Issue - meetings

Report attached.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of Councillor Noordad Aziz, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Education and Skills and Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Arts, seeking approval to the Accrington Town Centre Masterplan Framework (MF) and Delivery Strategy.

Councillor Whitehead provided a brief introduction to the report and highlighted that the framework would be a continuingly evolving document.  Discussions were on-going with the local college about the potential to deliver town centre change.  Councillor Khan indicated that he was supportive of the proposals and engagement with the education sector.  He hoped that the outcomes would be ambitious and visionary and was keen to work with the Controlling Group to shape the way forward.  Councillor Whitehead acknowledged that buy-in from everyone was needed to progress the Masterplan and added that she would be pleased to work cross-party on this important issue.

Approval of the report was deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

In 2005, Hyndburn Borough Council had created the Accrington Town Centre Strategy.  This strategy had highlighted that Accrington Town Centre was facing major challenges due to changes in shopping habits.  It was also recognised that Accrington had the potential to enhance the quality of the environment in Accrington Town Centre and position itself as a competitive visitor destination.

The Town Centre Strategy had recognised the need for a masterplan which would support the town’s regeneration ambitions and create a town centre that better met the needs of the local community – both existing, and new communities attracted to Accrington in the future.

Cabinet had given its support to the Accrington Town Centre Partnership Board’s recommendation to allocate £150,000 funding to undertake an Arndale Masterplan in the Council’s Investment Plan for the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocation (UKSPF).  In December 2023, the Government had announced 55 towns (which included Accrington) who would each receive up to £20m from Long Term Plan for Towns funding (LTPfT) and it was considered prudent for the Council to extend the work and undertake a wider town centre masterplan.

Lancashire County Council had provided £50,000 match funding to expand the masterplan project to enable high level Transport and Connectivity work to also be undertaken.  Both authorities had worked together in developing a MF to deliver positive change for Accrington Town Centre.  The MF had been developed as a guide to inform planning & development decisions within the town centre and set a vision for the town centre, identifying the short, medium and long-term opportunities for Accrington.

The purpose of the MF document was to build upon the vision established within the Town Centre Investment Plan (TCIP).  The MF had developed a series of key strategic actions and drivers for positive change within the town centre, defining principles which were outlined within the strategic actions.  The site and local character had been thoroughly investigated in order to develop the illustrative masterplan which complemented the historic context.  The illustrative masterplan was intended to provide a clear framework to shape  ...  view the full minutes text for item 403