Agenda item

Briefing Note and presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

Councillors J O’Boyle and D Welsh, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

The Committee considered a Briefing Note, together with a comprehensive and detailed presentation at the meeting, which provided an update and progress on key City Centre development projects.

The Briefing Note indicated that the regeneration and physical transformation of the City Centre is a key priority for the City Council, as well as the wider set of stakeholders the City Council is working with to bring improvement and positive change to the City.

City centres experience constant evolution and renewal and, for Coventry, this process is given even sharper focus through projects being delivered either in readiness for, or as a legacy to, City of Culture 2021. These projects are also set against the backdrop of unprecedented change to “the high street”, and the town and city centres in which they operate.

The Briefing Note and presentation covered the following areas of redevelopment:-

·  City Centre South

·  Key City Centre development schemes:-

-  Friargate

-  Coventry rail station

-  The Wave

-  Coventry Evening Telegraph scheme

-  Co-op Scheme

·  Key public realm schemes:-

-  Upper Precinct, Smithford Way and Market Way

-  Bullyard and Public Realm outside “The Wave”

-  Hertford Street

-  Pool Meadow

-  Walking routes

-  Lighting

-  Travel and Transport

-  Public Realm Refresh

-  Stakeholder engagement

 The Committee questioned the officers on a number of issues and responses were provided, matters raised included:-

·  The communication strategy for the work being undertaken and how the people of Coventry are being kept informed of developments and enthused and excited about the proposals

·  Liaison and working in partnership with the City of Culture Trust in relation to their proposals

·  The leisure offer in the City Centre (particularly in relation to the night time economy) and proposals to improve this

·  Enforcement proposed to ensure that damage is prevented to the newly refurbished areas

·  Greenery proposals for the City Centre

·  Proposals to encourage micro/ niche retailers and local businesses and opportunities for “pop up” shops/stalls

·  Types of housing proposed in the city centre and the development and maintenance standards proposed for those developments

·  Street furniture, including seating and shelter arrangements proposed

·  Toilet provision in the City Centre

·  Social value clauses in contracts and work being undertaken to promote job opportunities for local people

·  Plans to improve areas just outside of the ring road using the public realm refresh fund

·  Proposed maintenance of the refurbished area, particularly in relation to the proposed water features

The Committee asked that an update on the Station Masterplan be circulated.

RESOLVED:-

1)  That the update on the City Centre developments projects be noted and welcomed

2)  That the Committee receive a further progress report in the new Municipal Year

3)  That officers be requested to look at producing an interactive version of the “Busy Year” slide shown as part of the presentation, to be widely publicised to residents

4)  That the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities be requested to investigate the enforcement of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the refurbished Public Realm areas