Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration, the  Economy Policy Development Group has recommended that the Cabinet approves a seed fund totalling £15,000 to maintain / reinstate shopfront enhancement schemes for the three main market towns in the District.

Arising from a *report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration, the Economy Policy Development Group had recommended that a seed fund totalling £15,000 to maintain/reinstate shopfront enhancement schemes for the three main market towns in the District be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that it was recognised that the visual attractiveness of a town centre was an important element of consumers choice as to where they shopped and was seen as a major contributor to a towns vitality and economic success.  The shopfront scheme was a practical way to support local business owners, previous schemes had been a success and it was felt that the scheme should be continued in the 3 main towns.

Consideration was given to:

·         The details provided in appendix 1 of the report with regard to individual schemes that had been completed

·         The need to help local traders.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Notes:

i)             Cllr C J Eginton declared a personal interest as he owned a shop in Tiverton;

ii)            *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Head of Planning and Regeneration providing Members with an update on shopfront enhancement schemes and to seek Members’ approval to continue / re-instate such schemes in each of the three main market towns in the District.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration providing Members with an update on shopfront enhancement schemes and seeking Members approval to continue / re-instate such schemes in each of the three main market towns in the District.

The officer explained that similar schemes had worked very well both locally and nationally and represented a good way of encouraging shop keepers to improve the look of their businesses. The idea was to create a ‘pot of money’ within in each town which would then attract additional funding. It was predicted that a local steering group would administer the distribution of these funds.

Discussion took place with regard to:

·         Some businesses only took a part of the amount that was offered to them.

·         Some of the names had been redacted in the list of those who had previously benefited from the shopfront scheme for data protection reasons.

·         Particular properties with an obvious need for improvement had been proactively approached to apply for funding.

·         Investments usually lasted for three years.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that it approves a seed fund totalling £15,000 to maintain / reinstate shopfront enhancement schemes for the three main market towns in the District.

(Proposed by Cllr F J Rosamond and seconded Cllr Mrs N Woollatt)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.