Agenda item

The Leader of the Council presented the report which updated the Committee on the Grantham Future High Streets Fund programme.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had paid the entirety of the capital funding allocation for Grantham’s Future High Street Programme which totalled £5,556,042 and was match funded by the Council in the sum of £379,092.

The Public Realm Projects, the Market Place and Station Approach (Subset One in the report) had both been delivered and completed.

The Conduit Lane Public Toilets Refurbishment (Subset Two in the report), which had been closed for a significant period of time had been totally overhauled and refurbished to provide a facility which had controlled access with the toilets being re-opened in January 2025.

As part of Subset Three of the report, the Upper Floor Grants Programme, 22 new residential units had been created within the town centre of Grantham.

Subset Four of the report covered the Grantham Town Team which had met three times and were supported by the Town Engagement Manager. It was hoped that this post would be extended.  The Action Plan for the Town Team had been approved by Cabinet in January 2025.

Subset Five concerned the MHCLG and monthly Officer meetings continued to take place with MHCLG Funding Delivery Managers to provide updates on progress and discuss issues.  Officers had been engaging with MHCLG on the current underspend for the Programme exploring the options for funding additional works from the released risk and contingency budget. 

A formal Project Adjustment Request had been submitted on 7 February 2025 to see if the additional works put forward could be funded through the programme underspend which had been identified (£882,695).   Due to the grant requirements of MHCLG the additional work had to relate to the existing project delivery, the enhancements proposed included power provision and street furniture in the marketplace.

A discussion followed on the costs involved in respect of the toilets at Conduit Lane, Grantham. Some Members felt that the costs involved were very high.  The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer reminded the Committee that the toilets had sat redundant and underused for over ten years and therefore had fallen into disrepair and required a comprehensive refit.  The Future High Street Board had specified £190,000 of the fund for the repair and the specification for the project had been worked within the financial threshold which had been granted.  The work had included the complete removal of all the previous sanitaryware, tiles, flooring, ceilings, facias, soffits, doors and security.  The list was extensive and was a complete modernisation and refit out of the building. It was noted that those who had visited the facility would be aware of the high security which was now in place at the location and also a steel door which could only be accessed via a payment system which was expensive due to the modern technology used, the building had been brought up to modern standards.  A question was asked if the cost of demolition and rebuild had been looked at, but it was confirmed this had not been considered.

Further discussion followed in respect of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request had been submitted in respect of the Conduit Lane refurbishment and the reply that had been given and whether further information could be released.  It was stated that material in respect of the project contained commercial sensitive information and Data Protection did not allow it to be disclosed.  Further discussion on the amount of information that could be released followed but it was stated Officers could only work within the rules and regulations that covered FOI’s.

One Member asked if the new residential units in the town centre could be used as Council housing stock.  But it was confirmed these were privately owned premises which had been enhanced using the Future High Street Fund and to which the owners had also made significant investment in.  A question was also asked about the extra cost to the Council to administer the funds supplied by the Government. 

It was stated that within the funds allocated by Government there were costs to cover the administration of the funds.  It was also noted the grant funding for the residential units had kick started the private sector and landlords involvement in the project.

Further discussion in respect of the FOI and the Conduit Land toilet refurbishment followed and it was asked if a list of the works as indicated by the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer could be sent to the requestee.  It was stated Officers could only respond to the question that was asked in the original FOI.   After further discussion it was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the Committee receive a complete breakdown of the costs involved in the Conduit Lane Public Toilet Refurbishment.

Ø Action

That the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer provide the Committee with a complete breakdown of costs in respect of the Conduit Lane Public Toilet Refurbishment.

Further comments were made in respect of the costs of the refurbishments and also the charge of 20pence. 

A comment was made about the £114k that had been allocated for events, whether any consideration had been given to use the funds in different ways to enhance investment, such as start-up grants or subsidised business rates as it was felt there were other ways to generate higher returns in respect of regeneration.  Also, a question was asked whether the Grantham Town Council Chairman had attended the Town Team meeting on 16 January 2025.

The Leader stated the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer had given a comprehensive list of why the Conduit Lane Toilet Refurbishment had cost the amount it had and reiterated the Committee had asked for a breakdown of those costs.  The 20pence was not an extortionate price to pay and it also controlled entry into the property to prevent misuse of the facilities.

The £114k for events was reviewed to see how the money could be spent.  Currently there was a programme of events to help build community and footfall within the town, work was on going with the community to put those events on.  The Chair of Town Council had resigned and was therefore not at the Town Team meeting however, Councillor Harrison had attended due to his involvement with the business community.

The Committee was reminded the Action Plan had been debated and agreed by the Committee at the January meeting before going before Cabinet where it was approved.   It was not just events but money was being used in respect of a market study and engagement with the Town Team and other areas such as pop up shops and loyalty card schemes.

A question was asked if there was an update in respect of the vacant unit in the cinema complex.  It was confirmed that Heads of Terms had been agreed and the unit was due to be operational by the Autumn.  It was also confirmed t the operator of the unit was within the hospitality sector.

Further discussion followed in respect of the underspend and what the money would be spent on, and it was asked if a list could be circulated to the Committee.

Members noted the update.