The Clay Cross Town Deal Board is scheduled to meet on 26 September 2025 to discuss the Clay Cross Town Deal programme, including updates on town centre regeneration, the terms of reference, and the Baileys Square tenants. The board will also receive a highways update.

Quarterly Programme Update

The Clay Cross Town Deal Board is expected to receive a presentation from Tris Burdett, Programmes Manager – Programme Management Team, regarding the quarterly dashboard and programme update.

The report pack includes a summary of progress made in the second quarter of the financial year:

• Clay Cross Active [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Clay+Cross+Active+North+East+Derbyshire+District+Council/]: The new leisure centre has opened, and membership has increased by 196%.
• Town Centre Regeneration: Several units are in the process of securing tenants. The first phase of the highways connections works (Bridge Street) have been completed. Temporary access routes into the Adult Education building have been completed in readiness for the demolition works to start on the former youth centre. Library design is progressing well.

The report pack states that the total programme budget is £24.1m, and the programme is to be financially completed by March 2026. The aims of the programme are:

• Urban Regeneration: Thriving town and town centre for people to live and work.
• Skills and Infrastructure: Supporting investment, development of businesses and creating opportunities for training and skills development.
• Connectivity: Improving local transport links and improved connectivity.

The projects include:

• Clay Cross Active: new leisure centre and community hub.
• Town Centre Regeneration: transport and connections improvements, new community/social spaces, learning hubs and business enterprise units.
• Low Carbon Challenge Fund: programme of support to help stimulate the transition to a low carbon economy.
• Low Carbon Local Area Energy Plan: outlining how Clay Cross can achieve net zero carbon by 2050.
• Rail Station Feasibility: identify the viability of a train station in Clay Cross.

The report pack also includes key milestones for the projects in the coming months.

The report pack identifies several top programme risks, including:

• Delay to agreeing both temporary Wayleaves¹ and Permanent Easement (allowing National Grid access to site) could impact on the programme timeline and delay practical completion of Block B and library build.
• Main incoming electricity supply to the new library and Adult Education building is located within the demolition area impacting continuity of Adult Education provision whilst re-siting.
• Delay to Derbyshire County Council (DCC) issuing Highways approval S278² for Market St works which could impact on the programme timeline and delay practical completion.

The report pack also includes a section on Clay Cross Active, with details of MHCLG outputs and outcomes. The report pack states that the centre is now open, and that the amount of new 'other' enterprise space is 5,202.50m2. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent jobs safeguarded through the projects is 20, and the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent jobs created through the projects is 6.04.

The report pack states that overall increase in the number of attendances at Sharley Park Community Activity Hub is: Sharley Park LC July 2022 (pre closure) = 16,222 visits/month Clay Cross Active July 2025 = 28,187/month. Monthly direct debit memberships Sharley Park LC at July 2023 = 919 members Clay Cross Active at July 2025 = 2720 Increased members by 1,801.

The report pack includes an update on the Town Centre Regeneration project, stating that the project is supporting several changes being made to revitalise the centre of Clay Cross. Four key elements include transport and connections to enhance connectivity by foot and car, enhancement of the learning and skills hub in the Clock Tower building, create a community space and social area through a new town square and refurbished heritage building and utilising the Broadleys area (now known as Baileys Square) to provide flexible accommodation for businesses.

The report pack states that several Baileys Square units are in the process of tenants being secured, and that Bridge Street works have been completed. All Baileys Square units are complete. Groundwork/landscaping works have commenced. Block A steel frame erected and structural works commenced. Scaffolding to be removed end of September to allow drainage works to continue. The detailed library designs are being finalised. The project manager is working with DCC Adult Education staff to ensure there is as little disruption to the learning provision as possible during the Adult Ed refurbishment and library construction.

The report pack also includes a section on the Low Carbon Challenge Fund, with details of MHCLG outputs and outcomes. The report pack states that the target for new houses with improved (exemplar) energy consumption is 60, but that only 11 have been achieved. The target for enterprises receiving grant support is 37, and 23 have been achieved. The target for enterprises with improved energy consumption (production process) is 37, and 23 have been achieved. The target for floor space with improved carbon performance is 6,000m2, and 15,321m2 has been achieved. The target for sites generating electricity from renewable sources is 2, and 10 have been achieved. The target for innovative projects developed is 5, and 1 has been achieved.

