Agenda item
High Street 2012 Historic Buildings Conservation Scheme (CAB 150/089)
Decision:
Councillor Rofique U. Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda item 11.2 “High Street 2012 Historic Buildings Conservation Scheme” (CAB 150/089). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that:
· The report contained recommendations relating to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Councillor Ahmed was a Board Member - Olympic Delivery Authority - Planning Decision Team.
· The report contained recommendations relating to the regeneration of the Ocean Estate area and environs and Councillor Ahmed was also a member of the governing body of the Ocean Regeneration Trust.
Resolved:
1. That the adoption of a capital estimate in the amount of £ 2 million for the High Street 2012 Historic Buildings Conservation Scheme, be approved;
2. That the priority criteria for development as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report (CAB 150/089), be approved; and
3. That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised to progress the schemes as set out in Paragraph 6 of the report (CAB 150/089).
Action by
CORPORATE DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL
(A. DALVI)
Service Head, Olympics and Paralympic Games, Development and Renewal (N. Smales)
Minutes:
Councillor Rofique U. Ahmed declared a personal interest in Agenda item 11.2 “High Street 2012 Historic Buildings Conservation Scheme” (CAB 150/089). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that:
· The report contained recommendations relating to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Councillor Ahmed was a Board Member - Olympic Delivery Authority - Planning Decision Team.
· The report contained recommendations relating to the regeneration of the Ocean Estate area and environs and Councillor Ahmed was also a member of the governing body of the Ocean Regeneration Trust.
Mr Smales, Service Head Olympic and Paralympic Games, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report:
· Summarised the salient points contained therein as follows:
o High Street 2012 was a strategic regeneration initiative which sought to maximise investment along the A11 corridor using its status as the final stage of the route for the Olympic and Paralympic marathon.
o The High Street 2012 historic buildings conservation scheme was the first of a range of projects along the A11 corridor stemming from the recently completed Vision Study. The Vision Study proposed such schemes with a view to supporting the ongoing regeneration of the high street and continuation as a vibrant place and engaging the local community in regeneration activity and the 2012 Games.
o The Vision study proposed a programme of facade improvements to historic buildings along the route and English Heritage had agreed funding of £1million on a match funding basis.
o The report sought approval for the adoption of the necessary capital estimate for the historic buildings conservation scheme, and the criteria for prioritisation of development along the route.
· Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 5th May 2009, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings.
A discussion followed during which the proposals contained in the report were broadly welcomed, and which focused on the following points:-
· The rationale for the prioritisation of the five clusters of buildings, detailed at paragraph 4.5 of the report, for improvement works.
· The importance of improving the Authority’s own buildings and securing improvement to the public realm was emphasized in the context of funding having been identified for this scheme in the Authority’s 2009/10 Budget, but its resources ultimately being finite.
· The importance of and potential for bringing forward improvement works to school buildings along the High Street 2012 route including those of Central Foundation, Phoenix and Guardian Angel schools. Mr Collins, Corporate Director Children’s Services undertook to examine the case of Guardian Angel School, but assured Members that improvements at the former two schools would be delivered in time.
· The importance of undertaking improvements to Bancroft Library given its close proximity to High Street 2012 and the Olympic marathon route. Clarification was sought and given regarding the current position in respect of securing external funding from English Heritage or other sources of funding for this scheme.
· Formal thanks extended to Mr Smales for his hard work in developing a package of improvements that ran the length of the A11 corridor, and in particular for the inclusion of the block of buildings to the north of St Mary’s Church in Bow which would be celebrating its 700th anniversary at the time of the 2012 Olympics.
Mr Smales, Service Head Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Councillor Francis, Lead Member Housing and Development, also responded to requests for clarification/ assurance in relation to:
· The potential for improvements to Altab Ali Park as part of the 2012 programme of improvements.
· Regeneration of the St Clement Hospital site.
· The potential for improvements to Whitechapel Market.
· The refurbishment and good usage of the art deco former Wickhams Store, as part of the 2012 programme.
The Chair Moved the recommendations as set out in the report and it was: -
Resolved:
1. That the adoption of a capital estimate in the amount of £ 2 million for the High Street 2012 Historic Buildings Conservation Scheme, be approved;
2. That the priority criteria for development as set out in Paragraph 5 of the report (CAB 150/089), be approved; and
3. That the Corporate Director Development and Renewal be authorised to progress the schemes as set out in Paragraph 6 of the report (CAB 150/089).
Supporting documents: