Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Leader presented the report to Members. He updated Members on the progress of the project and highlighted the following:-

·         That in phase one of the shop front improvement scheme 75% of eligible businesses or properties were in discussion with officers and 29% of eligible properties were either complete or progressing.

·         That in relation to phase two of the improvement scheme a Local Development Order was in place and 26 (41% of eligible properties) had expressed an interest.

·         Grant support had been agreed to for works to the frontages of two key buildings in the town.

·         Officers had met with Leicestershire County Council to discuss a new design for Marlborough Square which had been created by the Council’s Urban Designer. It was hoped that vehicle domination of the square and speeds could be reduced and make the square more flexible for events and easier for shoppers to move around. It was highlighted that £523,000 had been allocated to the design and delivery and a further report would be brought to Cabinet once the costs had been formalised.

·         The Council is monitoring the progress of the sale of the former police station site and highlighting to potential buyers the work of the project.

·         Officers have met with Leicestershire County Council to discuss a new design for Memorial Square following meetings with stakeholders such as the Royal British Legion, local businesses and Arriva Buses. It was hoped that the project would enhance the setting of the Memorial to coincide with 100^th anniversary of the end of World War One. Once the scheme was agreed external contributions and funding to support the project would be sought through a funding plan.

·         Officers continued to progress the plan for the Market Hall and five new traders had started trading. There were a number of Easter activities for young children over the Easter weekend and during the spring time the market would be participating in Love Your Local Market.

·         Work to provide more cycle rack provision and improve the existing racks in the town centre was currently underway.

·         The Coalville Heroes were now based in the Market Hall and they had recently held an event to engage the young people of the town to gage their thoughts on how and where public money was spent. In return for their time and thoughts the participants were given a food voucher. The turnout was excellent with over a 100 young people.

·         Worked continued on the heritage and culture projects with officers working with Coalville Heritage Society. Plans were being developed to celebrate Palitoy’s 80^th birthday and as part of the engagement process the Century Theatre would be hosting the Vienna Festival Ballet performance of Cinderella.

·         Officers continued to monitor all media coverage and had issued 10 press releases since the last Cabinet report.

·         The existing model of adverting ‘what’s on in Coalville’ continued and the poster of summer events was being worked on.

The Leader advised that all the work on the project could not be carried out without the continued support of the stakeholders.

Councillor T J Pendleton stated that the housing development in the town was critical in bringing the mass to the centre and the work of the Coalville project helped to bring the developers to the town.

Councillor R Blunt stated that when the project started two years earlier he would have been and is very happy with the progress that had been achieved. He put the progress of the project down to the hard work and determination of the Chief Executive, as lead officer, had put into the project through her drive and commitment.  

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton and

RESOLVED THAT:

The progress made by the Coalville Project be supported by Cabinet

Reason for decision: Cabinet are updates on the progress of the Coalville Project.