Agenda and minutes

The Chair will welcome attendees to the meeting and make opening remarks.

The Chair welcomed Board Members to the meeting before outlining the agenda items for discussion. The meeting was quorate. 

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were noted for the following:

-       Cllr Vicki Smith

-       Cllr Julie Webb

-       Jasdeep Dolphin - DLUHC

-       Sandeep Shingadia - TfWM

-       Aaron Pugh - WMP

-       Cllr Danny Millard

-       Deborah Harrold - SMBC

-       Mohammed Asif

To confirm the minutes of the Local Board meeting held on 31 August 2023 as a correct record.

Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by board members. See attached action log for updates. 

To receive any declarations of interest from members relating to any item on the agenda.

None were forthcoming.

To receive an update on project progress and monitoring information for the period of July – September 2023.

Board members received Item 5a - Rowley Regis Town Deal Board Reporting July - September 2023 prior to the board meeting. This appendix was shared on screen to provide an update on project progress. This included: -

·       There is a requirement for Town Deals to submit Monitoring and Evaluation Returns for the period of April - September 2023 to DLUHC by 4 December 2023.

·       Monitoring and Evaluation Reports are required to be signed off by the Chair of the Town Deal Board and the councils Section 151 Officer prior to submission to DLUHC

·       DLUHC monitor project spend performance and there is a threshold of 40% slippage for towns. Rowley Regis slippage is 17% against the last return to DLUHC.

Britannia Park Greenspace and Community Hub

Board members were informed of the RAG Rating against the project spend, delivery, risk, outputs and outcomes. Board members received details of the progress made in the last three to six months, including the approval of the planning application for new changing rooms, procurement activities and work undertaken to deliver the new skate park, play area and allotments.

Board members were informed the number of allotments delivered through the project would need to reduce following the receipt of survey and design works. The project initially forecasted the delivery of 15 allotments, however the project are now looking to deliver 10/11 plots. A Project Adjustment Request is required to notify DLUHC of this reduction.

Action: PMO to circulate draft plans on the reduced number of allotments to board members.

Sandwell College: Cradley Heath Skills Centre

Board members were informed of the RAG Rating against the project spend, delivery, risk, outputs and outcomes. Delays have occurred against the original delivery programme since planning permission was granted in June, this is due to an extended period to finalise the land transaction. Design works have been undertaken and the procurement for a stage 1 contractor.

Board members were informed resource to deliver the project has been impacted due to staff illness and were notified of changes being made to the delivery team in the upcoming months.

Details were shared with board members around planning of curriculum and the timescales associated with this.

The project lead was asked to confirm all activities undertaken between June and September. Confirmation of activities were provided.

A question was raised if the build would be a modular or a traditional build. Board members were informed both options are being considered and confirmation of the approach would be concluded during/ following the Stage 2 tender process.

Canal Network Connectivity

Board members were informed of the RAG Rating against the project spend, delivery, risk, outputs and outcomes. The project is ahead of the delivery programme. As discussed at the previous Town Deal Board Meeting, the project has pushed underspend into future financial years with the ambition to deliver additional outputs, increasing the benefits outlined to the project business case. Footfall monitoring has begun and reports will be provided to Town Deal Board members.

Action: PMO to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive an update on the Blackheath Bus Interchange Project and to agree whether the project should continue in its current form and consider other options.

Blackheath Bus Interchange and Public Realm

At the Town Deal Board held in August 2023, board members were informed that a petition had been received from key stakeholders, expressing their concerns about the design of the scheme.

Since the last meeting, discussions have taken place between Vice-Chair, Jude Thompson and some key stakeholders to understand their concerns to help assist the project team to develop a fit-for-purpose design. Feedback was reported to the council's project team who then proceeded to look at the project design, to mitigate concerns raised.

The project team and councils Highways Team have developed a draft proposal for the key stakeholders to consider before detailed design works proceed. A meeting has been scheduled for week commencing 27 November to discuss the original proposal, the concerns raised and how the new draft proposal has considered concerns raised.

A timeline of activities was shared with board members to confirm the process should key stakeholders support the draft proposal. This included: -

Meeting with key stakeholders to present a draft proposal following receipt of their concerns on the initial design (w/c 27 November)

Works required by the project team, subject to approval of the draft proposal, including cost valuation, further tracking works, design works, discussions with other key stakeholders e.g. Bus providers

Formal consultation on the scheme in early 2024

Board members were advised if key stakeholders who raised concerns initially do not support the draft proposal, the project team, Programme Management Team and Town Deal Board would need to consider the future of this project and if funds should be allocated elsewhere (i.e. existing projects or new project).

Board members were reminded of the guidance submitted by DLUHC in June 2023 advising the submission of new projects is no longer accepted, however discussions are held regularly with DLUHC advisor and the accountable body have collated details of development ready projects should an alternative project be accepted.

A discussion took place regarding the details of the draft proposal, including information on bus routes, pedestrian crossings, loading bays, parking bays, traffic calming and material used for road/ pavements.

Board members discussed the original business case put forward and the benefits outlined. A question was raised if the outputs would be impacted moving forward. Board members were informed the business case would need to be reviewed and a full BCR is required, however benefits would remain as originally planned.

The Chair asked board members if they agree for the meeting to proceed between the Vice-Chair, project team and key stakeholders, week commencing 27 November 2023, to discuss the draft proposal and feedback to the Town Deal Board. No board member objected to this approach.

To feedback and present upcoming press release and site visits.

Board members received the Press/ Media Forward Plan for the Rowley Regis Town Deal. Board members noted the schedule and no comments were raised.

To receive any other business raised by members for discussion.

February 2024 Board Meeting

It was agreed for the following project leads to attend to provide a detailed update: -

·       Blackheath Bus Interchange and Public Realm Project

·       Sandwell College: Cradley Heath Skills Centre project

It was agreed for the February meeting to be extended by 30 minutes, resulting in the duration of the Town Deal Board being 2 hours. 

The Chair will make closing remarks and close the meeting.

The Chair informed board members of Tony's departure from Sandwell Council and the Chair and Board Members thanked Tony for his support to deliver the Towns Fund Programme and wished Tony the very best of luck for future endeavours.

The Chair closed the meeting at 14:30.

A record of open and closed actions agreed during Rowley Regis Town Deal Board meetings.