Issue - meetings

This report presents the Folkestone Town Centre Place Plan for approval.  The reports sets out an overview of the work undertaken to develop the plan and the key actions proposed as priorities for delivery. The report also seeks approval for the submission of an application to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The report presented the Folkestone Town Centre Place Plan for approval.  The report set out an overview of the work undertaken to develop the plan and the key actions proposed as priorities for delivery. The report also sought approval for the submission of an application to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment stated that she would be supporting the document, as she wanted to see the regeneration of Folkestone, and that there were a lot of good ideas in the plan – ie improving the public realm at central station, linking the town with the seafront, encouraging walking and cycling. However, she asked for her concerns to be minuted. These included:

·       The public engagement exercise reached more people than a project such as this usually would, but it had missed a lot of people. The urban appraisal recognised that Folkestone was a town of two halves, and it was important to reach those people.

·       It was not clear how the plan would address social deprivation, poor housing, and other similar issues raised by the urban appraisal.

·       In the foreword of the plan, it stated: “A reciprocal relationship of affordable housing across sites within and beyond the town centre may also be possible”. It was unclear what this meant, and how it would be addressed.

·       More needed to be done to promote the local economy, and attracting visitors was a big part of that. However, local people felt that the plan was not about them, and needed to include people more.

·       There was not enough in the plan relating to heritage.

·       The latest public consultation, against the comments that were submitted, there is a meaningless comment which stated “Future individual project activity should consider observations and feedback provided in addition to ongoing engagement requirements”, which summed up why people felt they are not listened to.

·       With regard to the proposal to move the station, there was some confusion, and it was unclear if this would be to Shellons Street or Middleburg square? However, more feasibility work would be taking place that would clarify this situation.

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Monk; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/21/34 be received and noted.

2.         That the Folkestone Town Centre Place Plan be approved.

3.         That the prioritization of projects for further development in support of a Levelling Up Fund application be agreed.

4.         That the Director of Place, in consultation with the Leader, be authorized to submit an application for funding to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

5.         That the Cabinet note that consideration will be given to partnership and stakeholder structures required to support ongoing delivery of the plan.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASON FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to support the recommendations in order that the Place Plan is agreed, priority actions progressed and an application to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund submitted.