Worksop Town Board - June 2024

Worksop Town Board.

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 11^th June 2024 at Middletons Yard, Potter Street, Worksop S80 2FT

Present in person:

Andria Birch (Chair, AB), Cllr Julie Leigh (JL), Cllr Keith Girling (KG), Laurie Griffin (LG), Phil Jackson (PJ), Karen Whitlam (KW), Michael Hirst (MH), Stephen Marwood (SM), Peter Gaw (PG), Sally Gillborn (SG), Tracey Mace-Akroyd (TMA), Heather Frecklington (HF)

Non-voting Officers:

Craig Taylor (BDC), Natalie Cockrell (BDC), Emma Illingworth (BDC), Joelle Davies (NCC)

Apologies for absence were received from:

Scott Knowles, Sean McGinley, David Skepper

The meeting opened at 14:00.

A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.

1. Welcome, introductions and declarations of interest

Each member of the Board introduced themselves and declarations of interest were received from;

• Andria Birch – BCVS would potentially bid into any future funding pots made available for projects, interventions, revenue funding (secretariat, project management support etc) on its own behalf, or on behalf of the voluntary sector.
• Karen Whitlam – Citizens Advice would potentially bid into any future funding pots made available for projects and interventions.
• Michael Hirst – Is a representative on multiple town boards, and BPL has an interest in the Worksop Priory Centre as the leisure partner for the site.
• Cllr Keith Girling – As Cabinet member for NCC has a place on multiple town board across North Nottinghamshire
• Peter Gaw - Is a representative on multiple town boards
• Stephen Marwood - Is a representative on multiple town boards
• Joelle Davies – Although a none voting member JD is also a member of North Notts BID and Futures boards

2. Chair Update on Westminster Visit

• Direction from the meeting was that Boards are to identify need via public consultation and engagement, then prioritise the intervention selection accordingly.
• Participatory budgeting and grants are encouraged
• Section 151 officer is not to decide projects on behalf of the Town Board as it sits outside of LA
• Chair is to be directive where required
• Board and LA is to invest in VCS sector as equal partners to increase capacity
• Boards are encouraged to develop a brand identity to distinguish the LTPT, e.g. Worksop Together.
• Chair will be submitting train ticket cost to be repaid from the revenue funding

3. Matters Arising

• BCVS would be interested to provide secretariat support to the Board after August.
• Task and finish group for staffing will be moved forward once the Vision and Strategy have been submitted to government.

4. Membership and attendance log

• It was noted that some organisations have been unable to attend previous meetings and the Chair has agreed to formally write to these partners to request their presence at all meetings to ensure quorum is met, and that when decisions are made all voting board members are aware of relevant background detail.
• Board members recognised that the OPCC has been unable to attend due to elections, but a representative is required in line with the guidance notes.

5. Further guidance received from government

• Will be sent out to Board Members and published on BDC’s website.

6. Focus Consultants – Consultation and draft document update

• 6 week consultation period closed on 24^th May, with 466 resident responses, 38 business/organisation responses, and 44 individual stakeholder responses.
• The data will be analysed and presented back to board on 3^rd July

Emerging headlines from the resident’s survey;

Characteristics

• Most town centre users are individual service users (doctors, post office etc.) or shoppers.
• Two-thirds drive to Worksop.
• Visitors to other towns do so for more choice for shopping/retail and eating/drinking.
• Characterised by commuting elsewhere with little retention.

Challenges 

• Transport and Connectivity: extended bus timetables, roads, better facilities.
• Highstreets, Heritage and Connectivity: converting underutilised spaces to leisure areas, community facilities, shops, market traders, food and drink outlets, and more events.
• Safety and Security: evening ASB, more police presence.

Priorities 

1. Supporting/attracting businesses
2. Improving the evening offer
3. More green space and improved public realm
4. Timeline and Programme

• From 1 April 2024 to 1 August 2024:
• Town Boards submit their Long-Term Plans (comprising their 10-year vision and 3-year investment plan) from 1 April and before 1 August. The Plan will set out how funding will be allocated and spent.
• The earlier the Town Board is established, and Plan submitted, the quicker funding can be unlocked by DLUHC.
• DLUHC assess plans as they come in, and release 2024 to 2025 capital and revenue funding once plans are approved.

8. AOB

No AOB was raised.

The meeting closed at 15:50.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, June 25, 2024