Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Angela Stansfield.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no interests declared at this meeting.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Clay Cross Town Board meeting held on 5 June 2020 and to approve the Notes of the Informal Clay Cross Town Board meetings held on 26 June 2020, 10 July and 24 July 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Clay Cross Town Board held on 5 June 2020 and the Minutes of the Informal Meetings of the Clay Cross Town Board held on 26 June, 10 and 24 July 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the attached report – Karl Apps Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager.

The Clay Cross Town Board received a report that outlined the Stage 2 Consultation outcomes.

The Board heard that two consultation events had been conducted in Clay Cross, with participants being asked about their current views on Clay Cross. The feedback was placed alongside the overall vision of the Board, with what could be done to improve and enhance Clay Cross. Participants in the consultation included residents, commuters and school children. It was stated that it was crucial to examine a wide range of evidence, so that the required level of intervention in the area could be determined.

The Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager informed Board Members of the methods used in the consultation, which included postcards to residents, questionnaires, and social media posts which was then analysed by Nexus.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider the attached report – Karl Apps Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager.

Peter Tooher – Nexus Planning, provided an update on the Draft Town Investment Plan (TIP). The Board noted that there were two elements to the TIP. The first was the overarching strategy and vision, and the second part were the projects. It was stated that the TIP needed to be submitted by the end of October.

The Clay Cross Town Board discussed the TIP, which included the vision, the projects in headline terms, Clay Cross in its context, jobs and skills, images and perceptions, connectivity, challenges, and key opportunities.

The Board heard about the Strategy that was outlined in the TIP, and that it was important that it reflected regional and national policy. It was stated that it was also important to include a Covid-19 Recovery Plan, the green agenda, and carbon neutral plans.

Peter Tooher – Nexus Planning explained that the Strategy demonstrated a ‘logic model’, which linked ‘issues’ to ‘response’ to ‘outcomes’. The Board also discussed the potential funding available if the submission was successful.

There was a wide ranging discussion on potential alterations to the strategy, which included the plans for Sharley Park Leisure Centre, the infrastructure and the overall wider context to Clay Cross. The Clay Cross Town Board also considered the draft TIP’s plans for delivering jobs and upskilling residents. Members of the Board were reminded that there was a word limit for the TIP. 

The uniqueness and opportunities for Clay Cross were discussed, such as the green agenda and its strategic location, as well as it being a potential leader in sustainable growth. There was a consensus that Clay Cross had the opportunity to demonstrate itself as a lead for small towns in the bidding process.

The Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager clarified that the discussion was to ensure that the draft TIP was going in the right direction. Board Members were encouraged to submit any questions that they had in regards to the draft TIP by 25 September.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

Verbal Update – Karl Apps Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager.

The Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager updated the Board on the outcomes of the Towns Hub Check and Challenge Session. The Board was informed that the meeting was a positive one, and that the draft TIP had received good feedback.

The Board noted that the word limit had almost been exceeded, and therefore more pictures and greater use of the appendices would be needed if the TIP was to be added to. Themes and projects that the Board had identified in the meeting, such as the green agenda, low carbon and covid-19 recovery had been discussed in the session, as well as expanding the evidence base to support the proposed projects.

It was stated that the Town Delivery Partnership had been impressed with the level of consultation that had been done, and that this could be better explained in the TIP.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

The Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager informed the Board of the current status and next steps in regards to the investment plan.

The Board noted that the TIP had to be submitted by 30 October, and that at the next meeting of the Clay Cross Town Board the final TIP would be discussed in more detail. Further clarifications were made to the next steps including future meetings, funding, heads of terms, projects into business cases and the delivery phase.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

The Joint Housing Strategy and Growth Manager reminded Members of the Clay Cross Town Board that a declarations of interests form needed to be completed. This was so that the Board could demonstrate best practice.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

No other business was discussed.