Agenda item

Rhannu’r newyddion diweddaraf ag Aelodau’r Pwyllgor.

The Service Director – Prosperity and Development took Members through the report on Town Centre Regeneration and Development which provided a summary update on the progress being made to deliver town centre regeneration in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT). At paragraph 3.2 it was highlighted that the economy of town centres in RCT had been challenged, over the last two years as a result of the external economic influences of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, storms and flooding and the changing patterns of the retail sector, which had seen national chain retailers leaving high street locations. Because of this, Town Centre Regeneration continued to be a key priority for the Council. At paragraph 4, the Service Director – Prosperity and Development noted that this was a detailed report and then provided Members with examples across town centres of what had been achieved under the various categories including Key Town Centre investments, Town Centre Business Engagement and Support, Financial Assistance for Town Centre businesses, Making Town Centres safer for visitors during the Pandemic and Key Town Centre Investments. At paragraph 4.55 it was highlighted that business engagement and support for town centres, was provided, which included facilitating a business community network.  In addition, at paragraph 4.62, it was highlighted that the Regeneration Service offered a range of financial assistance to town centre businesses and paragraphs 4.63 to 4.68 set out some of the support available. Other support for town centres included a free public access wi-fi and a street café furniture permit scheme, which had been introduced in Aberdare and Pontypridd, to regulate safe outdoor trading whilst making town centres safe for visitors, during the pandemic.  The Service Director – Prosperity and Development concluded by explaining that the report gave a flavour of some of the work going on across town centres.

Following the update, Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions.

Councillor J Williams noted her attendance at Cabinet in January 2019, when the Porth regeneration strategy was approved, and had asked as the strategy was developing, if local members could be consulted on what was going on. She felt disappointed that this hadn’t happened as she felt local Members had local knowledge of what people wanted.  She felt that the One4All Centre needed more publicity for people to know what they could do there. In respect of 38 Hannah Street, she noted £160k had been spent on it but was concerned that it was not clear why the Council was doing up that particular building, when there were other empty sites. She also felt that a lot of the people who use Hannah Street would not have taken part in online consultations, so would have been left out of the loop.  In relation to Oldway House, she asked if something could be done to improve the outside condition / look of the building.

The Service Director – Prosperity and Development apologised to the Member that she hadn’t been kept up to date on the developments in Porth. He noted that there was a town centre team, whose role was to engage and update, but he was happy to pick this up and provide more detailed updates on the projects. In terms of the empty properties, he noted that the challenge was that the grants given out were to developers and it was trying to find developers who wanted to come into the towns and invest. He noted that 38 Hannah Street was a good example of a developer who wanted to the space as a co-working space and therefore able to work with the developer to obtain the £138k from Welsh Government (WG). He noted that the Council was currently going through the process of buying the derelict piece of land, next to that building, to look at what could be done, noting it was in a poor state. He noted that enforcement action was also being taken in the town, but it was challenging. In respect of Oldway House, the Service Director – Prosperity and Development, explained that staff were starting to go back into the building, but in terms of what the building looked like outside, this was something he could raise as an issue with Corporate Estates colleagues.

Councillor J Williams asked what could be done in respect of legislation, noting a couple of the properties that were an eye sore.

The Service Director – Prosperity and Development noted that with any funding given to the developer, there was a charge on the property, but it was a long process, so it was challenging but acknowledged the Member wanted to be kept up to date.

Councillor Cullwick thanked the Officer for the report and asked around investment for Penygraig, noting that this was a big ward of 5700 people, which was bigger than Tonypandy.

The Service Director – Prosperity and Development fed back that Welsh Government funding primarily focusses on principal town centres, there being 8 in Rhondda Cynon Taf including Tonypandy, with Penygraig being outside of this and in the next tier. The Service Director added that the Council continues to engage with Welsh Government to explore options to enable the funding to be spread across other areas, including Penygraig.

Councillor Evans fed back that the report was positive, noting there were so many projects and asked in respect of paragraph 4.4.3, the Repair/Reuse shop, whether this was now open.

The Service Director – Finance & Improvement Services confirmed that works are underway and the completion date is estimated to be early in the new financial year.

Councillor Thomas referred to page 24, paragraph 4.54, the Treorchy Sewing Enterprise, and asked if this was an example of a Worker Co-operative?

The Service Director – Prosperity and Development explained that he would obtain further details on this enterprise and feedback to the Member.

Mr Veale, the Parent/Governor Representative acknowledged the important issue of car parking charges and whilst they had been frozen and noting the benefit of free car parking during the festive period, he requested feedback on what thought had been given to the overall impact on the regeneration of town centres. Councillor J Williams also noted in respect of car parking charges, that many machines did not accept cards and there was a need, where paying, to look at how people could pay.

The Service Director – Prosperity and Development explained that he has not been specifically involved in car parking charge considerations and noted it is an area raised in town centres business/forums. The Service Director indicated that further information would be obtained from the relevant service and fed back to Committee Members.

The Chairman requested for further details to be provided on the sources of funding where it was not indicated in the report. The Service Director indicated that this will be reviewed and where appropriate further information provided.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update contained within the report.