Arising from a report of the Head of Communities and Governance with regard to an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Townscape Heritage Initiative, the Economy Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation:
(a) MDDC to act as the accountable and lead body for this project;
(b) In principal, MDDC to allocate staff and councillor time to the project over 6 years – to include Chairing and sitting on the Steering Group, managing and employing/contracting a project officer and input into the project work;
(c) MDDC to allocate some funds (in the order of £12.5K initially with the option of further funding from MDDC or finding alternative funding in subsequent years) to the project in order to draw down potentially in the region of £1 million (tbc). The exact figure is dependent on the final structure of the bid, and whether other funding can be drawn down to offset it in future. HLF has indicated that without some cash input from the principle authorities the application will not succeed.
(d) MDDC to corporately investigate drawing down other funds to contribute to this project e.g. Empty Homes bonus, S106 related to development of Cullompton, property portfolio.
(e) MDDC to consider what it can do to facilitate the development of the gap site on the former Harlequin Valet site in Cullompton which continues to be an eyesore in the Higher Bull Ring and problem for neighbouring properties. The Higher Bull Ring is the heart of Cullompton town centre and this key site could be beneficial to the economy of the town and to the appearance of the Conservation Area.
(f) MDDC to integrate the aims of the scheme into all relevant strategic documents relevant to forward planning, empty homes and property in Cullompton
(g) MDDC to obtain indications of support from Devon County Council, Cullompton Town Council, Cullompton Town Team, Culm Valley in Business and the Cullompton Neighbourhood Plan Group.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration stated that Cullompton Conservation Area has been designated as “at risk” with a wide range of properties that were poorly repaired, redundant or under-used. The local authority had an opportunity to apply for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund under the “Townscape Heritage Initiative” which if successful could provide over £1 million investment in Cullompton’s historic built environment.
Consideration was given to:
· The degree of matched funding required and whether this could be set
· The involvement of landlords
· Partners in the project and the makeup of the Steering Group
· Other possible sources of funding
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)
Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.