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The Committee received and considered the report from the HAZ Project Officer.
The HAZ Project Officer updated Members on the four-year Historic England part-funded Heritage Action Zone scheme for Great Yarmouth. The scheme comprised of a series of projects and workstreams which collectively tackled problems of empty, redundant and neglected buildings through repair and re-use, transforming dilapidated properties into new homes, shops and community spaces. Through capital projects, it would repair and restore the historic environment and public realm and encourage property owners to invest in conservation improvements to restore historic character through a scheme of small grants.
The project strategically aligned with the Future High Street Fund and Town Deal Investment Plan actions and objectives and would deliver a significant community benefit. Community engagement was embedded throughout the scheme. The major building projects included training and skills development in traditional construction methods. Other projects supported heritage protection, through better design and local listing, and would engage people in learning and contributing to the historic record of the area. A separate cultural activities programme, through a consortium run by OutThere Arts, together with the HAZ community engagement activities would attract residents, shoppers and visitors. The scheme would increase footfall and encourage a better understanding of the historic importance of the buildings, townscape and heritage of the HAZ.
Two third-party grant schemes for building owners and tenants in the HAZ area would be launched at the beginning of June. A total of £250,000 was available to fund grants of up to £10,000 to building owners, or tenants with the support of their landlord. The grants would cover a maximum of 75% of total costs for shopfront improvements and 80% for building repairs. All works must be directly related to conservation or improvements that protect the heritage value of the building and wider HAZ area.
Councillor P Carpenter questioned whether delegation should be made to a named Strategic Director in consultation with the Leader of the Council. The Chief Executive Officer explained that this was not necessary under the grant funding regulations and she assured the Committee that the relevant Member Working Group would have had sight of and agreed any funding expenditure before it was signed off by a Strategic Director.
Councillor Williamson thanked the HAZ Project Officer for the level of detail in her report which would have required a great deal of work on her part and that he fully supported this report.
Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked for clarification regarding whether the Town Deal and Great Yarmouth Town Centre Member Working Group referred to in the report was, in fact, the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Masterplan Member Working Group. The Chief Executive Officer confirmed that it was and Councillor Plant requested that, in future, reports contained the correct Member Working Group title to save any further confusion.
The Chief Executive Officer further reported that it was possible that an additional Member Working Group could be needed to oversee the development of the proposed learning Centre in the Market Place.
Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked for confirmation as to whether there were any Members assigned to the Arts & Culture Liaison Board. The Corporate Services Manager informed the Committee that Councillors Plant & A Wright were appointed to this Board on behalf of the Council. Councillor Williamson reported that it consisted of 43 members from various organisations.
RESOLVED:-
(i) That the Committee note the Heritage Action Zone progress update.
(ii) That the Committee delegate authority to any Strategic Director to sign off HAZ Scheme grants to third-parties, including items B, C, D, E, F and N from the main HAZ projects list which appears at paragraph 1.6 of this report, subject to approval of an application by the Officer Working Group and compliance with all relevant scheme criteria, conditions and checks.
(iii)That the Committee delegate authority to any Strategic Director to sign off HAZ Scheme expenditure on items A and G of paragraph 1.6, subject to approval of these items by the Officer Working Group and compliance with all relevant scheme criteria, conditions and checks.
(iv)That the Committee approve expenditure of HAZ Scheme funds on items H, I, J, K, L and M of paragraph 1.6 as incidental project costs which meet the Scheme criteria and conditions.