Decision

AGREED that Cabinet:-

1)    Approve the creation of a new single City Centre Strategy incorporating a vision for the centre to 2050, to be completed ready for launch in early 2025;

2)    Provide delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with the Mayor, to submit necessary plans to Government for both LTPfT and LUP, and the initiation and the ongoing delivery of the programmes to include: the creation of specific projects within the capital programme, funding commitment and spending decisions and any amounts awarded to outside bodies in contracts and grants, and to agree any changes necessary to the schemes, to ensure deliverability within the timescales in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant;

3)    Provide delegated authority to the Chief Executive Office and Chief Financial Officer to accept and agree the terms and conditions of the associated Memorandum of Understanding and any further associated Grant Agreements in respect of LTPfT/ LUP, in consultation with the Mayor; and

4)    Provide delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to accept the money provided by Government for the five wards that make up the LTPfT geography (See Below) schemes, and the money provided as part of the Levelling Up Partnership.

Reasons for the decision

Doncaster City Centre has been shaped by the Urban Centre Masterplan, which was launched in 2016, as well as a number of additional masterplans including the Town Investment Plan and the Waterfront Plan.

It was now considered timely to create a new City Centre Strategy which would set out the vision to 2050. This would incorporate a refreshed masterplan and would also include service plans, service-related projects, best practice, partner initiatives and would ensure a vibrant and successful city centre, which would act as a doorway to services and activities for the entirety of Doncaster and its residents.

The development of the new city centre strategy and vision will shape Doncaster’s response to its designation as both a Long-Term Plan for Towns (LTPfT) area and a Levelling Up Partnership (LUP) area. Both of these opportunities would provide Doncaster with significant additional funding over several years. This decision   seeks to establish the following: -

·         Approval to proceed with a new single City Centre Strategy up to 2050.

·         Approval to accept £200,000 of LTPfT capacity funding and submit a LTPfT proposal to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) outlining a 10-year plan for the City, as well as a more detailed investment plan detailing the interventions for 2024 to 2027.

·         Approval to accept up to £20m of LTPfT money allocated by the DLUHC to deliver the programme.

·         Approval to accept £90,000 of LUP capacity funding and continue work defining the terms of the LUP proposal and subsequent acceptance of additional LUP funding to deliver the agreed programme.

Members noted that the new City Centre Strategy had been shaped by public consultation, from residents all over the borough, with their viewpoints used to inform the strategy. Anti-Social Behaviour and Crime was still felt to be an important issue with many residents being put off from visiting the City Centre because of this, and therefore it was important that this was addressed. With this in mind, the Mayor reported that this would be explored through the strategy and funding utilised to combat the problems, with an additional £1 million of funding already allocated to this concern, in order to develop a more vibrant, attractive and inclusive place to visit.

The LTPfT funding, it was reported, was not only welcome, but was also critical to the economic future of the city and its residents. The improvements that would be brought about as a result, would have a visible and tangible impact on people and places and support economic recovery in Doncaster.

Councillor Nigel Ball, welcomed the report, feeling that it was needed in order to address the problems faced post covid with regard to the City Centre and its attraction. It was important to inspire confidence in the public to visit the City Centre. However, the problem with rough sleeper’s and the homeless continues, and Councillor Ball paid tribute to the work of the Complex Lives Team who work tirelessly to address this problem. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and Councillor Cole both reiterated the points made, and also noted that the change in people’s habits and reasons for visiting the City Centre had meant that many buildings were repurposed to ensure that there was a vibrant and busy hub providing an offer attractive to all. The city was on the brink of change and the new City Centre Strategy was felt to be the start of something new.

Alternative options considered

Option A

To respond to the individual funding opportunities (LTPfT and LUP) as standalone awards. Government has made designations which are not aligned and require different process and requirements.

Option B

To develop a new City Centre Strategy and vision to 2050, informed by City Centre specific engagements across Doncaster and use this to direct activity to be funded through LTPfT and LUP, ensuring the funding supports and immediate response to the voices of our residents, communities and businesses as well as delivering on our strategic ambitions for the place. (This was the preferred option).