Agenda item

The Panel received a report which provided an update on existing and planned placemaking programmes and, and details on place making funding streams. The report was introduced by Anna Blandford AD for Regeneration and Economic Development and as set out in the agenda pack at pages 33-46. The Panel also received a presentation which was included in the tabled papers additional agenda pack. The following arose during the discussion of this report:

1. The Panel sought assurances about building good relations with the community in Tottenham, particularly around Seven Sisters Market. In response, officers emphasised the Shaping Tottenham strategy, which had been developed in conjunction with the local community. There had also been a number of stakeholder panels set up for Tottenham Hale. The Council had recently completed the refurbishment of the Welbourne Centre and Down Lane Park which, it was hoped, had built a degree of trust that the Council was acting in the interests of local residents. In relation to Seven Sisters Market, it was acknowledged that there had been a lot of delays and that this had been frustrating to the market stall holders. The Council had been working with Places for London and hardship payments had been made to the stall holders. A new contractor for the site had been appointed and it was hoped it would reopen next year. 
2. The Panel commented on their frustrations with delays to the reopening of Seven Sisters Market and the fact that it was located at a key gateway to London. In response, officers acknowledged the Panel’s frustrations with delays in opening a temporary market. It was commented that the Council had been active in lobbying TfL, but that the project had been impacted by TfL’s difficult financial position.
3. The Panel sought assurances around Bruce Grove railway arches and concerns that the company that bought the site had applied to the Council for funding to refurbish them. In response, officers advised that they looked into the possibility of getting heritage funding for the site but that there was not enough funding available to help with the project. Officers set out that the company that bought the site would have to undertake the project without financial support from the Council.
4. The Panel raised concerns about recent reports in the media that Lendlease had walked away from the High Road West programme and the ongoing delays and costs involved in the scheme to date, particularly from flats being boarded up and the Council receiving no rent. In response, officers advised that Lendlease had publicly announced their intention to move out of Europe. It was stated that Lendlease was still the Council’s development partner for High Road West and they were still under contract with the Council. Officers advised that they were unable to say much more about it at this stage. Officers advised that they were in discussion with other services within the council to see if some of the empty properties could be used to provide Temporary Accommodation.
5. The Panel enquired whether it was anticipated that Lendlease would have to sell its UK arm wholesale or whether it might be done piecemeal. In response, officers reiterated that there was not much they could say, but that Lendlease had reaffirmed their commitment to the project during calls with the Council. Officers suggested that in the eventuality that the scheme did not proceed as planned there were a range options available.
6. The Chair noted that the Council needed to improve its communications around highlighting when the Council made improvements to the local community. It was suggested that often residents were very positive about public realm improvements brought to their local area through placemaking schemes, but that they did not necessarily link the improvements to having been done by the Council.  
7. The Panel emphasised the need for seating and useable public realm infrastructure in designing town centres and that hostile architecture should be avoided where possible. In response, officers acknowledged this point and commented that public realm works should be friendly and accessible to all.

RESOLVED

That the update was noted.