Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2020 be approved as a correct record.

It was reported that the Buxton Future High Street bid for funding had been reviewed as required, following the new Ministry of Homes Communities and Local Government methodology.  The business cost ratio had increased from 2.15 to 3.12 and strengthened the case. Officer and evaluation costs had been requested before committing to funding and these were awaited. A briefing note would be circulated to members.

An update on Business Grants had been requested. It  was reported that there were 2 mandatory grants to administer. Closed and sector grants were similar to earlier business rates linked grants and 600 applications had been received at 20/11/2020. Local restriction and additional restriction support grants were similar to earlier discretionary grants and focussed on the hospitality, accommodation and those who went into tier 2 earlier. All these grants applied to the lockdown period from 2 November to 3 December. Clarification was awaited on support for those forced to close from 3 December for tier 3. Options for wider business support including resilience and digital support were being discussed.

Discussion took place on individual cases and a possible hardship fund. Businesses were encouraged to submit applications for assessment.  The application for those not paying business rates would be available shortly but interests could be registered beforehand.  The need for assistance for smaller businesses, supply chains, Shop Happy click collect services, trading days and tourism businesses that missed the summer season were discussed. An evidence based scoring system would be applied with Government set grant levels and subject to audit and spot checks. £1.8m funding received would need to cover November payments and any future lockdowns. Representations made, tier levels and additional support were also discussed. A briefing note on the method used to assess grants would be circulated and an update provided at Corporate Select.

RESOLVED: That the updates be received with thanks.

Consideration was given to the current consultation from Highways England on the A57 Link Roads, key elements of the Government’s scheme, the proposed approach, draft response to the consultation and the process moving forward.

Links to other schemes, previous support for a proposed Tintwistle bypass, Peak District National Park concerns, previous collapse of a section of A57, single track roads, limits on Highways England and possible Planning Inquiry were discussed.

Comments made included:

·         Need for more and accurate environmental and traffic impact data, including from the extra traffic lights

·         Concern for negative impact on air quality for residents and school children in Dinting

·         Highlighting the 2 air quality management zones

·         Upgraded road potentially resulting in shorter journey times but increasing traffic, previous forecasts of +8%

·         Additional traffic in Glossop or Tintwistle considered unacceptable

·         Disruption from a 2 year scheme, extra traffic lights and negative effect on traffic in Tintwistle, without certainty of a further bypass scheme

·         Need for links to other schemes rather than transferring issues to other areas

·         Possible weight limit for lorries and reinstatement of crawler lanes on A628

·         Support for a sustained holding objection

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed Council response (set out in paragraph 5.16 of the report) be approved, subject to comments detailed above being considered for inclusion into a strongly worded response.

2.    That a copy of the Council’s response be circulated to members, sent to the local MP and individual responses to the consultation be encouraged.

Items listed for the February meeting would be prioritised for the February and March meetings. A report on the Safer Walk and Ride Initiative would be added to the agenda.

RESOLVED: That the updated work programme be noted.

No questions raised.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED: That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during

consideration of the following item as there may be disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government

Act 1972.

RESOLVED: That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2020 be approved as a correct record.