Agenda item

This report sets out proposals for investing and managing the Council’s £3 million High Streets Regeneration Fund that has been established to support and help high streets in the district adapt for the future.

Report C/19/21 sets out proposals for investing and managing the Council’s £3 million High Streets Regeneration Fund that has been established to support and help high streets in the district adapt for the future.

Dr Katharine Harvey, Chief Economic Development Officer, presented this report and advised members that it is proposed to earmark £2.5 million of the funding for Folkestone with the remainder for the High Streets across the District. 

Members commented that there should be more funds for the more rural High Streets rather than concentrating on Folkestone High Street.  

Members were advised that the split was based on Folkestone being the main town in the district, so the majority of the funding is proposed for Folkestone which is the most important town in the district and whose success will impact on the whole of the district. However, the split will also depend on the quality of the bids received for the funding and the applicants will normally have to 50% match fund

Members also queried the  proposed decision making process and the appropriateness of  funding decisions on schemes taken forward by FHDC in Folkestone being made by a smaller group - the Leader and the Corporate Director for Place and Commercial.  Decisions on external applications for all other areas are to be taken by a wider group – the Leader, Cabinet lead member for the District Economy and a ward councillor for the area relating to the application.  Concerns were expressed about the decision-making group for the council-led investments in Folkestone.  It was suggested that a cross party Folkestone Town Centre working group of councillors is proposed and that they would be consulted about any major capital investments in Folkestone.

The evaluation of externally proposed projects across the district needs to be fair and a consistent approach adopted.  Therefore the membership of the wider decision-making group needs to be consistent in assessing all projects.

Dr Harvey confirmed that ìt is not proposed for these funds to support sub high streets, such as Golden Valley and Dover Road, and maps will be available to show the properties and areas within the named high streets that will be eligible for grant funding.

The assessment of projects should consider the wider impact with projects that improve the environment supported.  Dr Harvey pointed to the assessment criteria shown in Appendix 2 which includes this.   

Proposed by Councillor Tim Prater

Seconded by Councillor Laura Davison and

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet are requested to include in the recommendations that Sub Shopping areas are involved in the application process.
2. That Cabinet are requested to consider altering the decision making process for the council-led investment proposed in Folkestone.

(Voting: For 7; Against 1; Abstentions 1)

Further comments were made with regard to the split of funds but members were reminded that any monies are welcomed where investment for the future can be made. 

Proposed by Councillor Michelle Dorrell

Seconded by Councillor Terry Mullard and

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet consider amending the split of funds for this proposal to £2 million for Folkestone Town and £1 million for remaining High Streets in the District. 

(Voting: For 7; Against 1; Abstentions 1)

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Miss Susan Carey and

RESOLVED:

1.    To receive and note report C/19/21.

(Voting: For 9; Against 0; Abstentions 0)