Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing presented a report on the Barking Town Centre Regeneration Strategy 2020-2030 which established a clear vision for the town centre and a delivery plan highlighting the tools and interventions different partners would take to deliver that vision.

The Strategy identified three strategic priority interventions to deliver transformational change, which were:

1.  A unique and transformational Food hub linked to the City of London wholesale markets, returning Barking to its historic prominence for food and trading;

2.  Improving the poor first impression that Barking Station gives, into a welcoming gateway to the town centre; and

3.  Intervening to take forward the first phase of the Vicarage Field redevelopment as a key catalyst for high quality change.

The Cabinet Member referred to the strong governance arrangements that would support the delivery of the Strategy, which included the creation of a Town Centre Stakeholder Group, led by the Council and Be First and involving stakeholders from across the local business and other sectors, and the creation of a new Town Centre Manager role within Be First.  The Cabinet Member also alluded to the six objectives that underpinned the Strategy and other key aspects relating to funding, transport and parking improvements and property interventions.

Cabinet Members welcomed the new Strategy and referred in particular to new school provision in and around Barking Town Centre and the important role of the new Town Centre Manager.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the Barking Town Centre Regeneration Strategy 2020-2030 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, to agree any relevant updates and minor amendments to the 10-year Strategy; and

(iii)  Agree the new governance / partnership working structure to support the delivery of the Strategy, as detailed in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

(During consideration of this item, the Cabinet resolved to suspend Standing Order 7.1 (Part 2, Chapter 3 of the Council Constitution) to allow the meeting to continue beyond the two-hour duration threshold.)