Agenda item

To advise of the detail regarding the government’s Future High Streets (FHS) funding opportunity and agree an approach to submitting into the Expression of Interest stage the deadline for which is 22 March 2019.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised members of the detail regarding the government’s Future High Streets (FHS) funding opportunity and asked for an agreement to an approach tosubmitting into the Expression of Interest stage; the deadline for whichwas 22 March 2019.

Discussions included:

·       Axminster had a Regeneration Committee that were keen to move forward. With 850 new homes being built the population would increase by 26%

·       The need for commercial town centre buildings with resident accommodation above to improve the economy of the town centre

·       The North–South relief road was great for the environment and public safety but could have an impact of public footfall in the town centre

·       Could both submissions for Cranbrook and Axminster be sent?

·       Cranbrook deserved future high street funding as was a ‘future town’ with a young person demographic

·       Axminster residents had longer journeys to larger shops such as in Taunton and Exeter

·        We should nurture a town on the outskirts of East Devon

·       Each town would need to be ready to get the scheme off the ground with the right people and ideas in place

·       Axminster was an older town needing regeneration. Businesses were pulling out and the old town centre required investment

·       Cranbrook was not to end up a dormitory town, it need a kick start to the development of its high street

·       2 very different towns. Cranbrook had resources in place to deliver the town centre as well as the Enterprise Zone. The spirit of the Future High Streets funds was to existing high streets. Axminster had all the right measures for growth; this funding would make it more attractive and would act as a case study for across the district.

·       The council had a responsibility to see high streets succeeding

·       Many residents in Cranbrook were on lower incomes and traveling outside to shop and use high street facilities was expensive.

·       The guidelines specifically state one proposal only, it would be too risky to submit two.

RESOLVED:

1.thattheadvicefrom officers regardingCranbrook andAxminster be noted,

2.Cabinetagrees to submita FHSExpressionof Interestin relation to Axminster,

3.thatdelegatedauthoritybegrantedto theDeputyCEO inconsultationwith the PortfolioHolderfor Economyto prepareandsubmitthe Expression of Interest.

REASON:

To agreeanapproachto submittingintotheExpressionofIntereststage bythedeadline on 22 March 2019.

REASON:

To agree an approach to submitting into the Expression of Interest stage by the deadline on 22 March 2019.