Agenda item

Officers would welcome member feedback and comments on the report.

Andrew Catcheside, Town Centre Development Manager introduced the report and highlighted the key points to note.

1.    The action plans respond in context to the Council plan to support an economy that works for everyone, develop town centres that are vibrant safe and inclusive.

2.    The action plans are designed to be live documents which will be updated on a quarterly basis and as ongoing community engagement brings forward opportunities and ideas.

3.    Officers’ welcome members feedback and comments

In response the following comments were made by panel members:

1.       The Chair asked for clarity on how informed residents are being kept on the changes. Officers commented that they will feedback to crosstree to ensure residents are kept informed. This is a pre ap opposed to a planning stage, so it has not been formally published yet. We recognised that the plan for Edmonton needs to articulate better that there are major changes in the pipeline.

2.       Cllr Greer commented that the plans were discussed at the last Regeneration & Economic Development Scrutiny Panel. It was requested that goals for each town centre could be reported back.

3.       Cllr Levy commented that the plans are more of a vision statement and do not have specific deliverables. Southgate is a great transport hub which provides great opportunity. The Leader clarified that the plans are resident facing documents which are set out to be clear and accessible, behind them we have the data and detail which can be shared with members if requested. Southgate is difficult to manage as we do not own much of the property there. Officers have been encouraged to reach out to potential buyers of the Police building. TFL have been difficult to work with. 

4.       Cllr Levy noted that Southgate has no community hub and the Alan Pullinger Centre needs to be developed into a mixed use venue with possible housing above. Andrew Catcheside confirmed that there a number of interest on the high street which could provide community opportunities. The Southgate hub provides assets to allow the community to gather.

5.       Cllr Demirel sought clarity on how the public engagement has helped form the action plans. Regarding Enfield Town vacancies, how are we encouraging landlords to take on new approaches? The Leader explained that each of the town centres have been engaged in different ways, Palmers Green was highly driven by residents. We are building the relationship with Angel Edmonton residents who are clear that they want to fix smaller problems before looking at longer term investments. Our planning policy will be to see ground floor used as office place or retail.

6.       Cllr Hockney asked if we had learnt from other town centres. Andrew confirmed that we are linked with the GLA in adapting high street strategies. We are looking at the work in Hackney on creating workspaces to influence Edmonton, Fore Street. Officers are in groups at various levels sharing what works locally, regionally, and nationally.

7.       Cllr Hockney sought clarity on the vison post the pandemic. Andrew clarified they are focused on bringing people back into town centres making people feel safe. In the long term we look to have a more diverse high street, micro and small business are important in Enfield. 

8.       Cllr Levy asked if Edmonton Green and Angel Edmonton would be more connected and is the vision for residents to move around the borough? The Leader confirmed that they would encourage residents to move around the borough as each town centre hold different values and have their own history. We have more to gain from them being different, every town centres has its own needs which residents can utilise.