Agenda item

Councillor Garry Perkins, the Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, and the Interim Chief Executive, submitted a joint report seeking Cabinet approval for the Fleming Way bus boulevard design concept that forms part of the town centre regeneration.  In addition, the report sought approval for a collaboration agreement with the company identified in the report within the designated Kimmerfields area and to delegate authority to allow a timely decision to be made with an identified suitable occupier.

The report also sought authorisation for the production of a Town Centre Movement Strategy to evaluate traffic movement in and around the town centre, taking into account the implications of consented and planned new development providing evidence to assist with the prudent and responsible management of the network.

It was noted that these recommendations were necessary to support improvements to the town centre and secure the funding provisionally allocated to the Council by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Economic Partnership to help bring forward the Kimmerfields development and that the proposed collaboration agreement was essential to progress Kimmerfields.

In response to comments by Councillor Cathy Martyn, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, Cabinet agreed that the second and third sentences in paragraph 3.9 of the report be amended to read:

“The Town Centre CMAG has a broad remit concerning all traffic and movement related matters affecting the town centre extending to Rodbourne and Great Western Way, the Kimmerfields development, the impact of the proposed North Star Village, and measures to manage the traffic that comes with the success of the Designer Outlet Village.  The Air Quality CMAG would also act as a consultative body to the production of a Town Centre Movement Strategy.”

Resolved – (1) That the preferred concept design for the bus boulevard, as shown in Appendix 1 to the report, which has evolved from the bus exchange design approved by Cabinet in December 2017 (Cabinet Minute 68(1)(b) 20117/2018 refers), be approved. That it be noted that the concept design follows further work on the draft masterplan which is subject to further testing. 

(2) That the Interim Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment, be authorised to Stop Up or re-dedicate highway(s) to facilitate delivery of the bus boulevard scheme.

(3) That the allocation of funds be approved from the existing £3m Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) grant funding to develop a technical solution for a temporary bus facility on Princes St car park and on further detailed design work for the bus boulevard that will include provision for the taxi rank as indicated in the body of the report.

(4) That the Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, the Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment, and the Interim Chief Executive, be requested to bring a report to future Cabinet on the Town Centre Movement Strategy.

(5) That the Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment and the Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, continue with an all-party Cabinet Member Advisory Group with the broad remit of advising them on air quality and traffic related matters, as set out in the body of the report.  

(6) That the Interim Chief Executive, the Director of Law and Democratic Services and the Head of Property Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and the Town Centre, be authorised to complete a collaboration agreement with the company identified in the report.

(7) That the Interim Chief Executive, the Director of Law and Democratic Services and Head of Property Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and the Town Centre, be authorised to finalise terms and enter into an option agreement with an appropriate anchor occupier.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.