Agenda item

(Report to follow)

This report will follow in a Supplementary Papers pack once the report has been published for consideration of the Cabinet.

The Bromsgrove Centres Manager presented the Bromsgrove Centres Action Plan Review 2024/25 for Members’ consideration. It was highlighted that the Bromsgrove Centres Strategy and Action Plan for 2023-2026 was approved by Members in January 2023. The Action Plan set out Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and success of the Strategy and Action Plan. These KPIs included budget monitoring, and actions, and responses in respect of certain projects. Outstanding actions from the previous action plan would be carried forward and continued in the 2024/25 municipal year.

Following the presentation of the report there was a detailed discussion regarding aspects of the Bromsgrove Centres Action Plan. This included the following areas:

• Village Centres outside of Bromsgrove Town – Members reiterated that wards such as Alvechurch, Barnt Green and Rubery also had vibrant high streets. Members asked questions with respect of what initiatives had been planned in those Village Centres. Officers confirmed that initiatives such as Shopwatch scheme could be replicated in the outlying Centres. It was further stated that the Action Plan included specific actions with respect of Village Centres including Rubery, Alvechurch, Aston Fields, Catshill, Hagley and Wythall.

• The Board agreed that it be recommended to Cabinet that the action plan be named as Bromsgrove District Centres Action Plan to emphasise that it was intended to target all wards in Bromsgrove. On being put to the vote this recommendation was carried.

• Shopwatch Scheme and reporting of shoplifting to the Police – It was reported that the Shopwatch scheme would be launched in March / April 2024. Collaboration with Redditch Business Improvement District was embedded within the Scheme to ensure a linked approach in deterring shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in retail outlets across Bromsgrove and Redditch. The Scheme was supported by the Police, Bromsgrove and Redditch Councils, and the Community Safety Team. Some Members raised concerns that the Scheme was unlikely to be effective unless the Police increased its level of support and responsiveness that it provided to retailers. Officers responded that the Shopwatch Scheme was being launched on request of the retailers in Bromsgrove Town Centre. The Scheme would provide businesses with access to the Disc Platform, a digital reporting platform which shops and businesses could use to report shoplifting incidents. This would be important as it would allow retailers to log evidence of the incident. It was hoped that this would contribute to better response and prosecution of shoplifting.

• Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in Bromsgrove Town Centre – Some Members expressed disappointment that despite a TRO being in force in the Town Centre, it was ineffective due to lack of bollards blocking the entrance to the Town Centre at Church Street. This meant vehicles were still able to access the pedestrian zone outside of loading hours. The Bromsgrove Centres Manager responded that feedback was being awaited from Worcestershire County Council. It was stated that amendments to TRO would require a consultation on delivery times and other requirements with businesses.

• Shop frontages enforcement – It was explained that the Council had taken steps to encourage businesses to improve the appearance of shop frontages. Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), shop frontage improvement grants were provided to the Council. As part of this, an additional member of staff had been in place to support the Bromsgrove Centres Manager in writing to businesses advising them of the grants available to help with improving shop frontages. For premises, where a poor quality of appearance was identified and which had not responded to communications from the Council, there were further possible enforcement options, including powers available to issue Community Protection Warnings (CPW), which could be upgraded to Community Protection Notice (CPN), if no action was being taken by the premises. The use of powers under Section 215 (s215) of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 were also available, which provided a local planning authority (LPA) with the power, in certain circumstances, to take steps to improve the condition of buildings.

• Implementation of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) public realm grant improvements – Members requested information on specific projects including timeframe within which repairs to flower baskets could be carried out in Rubery Centre. It was responded that approval would be required from Worcestershire County Council for this, however, the Officer undertook to provide information about the timeframe for this project.

• Bromsgrove Youth and Community Hub – It was noted that this initiative was operated by the voluntary sector It was requested that Officers provide information on how much funding the Council provided to this initiative.

• Vacant Units on Bromsgrove High Street – It was reported that the number of vacant units were reported in November each year. The figure for Bromsgrove High Street was 15 vacant units as of November 2023. However, the more up-to-date figure was available for March 2024 which showed this decreased to 13 vacant units.

• Strategies to attract investment to Bromsgrove Centres – It was reported that Bromsgrove Centres Manager had been in direct contact with landlords and letting agents about opportunities to fill vacant units and attract business investment to Bromsgrove.

RECOMMENDED

1)    that the action plan be named ‘Bromsgrove District Centres Action Plan’ to emphasise that it is targeting centres in all wards of the District.

2)    the Bromsgrove Centres Action Plan 2024/25 attached at Appendix 2 be approved.