Decision details

The Service Director, Prosperity presented his report to members which set out a framework for a targeted, focussed and co-ordinated package of support for businesses in our town centres that would allow businesses to grow and thrive, increasing employment and prosperity leading to town centres becoming vibrant places at the heart of our communities.

The Service Director advised that the package of support considered the long term future of the Council’s town centres and residents, visitors and businesses that depend on them.  Creating sustainable long term prosperity across town centres was critical to the prevention of decline in communities and facilitating investment which would create jobs and prosperity with strong local businesses.

He continued by advising that the support measures would be made available to town centre businesses so that they can take advantage of trading and market opportunities at the right time and come forward with sustainable investment proposals. The package would be focussed in a coordinated way across  key town centres.

Members were referred to section 6 of the report which provided further detail into the proposed framework including Town Centre Strategies and Masterplans;  Non Domestic Rates (NDR) – A New Business Rate Reduction Scheme;  •      Enterprise Support Programme, •Town Centre Maintenance Grant, •          Pontypridd Property Investment Programme; •  Town Centre WiFi; •            Building Resilience, Prosperity and Wellbeing Project, ; •        Town Centre Prominent Building Enhancement Programme and •   Support For Businesses to Meet Their Statutory Obligations.

The Cabinet Member Enterprise spoke of the importance of supporting business within the communities of RCT adding that the raft of measures proposed provided a coherent and cohesive package of support.  He commented on the innovative measures being put forward and spoke of the success being seen already in some Town Centres referencing the additional footfall witness in Tonypandy since the de- pedestrianisation .

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    That the targeted package of Support for Businesses set out within the report be delivered and monitored for the benefit of town centre businesses;

2.    That the detailed proposals for a local discretionary town centre Business Rate Reduction scheme, as set out in the report, be developed and brought forward for Cabinet’s consideration;  and

3.    That elements of the package should be further developed and reports prepared as appropriate for the development of town centre strategies and masterplans and a prominent building enhancement programme.