Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the Town Deal Projects.

Contact: Michelle Illingworth, Project Officer.

RESOLVED –

(1) That the Town Deal Project Update be noted.

(2) That a report be provided to the Chair regarding the delay of the Market and any associated implications, that includes a strategy for engagement with market traders.

Michelle Illingworth, Project Officer, updated the Board on three of the Town Deal Projects, and advised that:

The Arcade

·       Supporting columns had been replaced within Moneypenny’s unit.

·       Steel trusses and Velux windows had been installed in the roof.

·       Oak ridges had been approved and installed to the roof trusses.

·       Glazing would be carried out week commencing 10^th November 2025, by a local company.

·       The completion and opening of the Arcade was on track for Spring 2026.

The Market

·       Turner and Townsend had been appointed as Project Management and Quality Surveyors for the scheme.

·       Planning condition discharge documents had been submitted

·       A market container had been installed in Market Place to act as a central communication hub to inform people about the market project, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am until 1pm.

·       There had been limited interest in appointing contractors on a single stage design and build contract, which meant that procurement was moving to a 2 stage contract to ensure value for money. This would extend the programme delivery by two months.

Better Spaces (Public Realm)

·       At the beginning of December 2025 the creation of the seating area outside the Walsh Building should begin and be completed in January 2026.

·       HVM bollards and boulders had been installed on the Town Hall Apron and the HVM gate installed on Town Hall Way.

·       The central steps on Longcauseway had been completed.

·       Work had commenced on the paving area within the Memorial Gardens.

The Chair noted that the Board had been provided with finances on a page which had been requested.

Thomas Fish advised the Board that the 2 stage procurement process was the best approach to take despite the delay to the Market project, to ensure better value for money in the long term. During discussion, the timescale and methods of communication about the delay with market traders was discussed, and the Board asked for assurance that this would be a priority. Thomas Fish undertook to provide a report to the Chair giving details of the delay and the communication strategy surrounding it, particularly regarding market traders. The report would be circulated to the Board.

RESOLVED –

(1) That the Town Deal Project Update be noted.

(2) That a report be provided to the Chair regarding the delay of the Market including any associated implications, and a strategy for engagement with market traders.