Issue - meetings

Report from Steve Lee, Assistant Director of Regeneration and Programmes

The Board received a report which informed them of issues which directly impacted the delivery focus of the Clay Cross Town Centre Regeneration project. The issues were in regard to Derbyshire County Council’s (DCC) halting of the planned library relocation, DCC’S consultation on the Derbyshire Adult Education Service and NEDDC’s application for East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) funding.

The Board considered the report. Some Members suggested that works should continue on the outside of the Adult Education Centre building whilst there was uncertainty over what would be happening inside. The importance of the heritage building as part of the regeneration scheme as a whole was highlighted. It was shared that potential funding from EMCCA could be set aside for improving the externals of the building.

The Board discussed the consultation on the Derbyshire Adult Education Services. Some Members suggested that the results of the consultation would have an impact on the future of the library. Some Members queried whether the programme was, therefore, unlikely to meet its learning outcomes. The Board heard that this was a potential risk but there was room for considering other options. In this context, it was shared that through the updated Local Regeneration Fund there was a wider scope for where money could be spent in Clay Cross. Some Members suggested that investing in the library where it currently sat did not represent a sensible option.

Councillor Stephen Reed, DCC, put forward the position of the County Council and indicated that there was still a desire for the Adult Education Centre building to be an important part of the regeneration scheme. Some Members queried whether DCC had a vision for what the building would be and highlighted the need for a prompt and proper decision. In this context, the Board discussed the potential impacts of the delays caused by DCC, and the financial position of the project was shared. Some Members expressed disappointment on behalf of the residents of Clay Cross. In this context, some Members suggested that the Board should communicate with DCC regarding the consequences of its decisions in relation to the library and adult education consultation. It was agreed that the Board would request that DCC fully considered the ramifications of its decision and the delays that had been caused on the success of Clay Cross regeneration project and outline their vision for the Library and Adult Education Centre building.

RESOLVED –

That the Town Deal Board noted the contents of this report and agreed to:

1. Engage with the Derbyshire Adult Community Education Services consultation.

2. To work with Derbyshire County Council to consider the alternative solutions which meet overall programme objectives for provision of quality library facilities.

3. To work with the internal Project Team to identify the contractual and financial implications on the programme on the outcome of Derbyshire County Councils present and potential future decisions.

4. Acknowledge the application to EMCCA for additional programme funding to ensure delivery of core programme objectives.

5. To request that DCC fully consider the ramifications of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22