My report to the Council.

Posted By: Mohammad Sharif
Date Posted: 13/02/2008

THANK YOU MR MAYOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT TO THE COUNCIL THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON VARIOUS MATTERS RELATING TO THE REGENERATION PORTFOLIO.

Since my last report to Council there has been good progress on regenerating the Borough and my report gives some detail of what has been achieved and what is underway

PHYSICAL REGENERATION

 The first phase of work on resurfacing Yorkshire St has completed.  Further European funding has been identified for the project and resurfacing/lighting designs agreed. 
Rochdale Town Centre

Stage 3 of the Developer Selection process for the Rochdale Town Centre East project is now drawing to a close.

Final submissions from the 3 short listed developers were received on December 4th.  A public consultation exercise, involving each of the developers, was undertaken in December and detailed evaluation of the bid has been carried out during December and January. This matter will be considered by Rochdale Town Centre Committee on 11th February and will be reported to the full Council following this. 

Middleton
 Construction of the Middleton Arena is underway and is on programme to complete in November this year.
Boroughwide

 The Rochdale Canal Festival was a great success with over 1,000 children taking part in 25 activities over two weeks.  The project has now been selected as a finalist in the National BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association)/British Waterways Trust ‘Waterways Renaissance Awards 2008’ in the Partnership category.
Heywood
Skills Ladder Programme - NDC Board has approved £1.2million revenue project which went live on 2nd Jan 2008. Project providers are Bury College / Groundwork with the Family Learning Element being commissioned from RMBC. .
The skills strategy needs to address the ‘stepped approach’ to skills development which recognises the need for intervention at all ages, from 0-4 with Sure Start and nurseries, to primary schools, high schools, post-16 provision, adult education and workforce development. Through consultation with partners a list of priority areas were agreed, all of which are included in the NDC Commissioning process: 
1. The need to improve mainstream provision in Heywood. 
2. The need to raise skills levels at level 1,Level 2 and 3 in order to equip local people with the necessary skills for the future, particularly with the Kingsway development and job opportunities that it will bring.
3. The need to raise aspirations and confidence of local people in order for them to get onto the skills ladder.  Outreach and family support are essential to remove the barriers people face in accessing training.
4. Expand Construction training scheme, either using existing West Pennine model or through a different approach.  Construction is a known growth area in the Borough and sub-region.
The main programme to deliver is the “skills ladder” currently being commissioned and “at Work” which has been operating for around 12 months. We are in the process of modifying the At Work project.
Health Connections / Joint Service Centre for Heywood - Plans for this project are due to be submitted to RMBC Planning department by mid January 2008 to be dealt with by Heywood township planning committee in Feb 2008. Robust community engagement processes in place.  Out of hours / flexible services discussion being held with the wider community.
A Commissioning meeting with PCT was held on 20th December 2007.

Sports, Culture and Leisure Village Project - Plans have been submitted to RMBC Planning department December 2007 to be dealt with by Heywood township planning committee in Feb 2008.
Funding approvals still need to be finalised but promising initial responses from FA and Sport England. Procurement options are still being discussed.

NDC has agreed in outline a development project of sport and health activities targeted at the NDC client group to ensure they benefit from the SCLV / HCC/JSC once they are built.

Town Centre / Heywood SUN - Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN), Heywood - The SUN plans for Heywood have been under development for over a year.  The proposals have been led by a Steering Group of representatives from Heywood Township, Heywood Housing Partnership and New Heart for Heywood NDC.  On 24th September, a major public consultation was launched with the issue of a newsletter showing draft redevelopment proposals for Back o’ th’ Moss, south of the Town Centre, Heady Hill, and Mutual Mills.  The plan would create 950 new homes, with the demolition of 280 leading to a net increase of 670 new homes.  Residents were been invited to consultation events on 10th, 11th and 13th October.  There were seven pages of coverage in the Heywood Advertiser of 27th September.  The idea for a southern relief road to relieve the town centre, and potentially create more employment opportunities, was also included in the newsletter.  This would join junction 19 of the M62 and junction 3 of the M66.

Consideration has now been given to the implementation of the Heywood SUN and the arrangements needs to deliver the scheme in relation to both governance and resources. The Heywood SUN has been prioritised alongside HMR schemes by the SCG.

Business Support – TOPS -  Managed Office Space scheme now up and running with over half unit already let.
This is supplemented by a phase 1 Business Support Project offering support and bursaries for new businesses / entrepreneurs. Heywood Business Group more robust and taking on a ‘new lease of life’.  

