Minutes 30 May 2024

1.

INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

Introductions made and apologies noted as above. 

Pete introduced Brian Davy has the new chair of the meeting.

2.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION

Pete advised of the contract of interest form to be updated by all and importance to do it again because moving into delivery. To be returned to Pete before next meeting Updated guidance of state aid from old European Regs for subsidiary control. 

All

3.

NOMINATION OF NEW CHAIR

Pete re-nominated Brian as Chair because last meeting was a special meeting and could not be used for nomination.  All agreed. 

4.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Agreed as a true record. 

5.

ACTIONS FROM LAST MEETING

Shane advised that visuals for DMIC were still in progress.  RIBA1 completed and to circulate approved document by the end of the week.  Comments also welcomed. 

Special meeting held on 27 April.

Clarification of format of forms and reporting controls had been actioned.

Report circulated by Susan on behalf of Gary, and Cllr Hartnett to be provided with a copy. 

Julia to meet with Cllr Hartnett to discuss further.

Shane

Gary

 Julia/Cllr Hartnett

6.

PROJECTS PROGRESS UPDATE

Shane provided updates as follows:-

Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (DMIC)

Shane shared report and gave the Board a brief update.  Scope of works was to deliver a new build DMIC which would provide flexible workspace for start-ups.  Updated on funding, expenditure todate etc.  Current forecast was in the region of £10m.  RIBA1 was developing design and working towards planning application and RIBA2 to be done. Visuals were starting to be developed.  Options reduced from 8 to 3.  One option to be selected for location of building on old police site.  Would require sign-off. 

Chair stated provide clearly defined purposes for people who were going to occupy it.  Shane advised that was what RIBA2 would do. It is important that we are able to articulate our ‘vision-in-outline’ for the building, ahead of the completion of evaluation work to get to RIBA2. Needs to be non-technical and set out in broad terms so people understand.  Shane to circulate note of where we were at. 

Pete updated on funding and have direct contact with Birmingham City Council.  Have sent an outline Business Case for £10m cost but more details are needed to access funds. 

Redditch Library

Not much progress but due to start this month.  Project and architect/design team had been appointed.  Holding off until received scope of project.  Original scope was demolition and new buildings.  Direction from Board required and update scope on how we move forward.

Pete advised we have different political leadership and library will not now move from the present location. 

Pete had discussed with DLHUC possible alternatives and an Exec report to be submitted after the Election.  Several options were discussed as follows:-

1.  Enhance DMIC with additional funding

2.  Find another building to upgrade – couple of possibilities and monies can be transferred.  Smallwood House being looked at from NHS.  No decision can be made/announced until after 4 July.  Examples to be worked up.  Discovery10 will assist with programmes.  Need to ensure money had been spent by due date.  If decision goes forward will bring alternatives to next meeting.

Pete clarified that Smallwood House would provide the same good beverage outlets and set down space as previously suggested.  Muj expressed concerns on being able to visualise how Smallwood would help with Town Centre linkage.  Pete asked Muj to email him of any possible building suggestions he had.  

Pete advised decision had not formally been made and was required to come through an Exec Decision Notice.  DLHUC happy if alternative can be found.  Pete advised if library did not move, we would not have output in library building to attract the money.  Initial decision was a Council decision.  Discussions took place on how we link spaces and increase footfall.  A high level outside market space was suggested by Cllr Hartnett.

It was agreed that there was a need for a Town Centre Plan Workshop with Elected Representatives, to better understand what was proposed in total.  The wider consequences for the overall Town plan of retaining the library in its current location, need to be explained with models, illustrations etc, to the new administration. 

Cllr Hartnett to take back to leaders but unsure when this would happen.  Pete to arrange workshop.  Ruth required clarification on timescales for workshop and if alternative proposal, plan B needed to be developed relatively quickly to spend monies within the timescale. It was confirmed that this could happen within the Purdah period. 

Penny stated she would be happy to be involved in the workshop especially if any work regarding the station could be factored in. 

Julia also expressed interest in participating for the same reasons. 

Redditch Town Centre Public Realm

Shane advised that work should have been started by now but needed to get a more detailed update from Jane Berry.  Written update and highlight report to be issued. 

Discussion took place regarding what was happening i.e. removal of phone box, improvement to roads, access around Church Walk and pathways etc.  Some changes had been made due to funds but did have S106 monies.  Board had been kept up to date. 