The report pack states that the Clay Cross Active project has reached the practical and financial completion, and that ongoing monitoring will continue until MHCLG outputs/outcomes have been achieved. The Town Centre Regeneration project is progressing well, though the Wayleaves delay has impacted on timescales of practical completion. Discussions are being held with the contractor to understand what, if any cost implications there are. The Low Carbon Challenge Fund has now closed and the remaining funds moved to support the CCA and Town Centre Regeneration projects. The Rail Feasibility is maintaining a watching brief.

Terms of Reference Update

The Clay Cross Town Deal Board is scheduled to consider the updated Clay Cross Town Board annual review. Tris Burdett, Programmes Manager – Programme Management Team, is expected to present a report.

The report pack recommends that the board approves the revised Terms of Reference for the Clay Cross Town Board.

The report pack states that the Clay Cross Town Deal Board Terms of Reference were last agreed at the CCTB meeting on 27 September 2024, and that the annual review is now due.

The report pack states that the Terms of Reference set out the membership and responsibilities of the CCTB to oversee and provide strategic steer over the delivery phase of the programme, and that as the Programme continues to move forward, a regular review of the CCTB Terms of Reference ensures that stakeholders can contribute in a meaningful way and support the delivery of the Programme as required.

The report pack includes a copy of the Clay Cross Town Board – Terms of Reference Stage 2 – Delivery. The document states that the Board was constituted at a full meeting of the Clay Cross Town Board (CCTB) held on Friday 24 January 2020, and that these Terms of Reference (V5) were agreed by the CCTB on 26 September 2025 and will be reviewed no later than the end of September 2026.

The document states that the Clay Cross Town Deal (CCTD), underpinned by a Town Investment Plan (TIP), is a £24.1m investment for Clay Cross which is being funded by the Government Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (MHCLG).

The document states that the remit of the CCTB is to provide strategic direction and overseeing the implementation of the Town Investment Plan (TIP). It is a multiorganisation Board comprising of representatives from public, private, voluntary and community organisations. The Board is not a legal entity, and its role is advisory. Its purpose is to be an ambassador for the Programme and work with the Accountable Body, North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC), to ensure the TIP, also known as the Masterplan, is delivered.

The document states that the Board will be led by a private sector Chair, and that the members of the Board shall be appointed by the Board and may be removed at any time by the Board. In the event of the Board Chair resigning, to enable the function of the Board to continue, a Public Sector Chair can be appointed on an interim basis whilst another Private Sector Chair is sought and elected. The Board should regularly review its membership to ensure the right balance of skills and experiences are maintained throughout the programme.

The document states that the Clay Cross Town Board shall comprise of up to 18 voting Board Members who are representatives from:

• Public Sector
  • All tiers of local government
    • North East Derbyshire District Council
    • Clay Cross Parish Council Chair
    • Derbyshire County Council
  • Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire
  • Other public bodies, education sector, arms-length bodies and non-departmental agencies who provide skills and experience in relation to TIP projects.
  • Third sector organisations
• Businesses
  • Representatives from businesses in Clay Cross
  • Representatives from business networks in the town

The document states that the CCTB may comprise of other private sector representatives and developers who operate on a national and international platforms who understand the requirements for investment and can help identify the best use of private and public funds.

The document lists the responsibilities of the Board, including to maintain strategic oversight of the CCTD Programme, to provide support and advice to the Accountable Body to aid the delivery of business cases/strategic assessments for each strand of the TIP, and to receive updates on delivery, performance and risk from the Accountable Body.

The document states that NEDDC is the Accountable Body for CCTD, and that as Accountable Body the Council will utilise existing rules as outlined in the Constitution throughout the life of the programme and the Council's Statutory Officers will play a key role in ensuring compliance.

The document states that the quorum for meetings of the Board will be a quarter or 3 voting Members, whichever is the greater including the Chair and must include representation from North East Derbyshire District Council.

The document includes a Clay Cross Town Board Code of Conduct, which sets out the expected behaviours required of its Board Members, acknowledging that they each have a responsibility to represent the ambition of the Town Deal for Clay Cross and work constructively with the Town Deal Delivery Team and partner organisations to develop and deliver the own Board Investment Plan and associated activities.

The Code of Conduct states that Board Members must be committed to behaving in a manner that is consistent with the Nolan principles³ to achieve best outcome for our residents and maintain public confidence in the actions of the Board.

The document includes a list of voting Board Members.

Update on Baileys Square Tenants

Mohammed Mahroof, Property and Estates Manager, is scheduled to provide a verbal update on the status of the business units in Baileys Square.

Highways Update

Steve Lee, Assistant Director of Regeneration and Programmes, is scheduled to provide a verbal update on highways.