The Corporate Director Communities reported on an update on the former Targeted Regeneration Investment (TRI) programme and sought approval to progress TRI’s successor programme - Transforming Towns (TT) within the County Borough.  She informed Cabinet that to date, funding of £2.7m had been secured via the TRI programme to support regeneration projects and that officers are working with landowners / leaseholders with the aim of supporting projects through the TT programme, which will run until march 2022, with the possibility of an extension. 

The Corporate Director Communities reported that the Council had been successful in securing £910k from the TT programme for the acquisition and demolition of the police station site at Cheapside, with officers working in partnership with the Police and Bridgend College to progress the proposals for the site. 

The Corporate Director Communities also reported that the Council will continue to deliver the thematic projects in order to continue supporting project pipelines developed through the TRI Thematic 2018-21 scheme which require completion, whilst recognising the additional eligible activity included in the TT Place Making Grant 2021-22.  She stated that Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC (RCT) will act as the lead body and will report to the Welsh Government and the South East Wales Regional Regeneration Board, which will comprise the Cardiff Capital Region Regeneration Board.  The place making grant would be aimed at the town centres of Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl. 

She also reported that the Council had been successful in securing £1,166,000 to be shared with the other South East Local Authorities in 2021-22 to bring projects under Meanwhile Projects; Events and Marketing and Digital Support to fruition within the Town Centres.  The Corporate Director Communities outlined the risks and issues of continuing with the programme. 

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration in commending the proposals stated that the regeneration achievements on Nolton Street need to be publicised.  He stated that the proposals at Cheapside will see education and regeneration meet and which arise out of the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan.  The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help commented that the projects will make a difference to the town centres and will also require landlords to come forward to enable regeneration projects to take place.  She asked what can be done to ensure landlords come forward.  The Corporate Director Communities informed Cabinet that landlords need to be willing to come forward as some properties are in a poor state of repair.  The Council is able to use powers under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to serve a notice if it considers the condition of land or buildings to be harmful to the area.  She stated that the serving of a notice is often sufficient to ensure landlords take action to improve their properties.  She stated that action in respect of a fire damaged property was subject to court action.  The Council also has Compulsory Purchase Order powers at its disposal for the greater corporate good, which would be used after all other avenues had been exhausted.  The Leader commented that the schemes completed under the TRI programme had been possible through Welsh Government funding and working in partnership with landlords, which had seen properties being brought back into use with town centre living on the upper floors and retail on the ground floors.  He looked forward to receiving an update report as the Transforming Towns programme developed.                      

RESOLVED:            That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the outline proposals for the delivery of TT in Bridgend town centres, as set out in section 4 of the report.

2.    Noted and accepted the risks and issues highlighted in paragraph 4.7.

3.    Authorised the Chief Finance Officer to accept the TRI grant on behalf of the Authority.

4.    Delegated authority to the Director of Communities, in consultation with the Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change and Chief Officer - Legal, HR and Regulatory Services, to:

1. negotiate and enter into the revised service level agreement with    Rhondda Cynon Taff; and

2. approve any extension or amendment to the service level agreement and to enter into any further deeds and documents which are ancillary to service level agreement.

5. Delegated authority to the Group Manager, Regeneration, to award the TT place making and Business Grants.

6 Approved the appointment of the Principal Regeneration Officer to sit as BCBC partner representative on the TT operational group.