Issue - meetings

** Please note, due to the size of the documents, to assist with downloading and access, the appendices to the report are published as a supplement to the agenda **

Report of Corporate Director Communities

Purpose of report

This report updates the Executive on the progress of ‘A Banbury for the Future’ project; the community engagement with residents, businesses and delivery partners and the emerging Banbury area action plan. 

‘A Banbury for the Future’ project was established in 2023 when the previous Executive approved the appointment of consultants to carry out an extensive vision engagement exercise on the future of the town centre and its environs.

Engagement on the vision for Banbury has been completed, with the vision engagement findings compiled into a draft report. The Council has engaged with partners over the last year in developing a draft action plan from the engagement findings.

On 4 November 2024 the Executive agreed to adopt an area-based approach with the objective to strengthen community and stakeholder engagement into major growth sites across the district in support of delivering more holistic and sustainably planned developments, aligned to Council priorities.

As part of this area-based approach a new Area Action Plan is currently under development bringing together several existing action plans into one new document, including the engagement findings from the consultants draft report. This new, updated Action Plan will form part of the Area Framework of documents which will be reviewed and prioritised by the new Area Oversight Group for Banbury.

This report seeks authority from the Executive to publish the draft engagement findings.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To authorise the publication of the draft Banbury vision engagement report.

1.2           To engage further with the community and partners through the Banbury Area Oversight Group and subgroups, with a view to developing the new Banbury Area Action Plan.

Resolved

(1)          That the publication of the draft Banbury vision engagement report be authorised.

(2)          That officer be requested to engage further with the community and partners through the Banbury Area Oversight Group and subgroups, with a view to developing the new Banbury Area Action Plan.

The Corporate Director Communities submitted a report which updated the Executive on the progress of ‘A Banbury for the Future’ project; the community engagement with residents, businesses and delivery partners and the emerging Banbury area action plan and sought authority from the Executive to publish the draft engagement findings.

‘A Banbury for the Future’ project was established in 2023 when the previous Executive approved the appointment of consultants to carry out an extensive vision engagement exercise on the future of the town centre and its environs.

Engagement on the vision for Banbury has been completed, with the vision engagement findings compiled into a draft report. The Council has engaged with partners over the last year in developing a draft action plan from the engagement findings.

On 4 November 2024 the Executive agreed to adopt an area-based approach with the objective to strengthen community and stakeholder engagement into major growth sites across the district in support of delivering more holistic and sustainably planned developments, aligned to Council priorities.

As part of this area-based approach a new Area Action Plan was currently under development bringing together several existing action plans into one new document, including the engagement findings from the consultants draft report. This new, updated Action Plan would form part of the Area Framework of documents which would be reviewed and prioritised by the new Area Oversight Group for Banbury.

Resolved

(1)          That the publication of the draft Banbury vision engagement report be authorised.

(2)          That officer be requested to engage further with the community and partners through the Banbury Area Oversight Group and subgroups, with a view to developing the new Banbury Area Action Plan.

Reasons

The vision engagement exercise and the findings it has generated provide an understanding of how people view Banbury, the challenges it faces but also a desire for change, highlighting the opportunities and demonstrating its potential.

There is a clear desire to see Banbury town centre improve. Over 99% of survey respondents want see improvements to the town centre. The engagement process indicates that to deliver this change, Banbury needs a change of mindset. The report highlights some major issues the vision needs to address.

This report seeks the Executive’s approval to publish the draft Banbury vision engagement findings report. The reason for the recommendation is to progress the work on Banbury as set out in the report. It remains important to maintain the focus on continued community engagement; by publishing the draft vision engagement findings report, the Council is reaffirming its commitment to regeneration and growth in Banbury.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not publishing the vision engagement findings or delaying the publication may lead to a lack of momentum in delivering the new Banbury Area programme and may also make further community engagement more challenging as it may be perceived as a lack of commitment to the Banbury area.