Agenda item

To update Members on progress on the action plan to increase footfall to Grantham Market place in relation to the Future High Street Fund programme.

The Leader of the Council presented the report which outlined an update on marketplace footfall and options to support the Grantham Town Centre.

The feasibility study and costings of the works to support long-term suggestions to support Grantham Town Centre would be brought to the Committee in November 2024.

Progress had been made with a loyalty card scheme, which was due to be launched on the 1 October 2024.

It was highlighted that works on Grantham marketplace had been completed. The first day of marketplace events would take place on 1 October 2024, to celebrate Lincolnshire Day. Events would take place at St Wulfram’s Church, events from schools and traders.

The official launch event would take place on 19 October 2024, where the festival of community would be held with local businesses, community groups and artists. An extended programme of events was being devised which would consist of at least one monthly event in the marketplace in conjunction with the market diary except for January and February.

The first Town Team meeting would be held on 19 September 2024, where terms of reference for the group would be agreed and more detailed proposals would be developed to form part of an action plan for the town. An update would be provided on the first meeting at the Committee’s next meeting.

The Town Team would be made up of key stakeholders from the Town, with the option to co-opt other team members as the group progressed.

The indicative timetable for delivery of the strategy had been adjusted appropriately, which was set out within the report.

The footfall data provided was positive. It was noted the market had increased its traders from 15 to 35, which would increase the footfall for the town.

ACTION: For the feasibility study and costings of the works to support long-term suggestions to support Grantham Town Centre be added to the Work Programme for November 2024.

One Member highlighted the great success of the marketplace for the Council, and everyone involved. It was hoped the Council could encourage drive for this to take place in other Towns.

One Member requested who was on the membership for Grantham Town Team and how a Councillor’s role would impact the decisions made in the Town Team.

An update was requested on when the Grantham marketplace was due to be pedestrianised.

The Cabinet and Officers were unaware of any current plans to pedestrianise Grantham town centre.

The Leader of the Council confirmed the invitees for Members of the Town Team attending the meeting on 19 September 2024:

-       The Leader of the Council

-       Deputy Leader of the Council

-       Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement

-       Councillor Tim Harrison (Chairman of Grantham Town Council)

It was suggested that the District Councillor’s for Grantham be included within the Town Team. 

The Chairman clarified that the Committee could not make a decision on the membership of the Grantham Town Team.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the thoughts of the Committee on the membership of the Town Team and would address this concern following the meeting.

One Member highlighted the essentiality that Grantham District and County Councillors who cover the area of the town centre be included within the membership of the Grantham Town Team.

Other Members of the Committee had no concerns of Grantham District and County Councillor’s becoming part of the membership of the Town Team; however, this was not the Committee’s decision.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed the membership of the Town Team would be an issue for the Future High Street Board. The Board had a term of reference, membership included and had recently undertaken a review of its terms of reference.

The Finance and Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee had no decision-making powers, therefore, a recommendation would need to be agreed by the Programme Board, for a decision to be made on the membership of the Town Team.

One Member did not see the need for a Town Team and felt that no direct democratic accountability could be taken. It was further noted that some Members on the Town Team were not Grantham Councillor’s.

Further concern was raised of a democratic deficit within the Town Team and felt the process was anti-democratic.

Members welcomed the voucher scheme.

Clarification was sought around the parameters of the ‘vicinity of the marketplace’.

The Leader of the Council clarified the purpose of the loyalty scheme, and the Town Team was to drive footfall in the town centre. The scheme would concentrate on the areas in the vicinity of the Future High Street Fund works and it would be monitored, improved and considered for expansion across the town centre.

Members commented on the charming architecture within the marketplace and the town. 

It was noted that Buckminster could assist and support in the re-development of shops fronts owned by them within Grantham town centre.

One Member highlighted that charities could request to pitch a free stall in Stamford on Stamford Market, it was requested improved communications be provided.

That the Committee:

Notes the update on the action plan to increase footfall to Grantham Market place as part of the Future High Street programme.