Agenda item

To discuss and input into the Full Business Cases for Tranche 3 Projects: -

                             i.     Rowley Regis Canal Network Connectivity

                            ii.    Rowley Regis Blackheath Bus Interchange and Public Realm

                          iii.    Rowley Regis Britannia Park Community Hub and Greenspace Improvements

                         iv.    Smethwick Albion Family in the Park

Discussion by Exception: -

·     West Bromwich Retail Diversification Programme

·     West Bromwich Town Hall Quarter

·     West Bromwich Walking and Cycling Infrastructure

·     Rowley Regis Walking and Cycling Infrastructure

·     Rowley Regis Education Hub

·     Smethwick Ron Davis Centre Expansion

·     Smethwick Walking and Cycling Infrastructure

·     Smethwick Grove Lane Regeneration

·     Smethwick Rolfe Street Canalside Regeneration

·     Smethwick Midland Met Learning Campus

Superboard were being asked to discuss and input on the tranche three submissions. Jude Thompson introduced the item and the presenters for each of the four focus projects, with the remaining projects to be discussed by exception.

i) James Dennisen (Canal and River Trust) gave a presentation on the Rowley Regis Canal Network Connectivity project. Provided a broad contextual overview including an anticipated project timeline and advised that additional funding sources are now being explored to bolster an identified shortfall rather than reduce scope. An EOI has been submitted to TfWM in this respect. Sandeep Shingadia (TfWM) offered support in the development of this and will aide in connecting the relevant officers.

Adrian Eggington (AE), Chair of the Rowley Regis Local Board, provided a short comment on the project. Local Board are supportive for retaining the existing scope. Material costs were raised as a risk to deliver. Jude Thompson asked members to explore economies of scale where possible.

Action – PMO to meet with Tony McGovern, SMBC Director of Regeneration and Growth, to outline options for moving money within the £67.5m total programme envelope.

ii) No material update could be provided on the Rowley Regis Bus Interchange due to capacity issues with the dedicated SMBC officers.

AE conveyed a similar position and outlined difficulties with moving certain projects forward because of the resourcing issues. Despite this, Hayley Insley was thanked for her hard work in trying to bridge the gap.

Tony McGovern advised that despite only being in post for a short period of time that this is one of his priorities as incoming director and is working with the relevant departments to a solution. Potential for external resource to be identified. Also advised of the strong support in the Council for these projects and will be working to ensue no Towns Fund money is lost.

Cllr Rajbir Singh seconded this position and confirmed that work is underway to address it.

Sandeep Shingadia advised that TfWM are supportive of the project and will help support where possible.

James Morris MP questioned where the gaps are (PMO or project level). TMG advised there are gaps at both which are both being addressed.

On the wider topic of programme management, Graham Pennington (Sandwell College) outlined risks of not being mindful of interdependencies and opportunities with regard other sources of funding and the impact the programme will have. For board members and officers to note.

iii) Alan Reynolds, SMBC, provided an update on the work at Britannia Park. This included a summary of the consultation and project proposals that have arisen.

An EOI process is underway for potential partners to run a community hub which will improve the project outcomes and wider benefits for the community.

James Morris MP noted the update and was pleased to hear the positive progress. Advised that AR should perhaps open lines of communication with the Rowley Regis Horticultural Society, if this has not yet been done. JM left the meeting at this point to attend to parliamentary business.

Jude Thompson noted that if allotments are at a premium, there are potential other sites in the area. AR noted comments and will explore further.

Adrian Eggington thanked AR for his work on this to date.

iv) Jane Lilystone provided brief update on the Smethwick Albion in the Park project from an SMBC perspective. Spatial and visual concerns were raised by Heritage Lottery.

Jude Thompson provided further update advised that a number of proposed locations had been removed. Jude raised concerns over a lack of progress on this project to date.

Rob Lake, Albion Foundation, provided further context for the board. It was put to the board that potentially an alternative could be sought through the extension/redevelopment of some of the Albion Foundation’s exiting assets. These options are being progressed with the relevant officers although a steer is needed.

Jude Thompson outlined Superboard’s frustration on this project and asked where possible if proceedings could be expedited.

Tony McGovern advised that SMBC will direct more resource to this.

Action for PMO – SMBC officers working on this project to arrange meeting with TMG and Rob Lake to discuss in more detail. Rob Lake requested the meeting be held in person if possible.

Remaining projects were discussed by exception and short verbal reports were given by the following officers on projects to be presented in more detail at future Superboard meetings:

• Alex Oxley- Retail Diversification Programme

• Jane Lilystone- Town Hall Quarter

• No officers were able to attend to provide update on cycling and walking projects. Action for PMO – to request update outside of Superboard to be distributed to members.

• Simon Griffiths - Rowley Regis Education Hub

• Erroll Blackwood- Ron Davis Learning Centre

• Austin Bell- Midland Met Learning Campus

• Hayley Insley- Grove Lane

• Hayley Insley- Smethwick Walking and Cycling Connectivity

The last of these projects (Smethwick Walking and Cycling Connectivity) is also part of agenda item 8 where the board are to note any proposed project changes. It was suggested that board consider these changes in this item, given that they had just received an update on the matter. It was also deemed that a formal vote on the matter would be appropriate.

A vote was taken and Superboard unanimously agreed that proposed change request be progressed in line with Towns Fund guidance.