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Appendix 2
A1 First Point of Contact
First Point of Contact.
The purpose of this scheme is to provide local residents and others with easy access to
council services and to ensure whatever the method of contact, face-to-face, telephone,
letter or by new electronic self service means, the same consistent high quality service is
received. This is being achieved through the introduction of new, more efficient and
customer focused business and working practices, taking full advantage of new
technology and through staff training and development. At the heart of the programme is
a new, purpose designed, Contact Centre, which opened in Annex A of the Civic Centre
on 29 June as planned. This was one of the most ambitious initiatives of its type in UK
local government, and for the new Centre to open on time is a significant achievement.
Proposals are now being formulated for the next Phase of the programme, which will see
a even wider range of enquires being handled through the new centre.
A2 Liveability Fund
Following consultation including Community Futures Workshops, schemes have been
identified and agreed by residents. Work is principally road improvements - Phase 1
Gillingham North completed. Phase 2 - tenders to be received in July for works to
commence August/September in Wilson Avenue and Weedswood areas. A report
elsewhere on this agenda provides greater detail.
A3 Innovation Centre (Strategic Sites Investment Programme)
The objective of the scheme is to encourage technology transfer and small firm growth.
The current expenditure has been on design fees, traffic impact assessment and other
technical work. Further expenditure against the Innovation Centre has been rephased into
2005/2006 to reflect the progress in negotiating this scheme. This money is required for
match funding ODPM funding which is awaiting approval.
A4 Medway Enterprise Gateway (MEG) - Cultural and Creative Industries Project
A partnership between business support services and Kent Institute of Art and Design
(KIAD) is driving the Enterprise Gateway project aimed at nurturing local talent in Cultural
and Creative Industries. The project will be anchored in the heart of Medway and will play
a pivotal role in creating a vibrant and economically sustainable city centre. The Creative
Intermediary posts are running for 2 years from April 2005. Work is progressing to assess
the viability of the Lower High Street area as a 'creative quarter' - consultants have been
engaged to undertake this work. Officers are working with MEG partners to establish the
creative network, particularly focused on music, fashion and digital design.
Appendix 2
A5 Economic development - threats of job losses - help companies maintain a
viable presence in Medway
From the list of options discussed with the Portfolio Holder, the funding will be used to
deliver some of the actions arising from the Community Future Workshops, the focus
being Twydall and linking into neighbourhood renewal.
There will be a series of workshops with local people in Twydall after which the project will
become focused and clear milestones established for delivery. The first of the Twydall
workshops was on 6 June at the Holy Trinity Church in Twydall.
A6 Chatham Historic Dockyard (CHD) Trust
Following the unsuccessful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund CHD and it partners (including
the council) are considering a revised scheme under the title "National Museums at
Chatham". Progress dependent on funding bids to Heritage Lottery Fund, DCMS and / or
ODPM.
A7 Townscape Heritage Initiatives (THI) - Match Funded
Having had a successful launch event for the scheme at the end of February, the first two
applications are now being processed. One of these applications is for a Priority 1
building, the grant for which will amount to approximately £130,000. Another large
application is expected within the next week or so. A second of the Priority 1 buildings
has been sold to an owner who is keen to commence repair work. £100,000 was set
aside from the common fund for the repairs to this building. There are a number of other
property owners who are in the process of putting together applications for grant money
and to whom we hope to offer grants within the next six months.
Interest in the project is high and publicity in the form of regular newsletters will keep
residents of the THI area informed of the projects that it is supporting.
A8 Tree Survey
The tree asset will be surveyed to populate the FLTF asset management system. This
ensures publicly owned trees are managed efficiently and in a safe condition, protecting
the public and reducing the risk exposure of the Council. Consultancy for survey let early
March 2005 for completion during 2005/06.
A9 Gillingham Park
The aim of the scheme is to regenerate Gillingham Park, the only listed historic urban park
in Medway, to form a centre for the outdoor recreation needs of the local community that
is welcoming, safe and attractive. Revised Project Timetable:
July 2005 - commence phase 1 boundary restoration work – cost £259,292.78.
Appendix 2
April 2005 to October 2005 – tender for, commence and complete path network -
estimated costs £117,960.
October 2005 to March 2006 – complete and present conservation management plan,
deliver specific phase 2 projects including boundary works, and soft landscaping.
October 2005 to September 2006 – implement phase 3 - stand alone projects to enhance
the park. Finish to coincide with Park's centenary - estimated cost £300,000.