Young People Strategy / Programme - Solid Partnership approach to all aspects on the YP agenda in Heywood. Two NDC funded change programmes in place- YIP and YAP – both making a big impact. NDC just been awarded Young Adviser scheme by CLG.

Succession Strategy - Community empowerment and engagement strategy has been developed and will influence the commissioning of the new project from 2008-11.
Development Trust for Heywood  - plans progressing well. Key individuals been highlighted for Interim Board – first meeting took place early January 2008 with thee training sessions planned for the interim board prior to incorporation. 

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

 The team is now responsible for the management and future development of the AGMA PVE Pathfinder fund.  Meetings are being arranged to look at the future direction of the fund and strategy
 Links – the commissioning and monitoring of the new Links organisation to replace Patient and Public Involvement Forums in the Borough.  Currently in the transition phase.  Commissioning specification drafted.
 Drafting a community engagement strategy for the Borough to be endorsed by the Local Strategic Partnership
 Funding agreed for voluntary sector grants for 2008/9
 Quirk review – draft process produced

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

The series of Labour Market Information events organised by the Regeneration Service aimed at improving the advice and guidance on employment and skills issues has continued.  Over 60 Head teachers, careers advisers and representatives from organisations who work with 14-19 year olds learnt how the changing local and sub-regional economy has implications for what is taught in schools and the advice that young people received so that they make informed decision about their future economic wellbeing.

J21, the local supply chain and recruitment project specifically for the construction sector has been successful with local residents receiving training and employment opportunities both on the LIFT project in Deeplish and on the HMR BASE housing project. In addition a targeted recruitment and training legal agreement will form part of the Rochdale Town Centre redevelopment contract with the successful developer. This will ensure that maximum opportunities are captured for local construction businesses and employment and training opportunities for local residents.

Think Local, the Council’s local supply chain project had a successful event which over 130 local businesses attended. Twenty specialist business support organisations were on hand to offer support and the local businesses  heard presentations on the  new opportunities arising from the development of Kingsway and the redevelopment of Town centres in the borough.

Kingsway

Significant milestones have been reached this quarter

• The opening of Sir Isaac Newton Way, the new road linking Kingsway with Junction 21 is now open for traffic. The official opening events for both partners and investors, and the local community were very successful.
• Three businesses have now committed to Kingsway all of which are  linked into the recruitment and supply chain support available from the Regeneration Service.
o DeVere Hotels, which will improve the provision of high quality accomodation for visitors and conferences and new leisure facilities will be located adjacent to the M62
o Vindon Scientific, an Oldham based manufacturer of medical equipment
o Takeuchi, a Japanese mini excavator company relocating their European Headquarters
• The Kingsway Recruitment Team have developed a programme of free training courses for the Hospitality sector so that residents of the borough can gain skills that will be relevant when the Hotel starts recruiting.

REGENERATION & RENEWAL

 Pride of Place (Community Strategy) and Local Area Agreement 2008-2011
The LSP has continued to work on its strategic review with a focus on performance, engagement, values, and LSP structures. Members have been invited to participate in this review since July 2007. This review is scheduled to be completed by March 2008.
Following the announcement of the governments Comprehensive Spending review the LSP and the Council has agreed to extend current activity funded from Local Area Agreement (LAA) resources until 30 September 2008 to enable effective review and planning for the future.
Work has also started on producing a refreshed Local Area Agreement for the Borough for 2008-2011. This is required by march 2008 and Council will have an opportunity to consider the proposals in the plan.
 Neighbourhood Renewal
The revisions in our approach to Neighbourhood Renewal has been placed on hold to allow further understanding and analysis of the recently published deprivation indices for the Borough and the introduction of Working Neighbourhoods Fund (replacing the previous Neighbourhood Renewal Fund) as part of the Comprehensive Spending review by the government. The local approach will now be progressed over the next 6 months.
 Revitalising Inner Rochdale (SR5) Programme
Through this programme a number of projects have continued to deliver outcomes for local residents.
The Business Grants project has successfully delivered 112 business grants to date (26 existing businesses and 86 new starts), with 86 jobs created to date.
The Bursary Project has awarded 62 grants for one off training to assist local people with jobs.
The last quarter has also seen some new projects approved including Unity House, Wardleworth Womens Welfare and Yorkshire Street-Townhead.
The programme has also celebrated a number key events including the official opening of the excellent Unique Enterprise Centre, Rochdale Centre of Diversities Learning Centre, Casltlemere Community Centres Catering project and the Rochdale Community Transport. The official opening of the Canal Basin (Lock 50) project is planned for February 2008.
 The programme is in its last year and will finish on 31 March 2008.