Agenda item

[Report of the Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration]

This report seeks Cabinet approval to accept a grant offer from the MHCLG under the Future High Streets Fund Programme and to subsequently enter into a grant agreement with MHCLG until March 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which sought approval to accept an offer of £10,019,646 capital grant from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Growth’s (MHCLG) Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) Programme, and to subsequently enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MHCLG.  The Cabinet Member referred on the introduction of the Strategy for Tottenham High Road (2019-29) to Cabinet two years ago which highlighted the pressure to adapt for a digital age and for the Council to intervene in order to future proof town centres and reflected on the context of this last year and the relevance of the strategy at this current time.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions from Councillors Brabazon, Cawley-Harrison, Gordon and Hakata (via Councillor Brabazon):

-           Further information could be provided on the amended business case once stakeholders had engaged with officers.

-           A written response would be provided to provide information in relation to who the external co-funders were and the level of funding received.

-           Gourley Triangle was at very early planning stages and had been identified as a site for change.  There were a significant number of leaseholder interests, and any potential acquisitions would remain confidential until further assessments were made.  It had always been part of the overall high road strategy.  It would not be possible to provide a lot of detail on the plans for Gourley Triangle until preliminary discussions had taken place with relevant stakeholders.

-           All remodelling plans would be carried out in conjunction with residents and businesses.

The Leader added that when ideas and proposals were developed, Members would be kept up to date via briefings to ensure that they were engaged in the process.

RESOLVED to

1.         Approve the receipt of a FHSF grant of £10,019,646 from MHCLG to deliver the Tottenham High Road FHSF programme.

2.         Provide Delegated Authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Director of Finance and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Regeneration, to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with MHCLG for the funding.

Reasons for decision

In February 2019, Cabinet adopted the ‘Strategy for Tottenham High Road 2019-2029’ (‘The Strategy) to guide the next stages of investments. It identifies a series of visions, aims and objectives for the High Road and its town centres, and outlines a range of projects and interventions to respond to the needs of all sectors of the local community, helping to transform the High Road. The Council believes it has a key role to play – working with local partners – to provide stewardship of the High Road as it goes through a period of change. Support from central government is a major opportunity for the issues Tottenham faces to be supported strategically by addressing the entrenched challenges the area faces.

The Strategy is the guiding framework from the Council’s perspective that defines the issues and proposed responses. The Strategy’s aim is to provide clear direction of growth, investment in infrastructure and provide a stimulus for change. There is a strong alignment between the Strategy and the objectives of the Future High Streets Fund, making this opportunity timely for comprehensive and necessary intervention in Tottenham.

The Strategy for Tottenham High Road and parallel strategic drivers (both financial and non-financial) referenced within the programme are already endorsed and awaiting delivery, albeit only ‘unlocked’ once match funding is secured. The recommendations in this report result in significant new resources coming into the council allowing it to implement a number of key projects that form part of the wider Strategy.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: ‘Do Nothing’

This option would be for the Council to not accept the FHSF grant funding offer from MHCLG. No activity is expected under this option beyond existing commitments, under the Strategy for Tottenham High Road. It will not provide an overarching and complementary package of investment that will respond to the structural challenges faced by Tottenham High Road and will be significantly constrained by the level of existing public sector commitments. 

Option 2: ‘Recommended Option’

This option is to accept the FHSF grant funding from MHCLG based on the updated Business Case submission and revised programme. This programme provides the greatest balance between projects that support the objectives of the Strategy for Tottenham High Road and the available FHSF funding envelope. All projects included in the programme are dependent on public sector funding and would not come forward without support from FHSF and/or the Council. The investments will result in a combination of change of use / dependent development and wider improvements that will enhance perceptions of the area, reduce crime, improve safety and enhance footfall and dwell time.

Councillor White advised that he had returned to the meeting during the item, but did not vote as he was not present for the whole item.