Further to Minute 6 of the meeting held on 15 December 2020, the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which summarised the key achievements and the next steps of the High Street Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) scheme that would end on 31 March 2024.  The report reminded the Committee that HSHAZ was a regeneration initiative led by Historic England, working with local councils and the community to create economic growth and improve the appearance and quality of life in historic high streets.  Reading had secured HSHAZ status for three conservation areas in the centre of the town and would receive up to £806,500 from Historic England (HE), with match funding of £808,500.  The Council had entered into a contract with Historic England to run the programme from 1 April 2020.

The report added that the HSHAZ programme was focused on three Conservation Areas (Castle Hill/Russell Street/Oxford Road, St Mary’s Butts/Castle Street, Market Place/London Street) and had the following objectives:

·     To enhance the understanding of Reading’s heritage by revealing its hidden histories and to give the community a sense of pride and ownership in their town.

·     To improve the physical condition and viability of the high streets within the three conservation areas by identifying those properties most at risk and engaging with property owners to help them to restore the buildings, to show them how to maintain the buildings and to share best practice.

·     To develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the public realm across the HSHAZ to provide a better experience and sense of place for those living. working in or visiting the town centre.

·     To support local businesses, the economy and local community and cultural initiatives by creating a positive sense of place through contributing to the heritage of their high street.

The report set out the achievements to date in terms of building rescue and storefront improvements, public realm improvements, the Town Centre historic areas assessments, community engagement and the cultural programme.  The report then detailed the further work to be carried by 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024.

The report also noted that the effects of the covid pandemic and the current economic situation had already impacted on the delivery of the project plan. However, due to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s funding policy, HE was unable tomove unspent funding to following financial years or to extend the life of the programme beyond 31 March 2024.  This had resulted in significant pressure on the team to deliver the projects within the agreed timescale, as the projects were competing for supplies and contractors across the wider construction sector which was already stretched before the pandemic.  These external barriers could impact on the Year 3 delivery plan and lead to the reduction of the scope of the programme.  Officers were working to avoid any significant underspend by engaging with property owners/tenants and other partners to achieve as much as possible within the financial year and make use of the HE budget before the RBC match funding.

Resolved:

(1)      That the achievements of the programme so far detailed in section 4 of the report be noted;

(2)      That the remaining elements and workplan for the programme detailed in section 5 of the report be agreed;

(3)      That the risks identified that might hinder achievement detailed in section 6 be noted.