Cabinet received a report from the Deputy Managing Director and Director of Place Shaping and Corporate Performance regarding an opportunity for the council to lead on improvement works to the High Street between Clarendon Road and St Mary’s Square. 

Councillor Sharpe introduced the report.  He explained that Cabinet was being asked to approve a proposal to include £800,000 in the 2018/19 Capital Programme to allow further important investment in the public realm.  Considerable investment had continued in Watford’s town centre at a time of falling expenditure in such schemes elsewhere in the country.

The proposal before Cabinet would tie in with highway improvements in the High Street associated with the on-going Charter Place redevelopment, and with The Parade enhancement works which had already been carried out by the council. 

In addition to the re-paving works to the foot and carriage ways between Clarendon Road and St Mary’s Square, Councillor Sharpe explained that the proposed improvements envisaged a shared space with reduced traffic levels, changes to the current taxi and blue badge arrangements, some re-routing of the buses and improved lighting and CCTV provision.

Councillor Bell sought assurance that the views of the general public from the recent consultation as well as those of key stakeholders, particularly the taxi drivers and blue badge holders, would be taken into account when the details of the project were finalised.  In response, the Mayor confirmed that a series of discussions were planned with interested groups, including those mentioned by Councillor Bell, in order to agree a final proposal that balanced a range of disparate views.

In response to a further query by Councillor Bell about the development of the former One Bell public house, there followed a short discussion about the proposal to allow an extension of the building in the conservation area.  The Mayor explained that this was a pragmatic solution, which by making the iconic building more economically viable would ensure its future existence on the High Street. 

Officers commented that in addition, it was hoped the proposal for this asset would provide a catalyst to improve the surrounding area.  Discussions with the Business Improvement District and Hertfordshire County Council were continuing to progress this objective.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet recommends to Council that £800,000 is included in the Capital Programme 2018/19 for the scheme.