Next steps for funding in Yarm to be considered after Public Engagement results on High Street Scheme
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet is set to consider the next steps for the use of the remaining funds from the approved budget for improvements to Yarm High Street on Thursday (12 MARCH).
This is following a recent public engagement process where 86 per cent of responses said that the Council should not proceed with the current Yarm High Street scheme.
The proposed £2.35million regeneration scheme, was formed with part of the Levelling Up Fund allocation for Yarm and Eaglescliffe, as well as Council funding.
The plans included creating new public spaces for people to sit and enjoy their surroundings across six areas of the High Street.
The proposals aimed to separate pedestrian areas from sections of car parking through seating, greenery and planting and improve accessibility to public transport. New cycle parking, play on the way features for children and families and references to Yarm's history and heritage were featured in the plans.
Local people were asked to share their views over a four week period in December, called 'Yarm High Street - you decide'. This was done to understand views on whether the Council should proceed with the scheme, following public feedback.
The engagement was not a formal consultation but was intended to inform Cabinet's consideration of next steps.
From 1,564 responses received, the results were:
- Yes - the Council should proceed with the proposed scheme - 225 responses (14 per cent)
- No - the Council should not proceed with the proposed scheme - 1339 responses (86 per cent)
Further insight into public opinion was given through 1190 written responses, which identified common issues around parking and traffic congestion, historic character, accessibility, antisocial behaviour, and new planters and seating.
The Levelling Up Fund was announced by the Government in 2021 to allow local authorities to deliver local priority projects, including regenerating town centres, upgrading local transport infrastructure and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
It is currently administered by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) under The Local Regeneration Fund (LRF) to allow local authorities greater flexibility in moving funding between project and creating new ones.
Cabinet will consider a range of potential alternatives for the remaining £2.35million of funding including:
- Retain the LRF grant funding in Yarm High Street or the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area
- Reallocate some or all of the LRF grant funding from the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area to support new or existing projects in the Borough
- Reallocate the council element of the funding into reserves to support the overall council financial position
Cabinet will also be asked to consider whether to proceed with the replacement of the two existing wooden fishing pontoons in Yarm, under this remaining funding allocation.
This is following a commitment in July to revisit the principle of removing the pontoons due to public safety concerns and their poor condition.
Councillor Richard Eglington, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Thank you to all residents who gave us their views on whether we should proceed with the proposed scheme for Yarm High Street.
"The aim of the survey was to understand if there was support for the scheme and 86 per cent of people told us they would not like us to proceed with it.
"The Council's Cabinet will now consider the engagement findings alongside financial, legal and strategic considerations before determining the most appropriate next steps for the approved budget, to ensure the remaining funds are used in the most effective way."