Application to HLF "Townscapes" for additional funding to top up as required.
A10 Compass Close Amenity Works
Public consultation originally scheduled for September has begun and due to conclude at
the end of July. The outcome will be reported to members in September. Resultant
project work will be carried out between October 2005 and March 2006.
A11 Greenspace initiatives
Funds to be used to design and print second edition of Tranquil Treks. Working in
partnership with Public Rights of Way and officers across the council. Have been
successful in obtaining two grants - £10,000 towards publication promoting countryside in
Cuxton and Halling - £11,250 to support Tranquil Treks.
A12 Cliffe Conservation and Community Partnership
Implementation of partnership scheme to deliver community/environmental focus
enhancements. Supported by a steering group consisting of local businesses, local
authorities and voluntary group. Goal is to upgrade the environment of this part of the
Hoo Peninsula. Committed funds cover employment costs of RSPB Officer and a series
of community and conservation projects.
A13 Ranscombe Country Park
No expenditure has yet been incurred in this financial year. There has been a
concentration on extensive legal and property work regarding the sale of 44 ha of land for
£225,000, plus the establishment of 2 tenancy agreements and additional service
agreement. Final consultation concluded in June 2005. Upon receipt of the £225,000
Medway Council will ring fence £103,000 to cover future land acquisition obligations. The
remaining £122,000 will support the Plantlife / Medway Council service agreement. The
first steering group was held in April, the second this June. Have secured offer of £40,000
to support possible biomass heating system for residential development. This would
utilise wood from the Farm and thus secure additional income.
A14 Integrated Transport Measures
To encourage improvements of Medway's transport network. Achievement of Travel
Safety Plan target for casualty reduction and increased accessibility. All planned projects
Appendix 2
now completed or on site. Expenditure is on target, schemes are being brought forward
for approval.
A15 WNB/GNL Part 1 Claims
Provision to pay compensation and noise insulation costs to homeowners near the A289
route. The Government has provided support for these costs. Responsibility f or this
budget sits with the Property Section of F&CS. There are now only a small number of
claims outstanding. No budget for this cost centre, minimal expenditure expected
although this is not within directorate control.
A16/A17 Structural Maintenance on Roads/Bridges and Bridge Assess and
Strengthening
The intention of this scheme is to keep Medway's road and bridge network in a good state
of repair. The bulk of the structural maintenance repairs have been completed. Repairs
and refurbishment of structures is in progress and contracts let. Final projects are now in
progress. Expenditure is on target, first resurfacing schemes are in progress
A18 A228 Main Road to Ropers Lane Dualling
To improve safety, reduce accidents and improve journey times. It will also increase the
journey time reliability to regeneration sites at Grain and Kingsnorth. Delays have been
caused by the wet summer and poor winter weather but opening is programmed for July
2005. Most of the new road is in now in use. Planned formal opening will be at the
beginning of September to maximise publicity
A19 Strood Environmental Enhancement
The objectives of the scheme are improvements to environmental and safety conditions in
Strood Town Centre. Removes standing traffic from Strood Town Centre will improve air
quality and bus services. Work on hold pending Masterplan for Strood. The income figure
is an accrual against contractor costs, which are in dispute at the moment. However the
spend is actually for landscaping which is on going or about to start and for securing land
that we have bought.
No progress expected on this project until a Masterplan has been developed for the town
centre.
A20 Floodlighting
Improve lighting and efficiency by replacing old and obsolete lights. Replacement of
damaged and obsolete lights has been completed. Replacement units are continuing to
be installed.
Appendix 2
A21 Remedial works to Grain Sea Wall
Design work has been completed and tenders received. Start on site is programmed for
the end of July, subject to licence from the Environment Agency. Completion is projected
for mid September
A22 Improvements to the Public Realm
Cabinet on 28 June 2005, approved a pilot scheme to upgrade the appearance of the
street environment around Chatham High Street, Medway Street to High Street
Rochester, Gillingham High Street, Darnley Road/Bligh Way Strood and Station Road,
Rainham. This scheme will be called ‘Improving Our Streets’ and be funded using the
Public Realm and highways money allocated at budget setting with contributions being
sought from ODPM and English Heritage.
ODPM 1ST TRANCH
B1 Rochester Riverside
Development Control Committee meeting on 22 June agreed outline planning consent on
the overall scheme and detailed consent on flood wall and land remediation. This is
currently with GOSE. Transco have started to relocate the gas governor site onto the
coach park, to be completed by end August. Draft strategy to address car parking, coach
parking and markets has been developed. Working party has been established to deal
with these issues.
