Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report is to set out the ambition and potential scope of the phase 2 works on Acomb Front Street, a key secondary shopping centre within the City of York Council area, seeking approval to undertake open public engagement on costed designs and ideas for the scheme.

The ambition and delivery approach will promote economic growth and help to develop a unique local high street environment promoting diverse community use, and respond to the ideas from the 2021 Future of Acomb Front Street Study, and feedback to date including the petition submitted following the phase 1 works.

The engagement process will be set out, and potential elements (with costings) will be outlined , to ensure businesses and residents and have an opportunity to contribute during the planned engagement period, which is being designed to meet the aspirations of the local community.

Approval will be sought to undertake open public engagement on the Acomb Front Street Phase 2 project approach, to test costed designs and ideas for the scheme.

The Executive will be asked: To confirm that the public consultation on Acomb Front Street Phase 2 may commence, based on the project approach outlined.

Instruct officers to undertake public engagement, analyse responses and work up detailed designs in order that a full costed project scheme can be presented to Executive for approval in Summer 2024.

Resolved:

That open public engagement on the Acomb Front Street phase 2 project approach be approved, in order to test costed designs and ideas for the scheme and receive feedback.

Reason:

Public engagement, and analysis of feedback responses, is essential to enable officers to finalise detailed designs for the phase 2 works that benefit from public engagement comments; and to ensure that a fully costed scheme can be presented to Executive for consideration and approval to proceed in summer 2024.

The and the Head of City Development and Head of Regeneration  presented the report and responded to public participants.

The Head of Regeneration referenced the concern about highway focus raised in public participation, advising that Front Street was considered a public highway, which constrained some of the framework officers must work within.

With regard to the issue of planting – he acknowledged the positive impact of more plants and trees but stated that there would be technical challenges to this including drainage and footpath obstruction. As Acomb is fortunate enough to have green spaces close by it was not considered top priority.

The Executive Member stated that the Executive were trying to change the plan in Acomb and stressed that further public consultation would be conducted in order to meet the budget timeframe of March 2025.

Resolved:

That open public engagement on the Acomb Front Street phase 2 project approach be approved, in order to test costed designs and ideas for the scheme and receive feedback.

Reason:

Public engagement, and analysis of feedback responses, is essential to enable officers to finalise detailed designs for the phase 2 works that benefit from public engagement comments; and to ensure that a fully costed scheme can be presented to Executive for consideration and approval to proceed in summer 2024.