Agenda item

Report of the Urban Design and Conservation Manager

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Conservation Management Plan – Actions 2023- 2026 as an action plan for 2023-26 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted.

2.      that progress on the adopted Conservation Area Management Plan – Actions 2023-2026 be monitored by Cabinet through the council’s established Enterprise Project Management Office reporting process.

Cabinet received a report of the Urban Design and Conservation Manager setting out the action plan for the Conservation Areas Management Plan.

The Mayor again thanked officers for their work.  He invited Councillor Saffery to introduce the report. 

Councillor Saffery agreed that this had been the culmination of a lot of work by officers, which had included consultations with residents and members.   The report set out a clear action plan to deliver the strategy.  The aim as the custodian of the town and its heritage was to have a clear action plan.  It would empower residents and enable them to understand the impact on them plus the benefits.

Councillor Saffery proposed an additional recommendation that would ensure progress on the adopted action plan was monitored through the established Enterprise Project Management Office reporting process.

The Mayor invited the Urban Design and Conservation Manager to provide additional information.

The Urban Design and Conservation Manager advised that there had been very beneficial engagement with residents in a variety of different ways.  There were many in person events that had been very helpful and given officers a clearer idea of residents’ priorities.  The action plan had been designed as a response to the feedback.

The Mayor commented that he was aware of how conservations areas could be controversial at times.  The process had been really good and involved a lot of discussion.  He agreed with the addition of Councillor Saffery’s extra recommendation and would support it.

Councillor Watkin stated that he had a conservation area within his ward.  He was also working with another councillor on the reducing traffic speeds on Grove Mill Lane.  He would welcome support in getting the bridge repaired.

The Associate Director for Planning, Infrastructure and Economy, in addition to thanking the Urban Design and Conservation Manager for her work on the plan, added his thanks to the Planning Technician who was currently being supported by the council through an apprenticeship.  This work had been very beneficial to him.

Councillor Bell advised that he had attended the meeting in The Square.  Residents had been unsure what they could do to their property within a conservation area.  He appreciated this being made clearer. He also referred to residents’ comments about St Mary’s Churchyard, who felt the church should be responsible for the maintenance.  However, as this was one of the oldest parts of the town, he did feel the council should be responsible or at least take the lead in the upkeep.

The Urban Design and Conservation Manager informed members that the area around the church was maintained by the council as part of the green parks initiative.  It was a joint project with the church who maintained the church itself.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Conservation Management Plan – Actions 2023- 2026 as an action plan for 2023-26 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted.

2.      that progress on the adopted Conservation Area Management Plan – Actions 2023-2026 be monitored by Cabinet through the council’s established Enterprise Project Management Office reporting process.