Disposal - officers are engaging in discussions with developers, housing associations and
architects, etc in order to raise the profile of the project and to discuss potential disposal
options.
B2 Chatham Centre & Waterfront
The programme of activities is detailed in a Business Plan, which is currently being
updated, and the appraisals rewritten. Activity is being progressed on the majority of
elements, the expenditure being incurred by the council. Quarterly Activity Reports are
being submitted to the ODPM. Design work and technical studies for the road network
and bus station are underway. The Pumping Station Replacement work is being procured
through SWS Ltd and recent progress has been slow. However, SWS have now
appointed a project manager and activity should now accelerate. A detailed programme
of work focussed on the Pentagon Centre commenced in January and a draft
development brief was presented to the Council on 28 June. A programme of consultation
is then planned in July and August with the brief being brought before cabinet in
September for adoption. Scoping work for development briefs to cover residential
development along the Brook and the waterfront public real have commenced.
Consultants (ACT) have recently presented a draft Cultural Needs Analysis and officers
are meeting with them shortly to agree next steps.
Appendix 2
B3 Medway Renaissance Partnership/MRDU
Mark Bradbury, the Head of Chatham Regeneration joined Medway Renaissance on 1
June. Works have started in Eastgate Ford Annex, with an anticipated completion date of
August. Staff previously located at the Compass Centre have now moved to 95 High
Street.
B4 Transport for Medway
A number of study visits in the UK and Europe were arranged by Colin Buchanans
consultants for Transport for Medway Steering Group members in April 2005 to
experience examples of different transport systems. The study visit programme included
trips to Dublin, Croydon, Crawley, Cardiff and Lille. The following organisations and
operators were visited: Dublin Transportation Office; Dublin Bus; Irish Rail Procurement
Agency; Dublin City Council; Tramtrack Croydon, West Sussex County Council, Crawley
Borough Council Advanced Transportation Systems and Transpole.
ODPM 2ND TRANCHE
C1 Strategic Flood risk assessment
The project is largely on track, there was some delay in data gathering as the weather was
too poor for the LiDar flights. However time was recovered by taking sections of the data
early. Data gathering is now complete and the model is being developed. A brief and
programme for the production of the actual planning document is also being developed
with the planners and with the assistance of ODPM.
C2 Rochester Riverside - Public Arts
This project was completed at the end of March 2005 and a final report was produced by
EDAW.
C3 Chatham Centre - Luton Arches procurement
The work has been completed.
C4 Chatham Centre - Fort Amherst
Works have been completed.
C5 Chatham Centre/All Saints - Traffic Management scheme
Works have been completed.
Appendix 2
C6 Chatham Centre/All Saints - Community Facility Development
Works have been completed
C7 Chatham Centre/All Saints - Chalk Pitt Hill Open Space
Works have been completed.
C8 Chatham Centre/All Saints - Private Sector Housing renovation.
Works have been completed.
C9 Gillingham Town Centre
Carpark and integrated Parking scheme
Consultation and design work is nearly complete and the work will guide the
environmental improvements within Gillingham Town Centre.
C10 Gillingham Town Centre - Library Information Centre
The design work for the re-organisation of the Library and co-location with the FPOC is
continuing. As there is no further funding available from the ODPM, it has been decided
not to extend the Library into the building next door at this stage. The re-organisation
work will commence once the development plan has been formally agreed by the ODPM.
C11 Gillingham Town Centre - Sensory Impaired Centre
This scheme has now been incorporated in the Library Information Centre scheme above.
C12 Gillingham Town Centre 2005/6
The consultation report for Gillingham has been printed and circulated to members and
officers and is available to all interested parties. The report will also be sent to those
involved in the consultation. The report has also been presented to MRP and DMT and
issues of management of the area were also raised.
C13 Strood Riverside
The funding agreement with ODPM was signed on 17 March enabling land acquisition,
site investigations and river wall study and development brief to be funded. The route for
funding the design and cost of the river wall is still to be decided; ODPM has reserved the
right to channel the money via SEEDA or the council. Legal notices have been served on
all owners informing them that using its CPO powers, the land will vest in the council in
September 2005 and the period in which challenges could be lodged has passed. On 5
April, the inception meeting with the planning consultants (who will preparing the
development brief, Masterplan and market viability assessment) was held.
