Minutes:
Rob Fletcher (RF) introduced the meeting noting that the meeting format was intended to be informal and encouraged a wide ranging discussion. Board members were encouraged to speak their mind and as there is only one more meeting before the submission, so now at the stage to narrow down what projects will be put forward for funding.
Stephen Watson (SW) presented an overview of the work to date, including the draft vison and strategic objectives. It then moved onto a discussion on project prioritisation and prioritisation criteria for those projects to be included in the Town Investment Plan (TIP)
SW noted that there is a lot to do in the 7 weeks remaining in order to reach a quality and unique Bid submission and as the work progresses there will always be ongoing opportunities, hence the ongoing introduction of new opportunities. However, the bid is well positioned to deliver a quality and unique submission by 30th October 2020.
SW stressed that the confidentiality of the project list is important – the council and some Board members have signed NDA’s around some of the details. The Board are not being asked to commit projects they are not sighted on, but not all details can be revealed at this time. The minutes of the meeting may also be redacted to maintain confidentiality where appropriate.
The Bid strategy will focus on opportunities that won’t be seen in any other town or bid such as breadth of consultation, and the truly transformational opportunities that will support economic recovery. We want to have reasons for ministers to open our TIP first and demonstrate opportunities for real change.
Our Criteria for Prioritisation include:
· Align with the Towns Fund criteria,
· Align with consultation responses
· Transformational impact
· Financial viability
· Deliverability
Projects have been divided into thematic areas for consideration, which were discussed by the board.
Visitor Attractions
Potential projects include:
• Southport Convention Centre & Theatre
• Pleasureland site
• Other potential attractions
• Marine Village
• Lord St / Civic Square
• Animation of Marine Lake
Business Incubators, Innovation, Skills
Potential projects include:
• Crown Buildings
• Eastbank St
• Southport Business Park
• Skills and Employment Support
• Customer Experience Training
Digital and Transport Connectivity
Potential projects include:
• Digital strategy implementation
• Fibre project
• Southport Station
• Town centre access and car parking
Green spaces
Potential projects include:
• Ainsdale-on-sea
• “Green ribbon” (e.g. Botanic Gardens, Hesketh Park, etc)
Other:
Potential projects include:
• Residential development projects
• Heritage Fund
• Strategic acquisitions fund
• Youth perspective – to be determined from the ongoing consultation process with schools, colleges and university students during September
Next steps:
· What comes from the discussion with young people
· Cabinet 01/10/20 - the Council is the accountable body for submission of bid, so will go to cabinet for their agreement to submit the bid & this will be supported by some high level comms to support this from the Board and the Council.
· Continued project development
· External creative input
· Star Chamber meeting, 18th September
· Challenge session with Towns Hub – to be scheduled
· Will continue to share information over the next month, in order to focus the next meeting on finalising the bid submission.
RF added that he is looking forward to seeing draft submission in advance of next meeting on 21st October.