The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Property introduced the report which outlined the developing Levelling-up Fund project.  She advised that the criteria was still unclear and the timelines had not been confirmed.

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development provided background on the fund as set-out in the report and drew attention to the table under paragraph 3.1 of the report which provided a summary of ideas proposed for consideration of the funding and comments from officers and Members on each suggestion.  She said that the Sheerness regeneration scheme would be progressed as it was the best “fit” under the Levelling-up Fund priorities, she drew attention to paragraph 3.5 of the report which set-out the four elements to be developed: Beachfields; East Kent College Expansion; Master’s House Completion; and Wider Placemaking.

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development sought comments and views from Members on the development project proposals and referred to the questions set-out in paragraph 6.1 of the report.

Members raised points which included:

·         Disappointed to see some of the ideas for consideration discontinued due to lack of capacity by other agencies;

·         employment on Isle of Sheppey was appalling and starter units needed to be provided for businesses;

·         concerned that the competition for the second round of funding would be a lot harder and not so much funding available;

·         was there a risk that projects put in round one had been refined based on feedback?;

·         could other projects be put forward again at a later stage?;

·         supported the proposed college expansion;

·         agreed the swimming pool needed to be improved but did not see how that would improve the visitor economy as it was mainly used by local residents;

·         there would always be connectivity issues between the sea and the High Street due to the sea wall and a lot more work was required to resolve this;

·         there should have been more consultation on the Beachfields element and concerned that was being told what we wanted rather than being asked;

·         what element of the proposed projects would be contributing to the Net Zero Strategy?; and

·         the beach at Sheerness was unavailable to most people as the beach had been washed away.  The Council needed to put pressure on the Environment Agency to put back the groynes and ‘recharge’ the beach.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property agreed to look into the matter for the Member.

In response the Cabinet Member for Economy and Property considered that the regeneration of Sheerness High Street was key to encouraging local people to spend money locally and improve the visitor economy.  She also spoke about the importance of improved connectivity between the High Street and seafront area of Sheerness and welcomed local Member input on how that could be achieved.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property said that she had discussed with cabinet colleagues other potential projects for consideration.  She spoke about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Council resources, but agreed that this project was a priority.   The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property advised that any refurbishments proposed would be to the Net Zero standard including thermal insulation and energy saving measures.  

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development explained that it was not currently clear whether the Council could put in future bids if not successful on this occasion.  She reported that of the £4.8bn budget, approximately £1.7bn had been allocated in round one, and whilst not successful the Council and its consultancy support could learn from feedback and experience of the first round of applications and she noted that having the Priority 1 status had made a real difference as to whether applications were successful or not. 

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development explained that with regard to the attractiveness of the project at Beachfields to tourists, officers would be consulting on what people thought would bring people to the area.  She reported that a hybrid Extraordinary Sheppey Area Committee meeting was scheduled to be held at Sheerness Working Men’s Club on Tuesday 8 February 2022 to seek views on the proposals.