Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – PLACE

Draft North Herts Town Centres Strategy for public consultation.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Endorsed and approved the draft Town Centres Strategy (attached as Appendix A to this report) and its associated Appendices for public consultation.

(2)   Delegated authority to the Director, Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Place to make any minor non-material corrections, including but not limited to cosmetic additions or presentational alterations, to the draft Town Centres Strategy as considered necessary for the public consultation.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   To allow the draft Town Centres Strategy to be progressed to public consultation so that it may be developed and eventually adopted as a material planning consideration to support developers, landowners and relevant stakeholders when considering developing proposals and to provide policy advice to development management officers when determining planning applications until superseded by any new Local Plan.

(2)   To set key priorities which seek to maintain and enhance the unique character and vitality and viability of the district’s four town centres through agreed partnership working.

(3)   To reinforce and deliver the Council’s ambitions as set out in the Council Plan (2024 - 2028).

Audio recording – 7 minutes 45 seconds

The Chair invited Councillor Claire Winchester, as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to present the referral on this item. Councillor Winchester advised that there had been discussions around:

·       This was an in-depth strategy which could be strengthened by making it easier to read for a layperson.

·       The introduction of a glossary was an improvement to the strategy.

·       Concerns over the need to protect public spaces in all the towns for the wellbeing of the communities.

·       Reflections over the importance of the surrounding villages to the town centres and the consideration required for people who needed to drive into town and subsequently be able to park.

Councillor Donna Wright, as Executive Member for Place, presented the report entitled ‘Draft North Hertfordshire Town Centres Strategy’ and advised that:

·       The adopted Local Plan required the Council to have town centre plans to support local strategy.

·       Updates to the existing 2008 Town Centre Strategy were necessary.

·       An overarching draft strategy had been prepared by Lichfields and was set out in Appendix A.

·       Moving to an overarching strategy had saved time and resources which had helped to speed up the process.

·       This strategy supported the major objectives of the Local Plan and also linked into relevant key documents and strategies.

·       The Town Centre Strategy would help to ensure that North Herts town centres were recognised and that plans were carried forward through Local Government Reorganisation.

·       Strengths and weaknesses of the town centres were set out in Part 3 of the strategy, with actions to deliver strategies set out in Part 4.

·       Feedback from consultations would help to shape a clear based action plan.

·       Suggestions from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be taken on board and the final version of the Town Centre Strategy would be adopted in early 2026.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Mick Debenham

In response to questions Councillor Wright advised that:

·       The delay with this strategy had occurred due to lack of resources with a staff position not being filled.

·       Currently a lot of work was being carried out by the team on the Transport Strategy which would be included in the final document.

In response to questions the Director – Place advised that:

·       Evidence work had commenced in January 2024 and work on the draft Town Centres Strategy had commenced later that year.

·       Delay with this strategy were caused by lack of resources as a Town Centre Project Officer post was established but never successfully filled.

·       The Transport Strategy flowed from the Local Plan, with the four main town centres, but there was also recognition of the village centres and the formal centres in larger areas of the district. 

·       The valid points made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be incorporated into the final document.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Ian Albert

Points raised during the debate included:

·       This was a welcomed document which would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49