MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM

Service response to Scrutiny update report on Gresham Regeneration

Executive Member for Regeneration: Charles Rooney

Executive Director of Economic Development and Communities: Kevin Parkes

9th September 2014

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

  1. The purpose of this report is to provide the Economic Development and Communities Department’s response to the Economic Regeneration and Transport Scrutiny Panel’s update report on the Gresham Regeneration.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. It is recommended that the Executive endorse the appended action plan.

IF THIS IS A KEY DECISION WHICH KEY DECISION TEST APPLIES?

It is over the financial threshold (£150,000)
It has a significant impact on 2 or more wards
Non Key / X

DECISION IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE

  1. For the purposes of the scrutiny call in procedure this report is

Non-urgent / X
Urgent report

If urgent please give full reasons

BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION

  1. The Economic Regeneration and Transport Scrutiny Panel investigated the Gresham Regeneration between July and October 2012. In view of the changes to the funding regime, and to the original scheme proposals, the Scrutiny Panel sought to clarify the current position, investigate progress to date and determine how the scheme is being taken forward.
  1. The 2012 final report required that annual updates be given in respect of the progress made in implementing the Panel’s recommendations. Accordingly, an update was presented to the Panel’s meeting on the 24th April 2014.

SCRUTINY PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Having received the updatethe panel highlighted the following points.
  • The development of a Neighbourhood Plan to add to/build on the Local Plan could be beneficial for an area such as Gresham.
  • The production of a masterplan for the site could act as a positive way forward and encourage developer interest.
  1. The Panel’s recommendations to the Executive are set out in Appendix 1. The service areas’ action plan in response to the recommendations is also set out in that appendix.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT (IA)

  1. An IA is not applicable to the decision this as the proposed actions do not constitute a change of Council policy.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS

  1. Financial Implications – The actions identified in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel will be undertaken with the existing staffing and budgetary resources. Any subsequent costs identified as a consequence of changing practices would be confirmed via budget clinic, or in the services’ medium term financial plan.
  1. Ward Implications – The Scrutiny Panel’s investigation focused on the Gresham regeneration area, which is part of the Gresham and Middlehaven Wards.
  1. Legal Implications – There are no specific legal implications as a consequence of the recommendations of this report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. It is recommended that the Executive endorse the appended action plan.
REASONS
  1. The Panel’s recommendations and action plan will help achieve the Council’s vision for Gresham within an acceptable timescale.
BACKGROUND PAPERS

The following background papers were used in the preparation of this report:

Update Report of the Economic Regeneration and Transport Scrutiny Panel – Gresham Regeneration

AUTHOR: ANDREW CARR

TEL NO: 729148

______

Address:

Website:

1