Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Business Portfolio Holder

The Business Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He reminded Members of the improvements that had already been carried out to the Emporium, the former bus station and some shops in Coalville through the improvement scheme and that nearly half the money that had been approved had been spent. He advised that the remaining funding would be used to tackle other properties in the town centre that required the work to be carried out. He informed Members that, using past experience to make sure that the Authority got the best value for money officers have reviewed the process and the proposed changes were outlined in the report. He felt that some of the money should be prioritised to target key buildings and to support the Marlborough Square project, adding that there were a number of property owners that would be interested.

Councillor R Blunt supported the scheme as he felt that many of the landlords, once a property was empty, were unable to afford or justify spending the money on improving the shopfronts. He highlighted that similar work had been carried out in Measham in the past and that the High Street still looked good, with the scheme in the Town Centre helping to make it more sustainable.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            The progress made to date on the Coalville Frontage Improvement Scheme midpoint review be considered and noted.

2.            The recommendations to improve the Coalville Frontage Improvement Scheme, as set out in the midpoint review (appendix a), be noted and their implementation be approved.

3.            The prioritisation of £150,000 of existing funds available through the Coalville Frontage Improvement Scheme to buildings on Marlborough Square for a period of 18 months and the prioritisation of 50% of the remaining funding for key properties for a period of 12 months be approved.

4.            Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business to identify key properties and to review the scheme annually and make any required changes.

Reason for decision: To progress the relaunch of the Coalville Frontage Improvement Scheme.