Agenda item - Acomb Front Street – Phase 2 Update (18:20)

The purpose of this report is to provide Executive with feedback from the public engagement and to outline the recommended next steps for the project.

Resolved:

i. Approved the high-level principles set out for the phase 2 scheme design as detailed in Table 3, reconfirming Executive’s agreement to allocate £570k of UKSPF monies to Acomb and instruct officers to finalise project designs and costings on this basis.

Reason: In October 2023, it was agreed that an update on

Phase 2 would come back to Executive for their consideration following public engagement. Phase 2 timescales are tight because delivery against UKSPF spend deadlines is extremely challenging (March 25). This progress report brings forward as much as detail possible for Executive to agree the high-level principles, thus allowing the scheme design and costings to be finalised in time for a planned start on site by the end of September 2024.

ii. Delegated authority to approve the recommendations on the final costed scheme design be to the Executive Member for Economy & Culture, to be made at a public decision session in September 2024.

Reason: Delivery against UKSPF spend deadlines is extremely

challenging (March 25). This progress report brings forward as much as detail possible for Executive to agree the high-level principles, however additional work is still required to finalise designs and costings. It is crucial the learnings and analysis generated from the quantum of engagement responses are reflected in the final designs, and thereby addresses community concerns/ future aspirations.

iii. Given the tight spending timescales of the UKSPF

funding, agree a number of practical next steps to enable officers to commence further necessary preparatory work ahead of final scheme design/costing decisions being made in September 2024, namely:

(a) that work be progressed on the scope, design and procurement of seating/planting, wayfinding/signage and the local ‘place-making/identity’ elements of Phase 2 e.g.

public art/mural(s), and that alternative funding options for this work also be investigated, and to delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Economy & Regeneration (in consultation with the Head of Procurement and the Director

of Governance) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting contracts.

Reason: Reason, to allow necessary preparatory work to progress and to reduce risks around the tight UKSPF delivery timescales for these elements of the project.

(b) approved commencement of work to enable the statutory consultation for two new Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) required for the proposed new disabled parking area at York Road layby and 20mph speed restriction in main shopping area of Front Street, and to delegate authority to approve the implementation of the TRO’s to the Executive Member for Economy & Culture ( in consultation with the Executive

Member for Transport) when considering the final scheme in September 2024.

Reason: Statutory Consultation for a Traffic Regulation Order is

required to engage with local traders and businesses to identify any risks or mitigations required to the proposals. There is a 6–7- week lead time with this consultation, commencement of this work prior to consideration of final design in September avoids delay to construction programme and implementation.

(c) asked officers to commence discussions with Make it York to explore the potential for amending the licence for Acomb Front Street Market granted under the Markets Charter for York, to allow a possible future increase in the frequency of market activity in Acomb, and to delegate authority to the Executive Member for Economy & Culture to determine any recommended future amendments to the licence in this regard.

Reason: initial 3-month market trial has been successful with positive feedback received from residents, local businesses, and traders. The artisan market enhances existing retail offering, increasing marketfrequency would deliver against the community’s desire for more activity and potentially offer scope to involve the community in events.

The Markets Charter for York has existed since 1316. The purpose of the Charter is to ensure that the Shambles Market is the principal market for York. As such, no markets are permitted within a six and two-thirds mile of the Shambles Market unless they are on a trial basis or unless the Council agrees to a licence under the Charter. Acomb was granted its licence under the Markets Charter in 2016. Any future changes to frequency of markets in Acomb will need to be properly considered in this context and require further advice from officers within Legal Services and Licensing Services.

Officers introduced the report which provided an updated on the proposed use of phase two UK Shared Prosperity Funding for Acomb Front Street. They outlined the consultation work which had been undertaken with residents and the intention to take proposals to a relevant Council Scrutiny Committee before a final decision on the scheme was made. They noted that UK Shared Prosperity Funding was required to be spent by March 2025.

Officers also thanked the What a Load of Bollards campaign for their valued contribution to the consultation and confirmed a feasibility study would take place in the autumn for pedestrianisation as well as parking restrictions. They noted the long term ambition from the consultation for Acomb Front Street would be for a more eco-friendly space which could be a hub of activity for its users.

The Executive Member for Economy and Culture thanked officers for their work on Acomb Front Street. He outlined that the Council had sought to engage with the community to create the best possible space for all those that use Acomb Front Street and welcomed the collaboration with residents to reach the high level principles set out in the report.