Issue - meetings

The Board received a presentation which provided an overview of the Widnes Town Centre Regeneration Framework. 

The presentation also outlined the objectives and spatial strategies to make the town centre more sustainable, cohesive and diverse.  Consultation had taken place across the board, including Members, stakeholders, landowners and members of the public with a particular focus on youth engagement. 

The Board was also provided with an update on progress so far.

Following Members discussion and questions, the following additional information was provided:

• Although in the very early stages, officers confirmed that they had spoken to the owners of Green Oaks to ask if they had any plans or aspirations for their site.  They had also looked at how other towns  had improved their market areas and the lessons that had been learned;

• Councillor Wainwright questioned if there was any intention of moving the market but he was not keen to make any plans on it becoming a food market.  It was confirmed that further consultation would be carried out at a later stage where consideration would be given to the market;

• One of the concerns from the consultation was that the town centre was fragmented and needed to be more joined up, particularly to the Waterfront.  Officers confirmed that this had been addressed in the framework, however, it was a very ambitious goal and it would require a lot of funding; and

• The Council had successfully won a bid from the INEOS Environment Fund for £50k which would be used to support environmental improvements in Widnes Town Centre.  Although such improvements would be a short-term fix, it was hoped that the public would start to see some positive improvements quickly.  This work was being led by Open Spaces and further information would be provided to Board Members via email.

It was agreed that:

·       copies of the presentation slides would be circulated to the Board for information and if they had any further questions, officers would respond accordingly;

·       a site visit for Board Members would be arranged in 12 months time; and

·       a further progress report would be presented in June 2026.

RESOLVED: That the contents of the presentation and the Framework are noted.