Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which provided an update on the delivery of the Towns and Villages Programme and sought approval of the Towns and Villages Investment Plan 2024/26 (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor E Scott, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economy and Partnerships thanked the Team for their brilliant work reflected throughout the report. This highlighted the positive local action and extensive work taken at a local level to engage and understand local issues for communities and businesses. The programme was transformative as the Council had reacted to the loss of high street names and the rise in online shopping, as well as the issues caused by the covid pandemic.

Highlights and achievements of the programme had seen support provided to 261 business, the creation of 84 new town centre businesses and the creation of over 500 jobs. Significant progress had been made against the agreed investment plan and the appended programme continued to follow the investment themes agreed in 2021. This included delivery of more regional pop up opportunities in towns, a continuation of delivery plan improvements linked to smaller towns and neighbourhood parades, delivery of the first phase of housing led regeneration in Horden, a continuing focus on addressing town centre property vacancies by encouraging the conversion and reuse of property, delivering more walking and cycling routes linked to employment sites and town centres. Specialist markets held countywide had also increased footfall and generated interest from new traders. The Council could take confidence in their approach as they were making a real difference, not seen anywhere else within the North East.

Councillor J Rowlandson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Resources, Investments and Assets said that the programme demonstrated the value and benefits of making investments across the county. The Council had also benefitted from significant other funding contributed through other sources. In seconding the recommendations, Councillor Rowlandson commented that the Town and Villages programme was an effective model and provided positive evidence that could be shared with colleagues at the North East Combined Authority as they developed their emerging programmes.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.