, and, whether the date of 2022 is the date the work will be completed by, or, the date by which the scheme is expected to have been designed by.

Councillor Marshall, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economic Growth,thanked Cllr Wilkes for his question and explained the plan aims to ensure that towns and villages are assisted to recover from the challenges experienced over the last ten months, particularly the most deprived communities. The Council will continue to develop an evidence base and realign budgets to maximise communities and use the extra money to ensure delivery against the greatest need, with £300,000 allocated to each Area Action Partnership to determine how it is spent.  Public consultation events held in October and November 2020 resulted in over 1,000 comments which identified a range of issues that the Council will tackle, using existing budgets, or, work with partners to focus on areas that require assistance. The additional £25 million allocated includes a core allocation of £2,750,000 for the neighbourhood parades project, to help drive these improvements forward.

Councillor Wilkes requested further clarification as to when the Framwellgate Moor scheme will go forward and he asked Councillor Marshall if he would be willing to work with him, to progress this matter on behalf of the residents of Framwellgate Moor.  Councillor Marshall agreed to arrange a meeting with Councillor Wilkes to discuss local priorities.

Councillor Shield, local member for Leadgate and Medomsley division, echoed Councillor Wilkes’ sentiments and thanked all Cabinet members and officers for their collaborative work during this unprecedented time.  Councillor Shield requested clarification on the rationale for determining the differences in the allocation of planned capital investment across County Durham in 2021-25.  He remarked on the proposed capital investment in the Derwent Valley which equates to an investment per head of population of £147, the second lowest investment per head of population across the whole of County Durham.  By comparison, the planned investment into other Area Action Partnership areas, for example Durham and Bishop Auckland/Shildon equates to more than £3,800 per head of population. He commented that the disparity in the planned investment is unjustifiable.  He observed that much has been made of the challenge for the Conservative government to level-up the country, and he asked Cabinet when, does it propose, to start levelling up the county.

Councillor Marshall thanked Councillor Shield for his question.  He responded that the Towns and Villages Investment Plan ensures the Council can identify issues and priorities raised by communities, and tackle them in a coordinated way. The programme is designed to ensure partners work consistently, ensuring investments maximise the outcomes for residents.  Key to its success is working in partnership, realigning existing budgets to resolve local issues, and, using the additional

£25 million identified to aim to level-up County Durham.  The Council will continue to identify more investment across the county, whether through the Council working proactively with social housing providers to ensure the right housing is located in the right places, or, through investment in town centres, assisting hospitality and retailers.  He emphasised the importance of collaborative work across the county, to ensure levels of investment from government.  Councillor Marshall concluded by saying it is his belief that the approach adopted is national best practice, providing extra bespoke support at a time when it is needed.

In moving the report, Councillor Marshall thanked the team for the community and partner engagement work and for bringing forward the plan.  He highlighted that the Council has continued to prioritise regeneration over the past ten years, despite enormous financial pressures brought about by austerity and the loss of the regional funding streams.  He expressed pride at bringing forward the £25 million investment plan including the additional £5 million to regenerate communities hit hardest by the pandemic and he referred to the significant monies already committed.  He provided assurance that the Council will continue to work with Area Action Partnerships to find solutions to challenges identified by communities, and, to assist long term recovery from the pandemic through ensuring priorities meet the needs of local people.

Councillor Marshall outlined some of the significant regeneration which is currently underway and referred to opportunities to improve connectivity, tourism and rural communities.  He added the Council recognises the importance of local neighbourhood retail areas and the reliance on local businesses, particularly during the pandemic.  He also spoke of the consultations with residents during Area Action Partnership meetings which identified the impact that empty and derelict buildings have on pride within communities, saying that work will continue to address these issues. 

Seconding the report, Councillor Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing and Assets, commented that the consultation events heard reports from residents on some unsuitable housing conditions throughout the county.

He remarked that the Town and Villages Investment Plan supports projects to tackle this and will make a significant contribution to improving housing conditions and access to quality housing.

He referred to initiatives such as the significant investment at Horden, the Selective Licensing Scheme, which aims to raise standards in the private rented sector, work to address empty homes through the Housing Opportunities Fund, and, the Green Homes fuel efficiency programme. 

Councillor Patterson, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Rural Issues, thanked all those involved in bringing forward the plan.  She observed that the plan recognises that all towns and villages across the county have different issues and priorities, with accessibility and affordability often being the biggest barriers.  Work with the Area Action Partnerships will ensure resources are targeted and that communities are at the heart of decision making.

The Chair spoke of his pleasure at attending all the Area Action Partnership consultation events held during October and November, adding he was pleased to see the enhanced budget for each area, to focus on their key issues, with a number of strands cross-cutting all areas of the county.  He thanked all those who participated in the events and encouraged further engagement over forthcoming months. 

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.