'A high streets emergency' Call for Central Bedfordshire Council to take action amid government funding cuts
Future local authority funding to support High Streets and enable businesses to prosper in Central Bedfordshire is likely to prove “a significant challenge”, a meeting is due to be told on Tuesday (January 6).
“Considerable finance and resource has been invested” by Central Bedfordshire Council in backing town centres over the years, according to a report to its executive.
“But given the current financial pressures on local government and changes to how funding for regeneration is allocated by government, scope for further interventions going forward presents challenges,” said the report.
“This is because internal resource and finance, alongside external funding, face considerable pressures.”
The report “acknowledges a motion Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay submitted to full council in November and explains where action can be taken”.
The motion calls on “This council to recognise the increasing pressures on our High Streets and town centres and declares ‘a high streets emergency’, and asks CBC to promote a regeneration-first culture across the whole authority.
“This is to ensure the benefits of growth and inward investment support vibrant town centres, with this strategic approach guiding all policy development.”
The motion wants “a High Streets and town centres action plan produced, setting out the actions and levers CBC will take to help support businesses, community groups and cultural activities to prosper”.
It also requests council leader Adam Zerny to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves “about the growing challenges faced by town centre and High Street businesses in Central Bedfordshire, and demanding support from government to help them thrive”.
CBC’s report to the executive “recognises that plenty of good work has been done by the local authority to support our High Streets, but that future funding and resource implications represent a significant challenge”.
In response to the motion, it explained: “The principle of ‘a regeneration-first culture’ is embedded within the council’s adopted strategic plan already.
“That prioritises sustainable growth and regeneration as key drivers for economic vitality. The development of a comprehensive action plan would require dedicated resources and funding to develop and then coordinate delivery, work which isn’t currently within the approved or proposed budget.
“A letter can be sent to the Chancellor and provides a chance to highlight the significant challenges faced by town centre and High Street businesses in Central Bedfordshire, such as ending the UK shared prosperity fund (UKSPF) and rural England prosperity fund (REPF), which replaced EU funding.
“With these programmes now concluded, the council faces an even greater reduction in external investment.”
The Central Bedfordshire strategic plan 2024 to 2027 sets out CBC’s vision and priorities for creating thriving communities and a strong local economy, which directly supports the ambition for vibrant and prosperous High Streets and town centres, added the report.
“The plan identifies four key priorities of economic growth, sustainability and climate action, thriving communities, and infrastructure and connectivity. These priorities underpin regeneration efforts and ensure that town centres remain central to community life.
“Together, these objectives provide a clear framework for delivering High Streets and town centres that are economically robust, socially vibrant and environmentally sustainable.”