Issue - meetings

To update the Board on the latest position of the Pride in Place Programme. This includes an outline of progress with the working groups, interventions, and key performance indicators and sets out recommendations for the Board to support delivery.

Contact:        Andy Raleigh, Interim Strategic Lead Town Centre Regeneration

RESOLVED –

1)    That the Pride in Place Programme be noted.

2)    That the recommendations and KPIs within the Pride in Place report and appendix attached be endorsed.

The Board received an update on implementation of the Pride in Place Programme.

The Board were advised that:

• The Regeneration Plan had been approved and the first tranche of funding received.
• Working Groups had met during March and April 2026.
• Initial interventions had commenced, including three fly-tipping clean-up operations in Daisy Hill, improvements to waste storage arrangements and targeted policing activity within the town centre.
• The pre-approved intervention to fund a dedicated Police Sergeant was in place, his team had acted to tackle drug-related crime in Dewsbury Town Centre.

The Board discussed performance monitoring arrangements and agreed the importance of regular KPI reporting.

The Board suggested that the dedicated Police Sergeant attend a future meeting to provide an update on the work that was undergoing.

Safety and Security Working Group

The Board considered recommendations relating to:

• Continued delivery of Police Sergeant and Enforcement Officer roles.
• A one-year trial of a town centre radio system.
• Future development of capital safety and security projects.

Engagement, Events and Communications Working Group

The Board considered recommendations relating to:

• Continued delivery of the Creative Programme Manager role.
• Development of a community small grants programme.
• Use of funding to attract additional external investment and match funding opportunities.

The Board was provided with an updated figure on the total investment for 27 Market Place, the report advised the total investment cost was £361,000, the Board was advised that the current position was £406,000.

Place Working Group

The Board considered recommendations relating to:

• Procurement of specialist consultancy support to undertake a vacant units and buildings study.
• Progression of strategic master-planning work to support future regeneration and inward investment.
• Additional investment to bring 27 Market Place to a wind and water-tight condition and prepare it for future use.

The Board discussed the need to build upon existing regeneration frameworks whilst ensuring a clear long-term vision for Dewsbury.

Business Support Working Group

The Board noted that a Chair of the Business Support Working Group had not yet been appointed.

The Board were advised that a Business Support Officer role had been recruited on a 12?month basis to provide business engagement capacity within the town whilst detailed working group arrangements were developed.

RESOLVED –

1)    That the Pride in Place Programme be noted.

2)    That the recommendations and KPIs within the Pride in Place report and appendix attached be endorsed.