Penny to check if County Council Highways had been liaised with.

Shane

 Muj

 Cllr Hartnett

 Shane/Jane

Penny 

7.

COMMUNITY HUB UPDATE

Seddons to be appointed as the contractor and had included Savills and Dillions regarding potential tenants.  Report to go back to Exec by 5 July. 

Council Suite to be moved from ground floor to 2^nd floor and agreement from Exec members on Tuesday to continue with strip out (approx.10 weeks work) and get to RIBA stage for new entrance.  Chair stated that overall Town Hall would be multi-occupancy of staff and private individuals. 

8.

RAILWAY STATION QUARTER UPDATE

Penny advised CC consultations had happened last Summer and feedback was good and developed to RIBA3 plans for planning application.  Following due diligence surveys carried out and issues with drainage and diversions required.  Now working with design team and Severn Trent regarding those diversions.  This had obviously caused a delay.  Penny to update Board once update received on timescales from Severn Trent. 

Chair requested the need for a single sheet, key milestone-based timing plan covering all schemes involved in Plan A, as a communication tool for Board and members. Penny agreed and happy to share alongside all other programmes. 

Discussions took place regarding platform times, increased faster services from Birmingham to Redditch and vice versa to increase viability and prosperity of the town.   Penny advised was working with Network Rail and stakeholders of the project.  Penny to obtain more details regarding feasibility study that had been carried out.  It was advised that CC had a liaison officer who acted on part of the district. 

Penny

Penny

 Penny

9.

UKSPF

Georgina shared report summary which looked at figures for 2023/24-year 2 funding.  Full funding had been allocated for all 3 years.  There had been an underspend which could be carried over.  It had been required to achieve 80% of spend to qualify for 100% allocation.  DLHUC satisfied with reports and funding to be released next Monday (3 June).  Activities todate were discussed.  Annual allocations would be different for each year. 

Chair asked about the aim of the funding and type of businesses supported.  Georgina explained it was to replace existing EU structural funds and project could be in the three following areas:-

·       Communities and place

·       Supporting local business

·       People and skills

No specific sector and a benefit was being less restrictive than former EU funding. 

10.

CULTURAL FUNDING

Jonathan gave an update regarding application which was to be submitted by 3 June.  Jonathan thanked everyone for their contribution at this stage.  Final adjustments were being made and advised were in a strong place with residents. 

Pete, as accounting officer, was required to sign document for DLHUC by Monday. 

Ruth asked for the Board’s agreement to the 5 areas of spend as follows:-

1.     Investment in the Palace Theatre

2.     Investment in Arrow Valley Park and 2 venues i.e. Forge Mill and Arrow Valley Countryside centre. 

3.     Grant scheme for improvements to community cultural venues across the borough

4.     Making places out of spaces

5.     Marketing tool budget to promote town

All agreed to the above. 

Ruth stated that in terms of criteria of £5m for arts and cultural money, stakeholder and MP involvement was important.  The Town Board was a forum for representation.  Town Board would be updated on the project. 

Jonathan advised that two representatives of the Cultural Compact would attend the Town Board Group meeting.   

Brian/

Jonathan

10.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Chair gave summary of requests as follows:

·       Simplified reporting of projects

·       Pete to circulate to all Purpose and Objectives of Town Board

·       Timings, monies, milestone, description of projects and status. Documents to adopt a non-technical style for elected representatives and other non-experts.

The chair summarised his aim as ‘treating our town as our estate’. Discussion yesterday with Pete on how we could link capital redevelopment work on the town centre and cultural front.  Need to raise the standard of the town and civic pride can be affected by raising the look and feel of the town. 

Ruth stated that the Group was a useful forum for issues and suggested an agenda item for such general issues i.e. grass cutting etc to be raised and dealt with appropriately by representatives of the Group. 

Cllr Hartnett echoed comments made and the need to pull in the same direction.  Also agreed messages to public need to be simple but backed up by technical information.

Pete also agreed on the approach for problem solving/exchange of information via the Group.

Anne-Marie asked if Place Communications could be added to agenda, so updates could be provided on Place Marketing Strategy and website updates.  Also requested to prepare a press release on the appointment of the new Chair.

All

Pete

All

Brian/

Agenda

Brian/

Agenda

Anne-Marie/Brian

11.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday 25 July 2024 at 9.30 am.