Issue - meetings

Decision:

(1)   To endorse the Stage 1 report and approve proceeding to Stage 2.

(2)   To transfer a capital sum of £1.1 million from provisional to the approved capital programme to enable the Council to fund fees and surveys and deliver stage 2 of the programme.

Reasons:

·       This programme has major benefits for Guildford’s community and businesses by delivering a pro-active strategy to address the economic and physical constraints facing the town, including the retail downturn and the impact of the COVID19 situation.

·       To support resolution C029 of the Council made 23 July 2019 (Notice of Motion: Town Centre Masterplanning).

Other options considered and rejected by the Leader:

To not endorse the programme and cease work thereby delaying the delivery of a strategy for the Economic Regeneration of Guildford town centre.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader and any dispensation granted:

None

RESOLVED:

1.   To set up a Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme Masterplan Board to be chaired by the Lead Councillor for Regeneration.

2.   To adopt the draft Guildford Economic Regeneration Strategy and draft structure organisational plan as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report submitted to the Executive.

3.   To appoint an external specialist advisor and professional team with the responsibility to deliver a strategy specifically for the regeneration of Guildford town centre.

Reasons

1.   This programme has major benefits for Guildford’s community and businesses by delivering a pro-active strategy to address the economic and physical constraints facing the town, including the retail downturn and the impact of the COVID19 situation.

2.   To support resolution CO29 of the Council made 23 July 2019.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Executive

To not endorse the programme and cease work thereby delaying the delivery of a strategy for the Economic Regeneration of Guildford town centre.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted

None.

In July 2019, the Council had resolved to produce a sustainable Town Centre Master Plan Development Plan Document to be delivered within the lifetime of the current administration with an agreement that work should commence immediately and with the appropriate level of officer support.

On 24 March 2020, the Leader of the Council agreed to convene a Masterplan Board and appoint a specialist adviser to brief and scope an external professional team that would contribute to the delivery of a pro-active strategy for the comprehensive regeneration of Guildford town centre.

The continued retail down-turn would have been exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic and consequent lockdown. The Executive considered a report suggesting a review of the priority and timing of schemes set out in the adopted Local Plan and recommending adoption of a draft strategy that would achieve a greater overall economic benefit to the town centre.

The Lead Councillor for Regeneration introduced the report and set out the challenges for Guildford. Those challenges included the legacies of the past, responding to changes in modern lifestyle choices and increasing populations as well as immediate priorities such as Covid-19 and the proposed restructure of local government. The Executive unanimously

RESOLVED:

(1)  That a Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme Masterplan Board be established and chaired by the Lead Councillor for Regeneration.

(2)  That the draft Guildford Economic Regeneration Strategy and draft structure organisational plan, as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report submitted to the Executive, be adopted.

(3)  That an external specialist adviser and professional team be appointed with the responsibility to deliver a strategy specifically for the regeneration of Guildford town centre.

Reasons:

1.   This programme has major benefits for Guildford’s community and businesses by delivering a pro-active strategy to address the economic and physical constraints facing the town, including the retail downturn and the impact of the COVID19 situation.

2.   To support resolution CO29 of the Council made 23 July 2019.