Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Heritage, Arts & Tourism, Housing and Communities introduced the report which provided an update on the in-principle offer received from  MHCLG in relation to the Salisbury Future High Streets Fund business case.

Cllr Clewer reported that following the submission of the Future High Streets Fund Salisbury business case in August 2020, MHCLG has made Wiltshire Council an in-principle offer of up to 69% of the original ask, amounting to £9,355,731. The report detailed the proposed response to secure the maximum funding available and shows that the projects developed to date remain deliverable with some adjustments.

Cllr Bob Jones MBE, Vice-Chair of the Environment Select Committee, explained that he had received a briefing of the issues on 29 January 2021 and was in support of the project and the reports proposals.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group expressed his support for the project and urged the Cabinet and officers to secure appropriate funding to achieve the delivery of all elements of the project.

Resolved:

·       Agrees the contents of this report.

·       Delegates authority to the Chief Executive - in consultation with the Director for Economic Development and Planning, and Legal, Electoral and Registration Services and the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Military-Civilian Integration and Communications to approve and submit the Salisbury Future High Street Fund response to the in-principle offer to MHCLG as well as accepting the grant.

·       Delegates authority to develop individual workstreams within the business case and the response to the in-principle offer to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director for Economic Development and Planning, the Director for Legal, Electoral and Registration Services and the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Military-Civilian Integration and Communications.

Reason for decision:

Salisbury’s economy is reliant on the retail, leisure and tourist offer within the city, which is responsible for a third of all employment. Salisbury City Centre economy has now experienced two economic shocks, the nerve attack in 2018 and now, COVID-19 in 2020, resulting in a significant decline of the vitality, attractiveness and perception of the city centre.

These shocks are exacerbated by seismic changes taking place in the retail market, as it moves to an on-line market place. In Salisbury, persistent structural challenges around transport access and poor linkages, demographic shift and heritage investment significantly threaten long term vitality.

Salisbury needs to restructure its offer to attract residents, visitors and workers to the city. A confirmation of the offer in-principle will enable Wiltshire Council to work with partners to initiate that process and attract in other public and private sector funding to rejuvenate the city.