Issue - meetings

Approved;

1.         The preparation of a Hemel Place Strategy, subject to final approval by Cabinet and Council once further work has been carried out.

2.         The establishment of a Hemel Place Board as outlined in the report to oversee the development and implementation of the Place Strategy, and delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final membership of the Place Board and its Terms of Reference.

3.         The proposals as outlined in the report to carry out engagement with key partners, stakeholders and local residents to help shape the Hemel Place Strategy vision and objectives.

4.         Endorsing the creation of a comprehensive strategy for the future physical, economic, social and environmental development of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre as an early priority for the Hemel Place Strategy work.

5.         The provision of resources to develop the Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy and the related Town Centre Strategy.

6.         RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Council approves a budget of £500K to be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve as required to fund the work to develop the Place Strategy.

7.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) to draw down the allocated funds to produce the work set out in this report.

8.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to prepare and submit a bid to MHCLG for funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Approved;

1.         The preparation of a Hemel Place Strategy, subject to final approval by Cabinet and Council once further work has been carried out.

2.         The establishment of a Hemel Place Board as outlined in the report to oversee the development and implementation of the Place Strategy, and delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final membership of the Place Board and its Terms of Reference.

3.         The proposals as outlined in the report to carry out engagement with key partners, stakeholders and local residents to help shape the Hemel Place Strategy vision and objectives.

4.         Endorsing the creation of a comprehensive strategy for the future physical, economic, social and environmental development of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre as an early priority for the Hemel Place Strategy work.

5.         The provision of resources to develop the Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy and the related Town Centre Strategy.

6.         RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Council approves a budget of £500K to be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve as required to fund the work to develop the Place Strategy.

7.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) to draw down the allocated funds to produce the work set out in this report.

8.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to prepare and submit a bid to MHCLG for funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Advice:

James Doe – There are a lot of things coming together for Hemel Hempstead at this time and the existing Hemel Hempstead Town Centre Strategy is in need of a refresh but other critical projects such as Hemel Garden Communities and Two Waters and Apsley Master Plan are really starting to take off with a number of key sites coming forward. Very important Trends around how people will live and work in the future post-Covid will need to be looked at, as well as fundamental structural changes in economy.

The report proposes Cabinet to consider the establishment of Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy to pull all different strands together, drawing upon work already approved under the growth and infrastructure strategy and the Hemel garden community spatial vision, this applies to whole of the town.

To coordinate action across the town and transformative approach across the town. Section 3 of report outlines things it would cover. There is a need for climate change to be underpinned.

Looking at the strategy around the Town Centre, the next main part needs to be an early piece of work and considering the impact on retailing post-Covid. We need to tackle key sites within the town centre. See appendices for information on addressing key changes and how to make town centre successful, vibrant and ambitious in the future. Looking at all aspect of life and economy within the town centre such as urban design, need for transport, community and wellbeing issues, as there has been a considerable rise in new residential properties within town centre.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27