Issue - meetings
Public Realm Improvements (Private Land Agreement) – Middlesex Street Regeneration Programme
Meeting: 09/03/2022 - Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee (Item 6)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Ross Hughes – Programme Manager High Streets presented the report.
This report seeks approval to set-up a grant scheme under the Middlesex
Street Regeneration Programme to carry out public realm improvements to the unused space on the corner of 13 New Goulston Street, E1 7TF (otherwise referred to as New Goulston Corner) in the Middlesex Street area
The grant scheme cost is estimated at £300,000 (inc. design fees and
contingency). This project will be from the Middlesex Street Regeneration
programme which is funded via S106 and CIL.
The Sub – Committee noted the key features of the scheme including:
• The project is to be delivered as a grant scheme. This is because the majority of the works will be on private land owned by a third party – East End Homes who were keen to see the improvements come forward in the area.
• Feasibility Study had been taken out. It was felt that the square would provide the ideal location.
• The project sought to provide a range of improvements, which were noted, as well a providing the new community garden for the school.
• This project should provide a place for visitors to sit, improve foot fall, protect and enhance the setting of the Conservation Area and will mitigate the problems with fly tipping and help reduce ASB.
• A Formal Maintenance agreement will be secured with East End Homes and Uniboss. These two parties will have responsibility for the ongoing maintenance.
• Officers had also secured an agreement with the Council’s Green Team regarding the maintenance of trees.
The Sub – Committee noted the questions submitted by Councillor Leema Qureshi, Scrutiny Lead Resources regarding the following issues
· Inflation costs, in view of the current climate. It was noted that the costs of the project had been carefully worked out, taken into account inflation and potential cost increases. Amendments had been made for example to certain elements of the plans to ensure that the project could be delivered in budget.
· Risks management issues given the third party ownership of the land.
· Responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the land.
· In response, it was empathised that, whilst Officers had carried out risk assessments and had worked with the two third parties involved to take them through the plans, they, not the Council, would have responsibility for all these issues – details of which will be secured in the formal agreement.
· Officers had also agreed with Uniboss increased rents levels, given the expected increase in the land’s value – to provide additional income
· Officers also had also secured the agreement with Parks regarding the tree maintenance, as mentioned above.
The Committee discussed a number of issues as set out below:
• Progress with the Leyden Street Toilet Refurbishment and Shop Front Improvement Scheme. This was to commence soon, whilst, this was separate to this application, these works will complement each other.
• The Business Improvement District Initiative. Reassurances were sought about how this project would contribute to this. ... view the full minutes text for item 6