Agenda item

(i)         Joint Report of the Corporate Director of Resources and the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth

(ii)       Presentation by the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth

The Committee considered a joint report of the Corporate Director Resources and Corporate Director Regeneration, Economy and Growth which provided an update on the progress made in relation to the recommendations contained in the Economy and Enterprise OSC scrutiny review report looking at the support provided to the retail sector by Durham County Council (for copy of report and slides of presentation see file of Minutes).

G Paul, Head of Development and Housing provided a detailed presentation which provided information regarding retail pressures, changing retail patterns, growth in online retailing, details on national policy, vacant units, and the current scope of retail support services in County Durham. He went on to provide a snapshot of some of the work undertaken to date on targeted business improvements in County Durham.

The presentation then went on to highlight service inputs and how those were co-ordinated via Town Based Co-ordination Groups, Town Partnerships and AAPs alongside the various funding programmes available, such as DCC capital programme, Towns and Villages Programme, Reopening High Street Safely Fund and the Welcome Back Fund.

In terms of what was next, the Economic Development Manager highlighted retail trends and opportunities to be seen in 2022, including repurposing retail floorspace, retailtainment, discount retail growth and ongoing support for independent retailers. The presentation also highlighted retail support priorities in this regard and provided details of footfall in Seaham Town Centre alongside visitor count information.

Councillor Batey added that she found the presentation to be very informative and welcomed the updated position on the masterplans for local towns. She did however feel that more could be done to improve communications regarding some of the good repurposing work that was being done and to explain the varying issues across our town centres.  She also suggested that more could also be done through AAP consultations to better spread the messages around the community to allow for a better understanding of why certain thing were happening with town centres, the need for town centres to evolve and change to meet the changing needs of residents.

The Head of Development and Housing acknowledged the councillors’ comments in relation to pro-active communication and agreed to take this away.

Councillor McKeon added that she noted that many businesses had been forced to or were facing closure in part due to the cost of rents charged in some areas, mainly Durham City and asked what could be done to help these businesses. In addition, she noted that as a regular bus user, she found that when she was undertaking a large shopping trip and using public transport, there is no provision at bus stops to put shopping bags whilst waiting, resulting in you having to place bags on the floor. She therefore queried whether there was any scope to review how larger shopping areas can better accommodate bus users.

In response the Head of Development and Housing explained that cost of rents was only half the equation, as footfall and income had also decreased massively in recent years however acknowledged that business premises rents were a challenging issue to resolve although the council working with partners are repurposing town centres..

In addition, the Economic Development explained that there had however been successes seen through active engagement with local owners, for example in Chester-Le-Street where lower rent had resulted in repurposing or reuse of premises to increase occupancy whilst promoting the shop local message. In response to the reference made to the Arnison Centre and facilities at bus stops he noted that as this was privately owned the council had less traction to request these improvements, however noted the councillor’s comments.

Councillor Miller asked whether those departments within the council who supported retail business are all in agreement that this was a top priority for the council as he was concerned that without full support from across DCC the high street would continue to decline. He highlighted his concern for family run businesses in local communities.

The Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth explained that this was a county council priority with Town Centre regeneration the most strategic priority.

Resolved:

That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.