Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor James Flannery.

Minutes of 14 December 2022 attached for approval.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

To include update on discussions regarding market traders following the last meeting.

Portia Taylor Black gave an update on progress on the Town Deal. She shared a presentation showing the design overview of the project.

Ian Leivesley, Director of Commercial Services reported that the relevant planning applications relating to the Town Deal had now been to the Planning Committee.

However, there were issues relating to LCC Highways who did not feel able to support all the requirements. A meeting was therefore to be arranged in a couple of weeks to discuss a way forward and ensure that the elements of the project complement each other.

There were also other issues as regards the Environment Agency, who needed to review the flood risk to assess potential overflow from the brook to the Balfour Court car park.

The Chair of the Town Deal Board  agreed to write a letter to these responsible authorities in support of the application and the requirements of the Town Deal project. Katherine Fletcher MP also agreed to send an official letter in her capacity as a Member of Parliament.

Portia Taylor-Black explained that the Balfour Court acquisition was required for the Town Deal project to progress. The market traders were keen to establish timelines for the works that would affect them, however that would not be possible until Balfour Court had been resolved. She stressed that she had completed an assessment of the traders’ requirements, so we can work on designs on how to house them while the work is in progress.

Resolved:

i)That the progress update be noted; and

ii) That Portia Taylor-Black update the Board as to developments with the market traders; and

iii) That letters of support be sent from the Chair and Katherine Fletcher MP to the relevant authorities to progress matters as quickly as possible.

Portia Taylor-Black circulated the latest Risk Register. There were a number of outstanding high risk areas, however these should be mitigated now that funding had now been allocated and once work actually commences. As regards the risk relating to a clash with future LCC highways work, the Council is trying to mitigate by meeting with them to resolve the issue.

It was noted that some of the actions were assigned to Rachel Salter, who had now left the Council. Portia agreed to update the Risk Register accordingly.

Ian Leivesley congratulated Portia on her hard work so far and also thanked the Board for their hard and commitment.

Resolved: That the Risk Register be noted.

None.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 11 May 2023 at 8.00am in the Civic Centre, Leyland.