Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Regeneration

The Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Development introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating Members on the work of the Carlton Town Board.

It was noted that the Council had been notified in March 2024 that the extension of the Long Term Plan for Towns (LTPFT) funding programme would include Carlton. The programme was then paused in December 2024, with new guidance issued in March 2025 requiring the submission of a 10-year Regeneration Plan and 4-year Investment Plan by November 2025. It was further noted that the 1 April 2026 would be the start date for funding and as such, Cabinet approved arrangements for the creation of the Greater Carlton Neighbourhood Board, appointing David Stewart as Chair to develop the appropriate processes that would ensure compliance with the £20 million funding award.

Members noted that 727 participants completed a survey as part of a community consultation exercise between 15 July and 30 August 2024 with the purpose of gaining feedback that would support the Board in deciding how the Greater Carlton Long Term Plan for Towns funding should be spent. Further consultation took place targeting young people, high street businesses and larger employers through dedicated workshops. It was noted that the common themes in the feedback from consultation included:

• Improvement of public and green spaces.
• Support for local businesses
• Improvement of sports and leisure facilities
• Increase in community events and spaces
• Improvements in infrastructure maintenance and connectivity
• Measures to increase safety and security.

Members noted that in October 2025, the Board met and approved the final proposals for the ’10 year Regeneration Plan’ and ‘4 year Investment Plan’ which would focus on Skills and Learning, Youth and Aspirations, Health and Wellbeing, Local Economy and Business Growth, and Safety and Feelings of Safety. It was confirmed that both plans were successfully submitted ahead of the 29 November 2025 deadline, receiving positive feedback from the Ministry of Housing, communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

It was noted that the Carlton Town Board would commence recruitment of a programme manager to determine and develop project specifications and that preparation would soon take place for procurement and risk management ahead of the April 2026 start date for the delivery of the programme.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions.

Members asked officers to clarify the role of Gedling Borough Council on the Carlton Town Board.

It was noted that Gedling Borough Council had acted as the Accountable Body for the neighbourhood board and as such, the Council ensured compliance with the guidance set out by government. It was highlighted that decisions were made by the Board and the role of the Council had been to ensure that the makeup of the board, the way in which meetings were conducted, and the priorities and projects identified by the board complied with the guidance set out by government.

Members queried how many people had applied to be on the board and the method by which the selection process been administered.

It was noted that in 2024, under the initial programme, delegations were made to the Chief Executive of Gedling Borough council, which had later been delegated to the Director of Place to appoint a Chairperson for the board. The position had been advertised and expressions of interest for board members had also been invited. A Chairperson had then been appointed however following their resignation, the process to appoint a new chair had taken place a second time.

Members noted the work of the Carlton Town Board so far but queried when a detailed list of the projects due to be undertaken would become available to members and the public.

It was noted that from April 2026, a detailed list of projects would have been compiled based on the vision deduced from the feedback of the consultations and workshops undertaken by the Board to date. The board would be able to provide this list to members when it is agreed ahead of the April 2026 starting date.

Members queried whether the delivery schedule of the programme had always been planned for April 2026 or whether delivery of the programme had been delayed to April 2026 due to the change in government.

It was noted that the decision to pause the programme had been made in December 2024 following the Parliamentary General Election that took place in July 2024. The new government then had to determine whether the programme was affordable and new guidance was then received in March 2025.

Members queried the plans for leisure facilities and whether the Carlton Town fund would impact the Richard Herrod Leisure Centre.

It was noted that funding from the Greater Carlton Plan for Towns Fund would not to be directed towards the Carlton Active project, which would oversee the redevelopment of the Richard Herrod Centre. This was due to the Towns Fund being released over a ten?year period. It was further noted that the Carlton Active project would be expected to be developed and operational far sooner than the Carlton Town Board’s timeline would allow.

Members queried whether there would be a cap on consultancy spend and the recouperation of officer time.

It was noted that the consultancy fees and officer funding had been paid for by capacity funding which had been factored in by government when the £20 million funding was announced to ensure councils had enough resource to act as the accountable body.

Members queried whether a prospective list of projects for years 2, 3, 4 and beyond could be made available.

It was noted that broad themes had been established for the forthcoming years; however, the query would be fed back to the Board so that they could consider incorporating this into their communications strategy.

The Chair then thanked the officers for the information provided.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the report; and

2)    Contact the Chair of the Carlton Town Board to consider options for engagement with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.