Agenda item

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24; capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26; and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

The Committee considered proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2023/24, capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26 and proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 in respect of the Councils priority areas.

Comments included the following:

·        Members noted that Beeston was easier to achieve occupancy rates than other Town Centres in the Borough. More land was owned by the Council for investment in this area than in Kimberley, Stapleford and Eastwood.

·        A query was raised that the 2021/22 achieved target for planning applications had gone down from the previous year. With all the targets the planning department was exceeding the Government target of 70%.

·        Confirmation was provided to the Committee that Eastwood Town Deal and Kimberley Town Deal were the Levelling up Funds. The Kimberley Levelling up Fund had been successful in the funding bid. An explanation that the additional funding was money borrowed and this explained why Eastwood allocation would not be reallocated to Kimberley.

·        Markets had not had the success at Stapleford and Kimberley in the same way that Beeston had. The locations of the markets in the Town Centres had caused some of the issues. Eastwood market was not a regular event. Lessons had been learnt and frequencies of events and locations would be programmed for the year. A concern was raised with the lack of evidence produced when markets were on and additional footfall to the town centres had occurred.

·        Members were disappointed with the progress being made on Neighbourhood Plans. Further engagement with Parish and Town Councils was required to progress the plans forward to create, develop and review the Neighbourhood Plans. Resource issues within the Planning Policy team had caused some delays. Members would like to see the adoption of the Neighbourhood Plans a priority in the areas identified.   

·        Eastwood Craft Centre base budget for 2023/24 had increased to allow for repairs to the industrial units. The figure had also included the pay award and associated costs with inflation. A query was asked what businesses were operating from the Craft Centres and income received.

·        Economic Development budget for 2022/23 included a one-off additional budget in relation to consultancy costs and the levelling up agenda. Recruitment issues and large infrastructure projects meant in the short term it was beneficial to use consultancies to fill the gap.

·        The Stapleford Town Centre Enterprise Management would be run by Inspire within the Stapleford Library.

·        The Community hub would be looked at being run by a professional organisation. Funding was being sourced and included a Football Foundation bid. The Community Hub and pavilion on the Hickings Lane site would facilitate a range of services and community activities in one location. The current facilities was tires and in need of renovation. The new facilities would replace the existing smaller local community centres and free up sites for future development.  

·        Members welcomed the surface refurbishment. Some concern was raised that was the budget enough to cover all the repairs. The current service was over 20 years old and its condition was deteriorating. Health and Safety issues had been raised due to the uneven and deteriorating paving surfaces.

·        Some concern was raised with the investment to support the cycle trail to connect the town with major employment centres like Panattoni Park. Road safety concerns had been raised as road users were dropping off passengers to access the retail areas from the A610. The footpath had been recognised by Notts County Council.

·        It was noted that the review of fees and charges for Beeston, Eastwood and Stapleford Squares had not incurred increases for 2023/24.

RECOMMENDED that:

1.     Cabinet approves the Business Growth Business Plan

2.     Cabinet recommends to Council that the following be approved:

a)    The detailed revenue budget estimates for 20-23/24(base)

b)    The capital programme for 2023/24 to 205/26

c)    The fees and charges for 2023/24