The latest Congleton Partnership Executive meeting took place recently, view the full minutes HERE.
Highlights included:
A special mention for our new Executive Members:-Peter Houldsworth ( Buglawton Community Group), Stuart Halliday & Vince Cutcliffe (Congleton Creative)
- Town Centre – Continue to have a change in shops but overall occupancy figures are remaining fairly static at town centre occupancy of 85% (91% without Capitol Walk) and over all Town occupancy of 87% which is 220 occupied shops and 34 empty units (some of which are in discussions). I think everyone continues to be frustrated at the lack of movement on the Princess Street/Market site and lack of any action from Clowes on Capitol Walk.
- £1 million public realm
The Town Council officers, partnership members and councillors working on the Public Realm have been chasing and waiting for an update meeting with Cheshire East. This has now been arranged for the 29 September. The previous meeting was on the 12th May and so hopefully there will be some positive progress to report
- Christmas
Planning is well underway for the Christmas Lights Switch on – Friday 27th November. We are advising in this week’s Chronicle for the charity stalls and craft stalls – so if you want one for your charity get the forms in quickly! We have purchased 5 new bigger lamppost lights to create more of a statement in the High Street. The partnership has agreed to sponsor some 12 ft penguins which will perform 3 x 20 minute slots at the Lights Switch on. As usual we would love help on the night (or in advance). Road Closures from 2-8.30 and event 4-7pm. If anyone is able to help for an hour or more please let me know.
4. Maps for the Town Centre
The Town Council and Congleton Partnership are working together on a project to get location and feature maps into the Town Centre car parks – and into the pedestrian area as part of the Public Realm works. We have had quotes from one company and are waiting for two others to come back. We also need some confirmation from Cheshire East that they can put into the pot and erect on their land.
5. Gas Works
I have had confirmation from Cheshire East that Balfour Beattie will not now be allowed into the Town Centre in 2015. Not sure what the programme looks like for next year. There appears to be communications issues with the company.
6.Bear Necessities
The Autumn edition will be distributed from the 12th October – with all the copy being sent off next Friday (25 November)
7. Neighbourhood
Neighbourhood Plan is getting back into gear with a Steering Group meeting on Wednesday. The second questionnaire will come out in October. We received 1400 responses from the first questionnaire – the results of which are on mycongleton.org and will feature in a double page spread in the next Bear Necessities .
8.In Bloom
Thank you to everyone who helped with the In Bloom efforts. As a town we have had lots of compliments this year. The results of the NW in Bloom competition will be known on the 30th October and the Community Pride Awards on the 15 October.
9. 150 Years Celebrations
The Town Hall first opened to the Public on the 10th July 1866 – and so next year we are looking to host a number of celebrationary events – including a High Tea for descendants of those who attended the original opening, a grand exhibition – providing that the schools are interested. Investigating whether there is a way of replicating the original intention for the shields on the outside of the Town Hall to represent significant local families, and a number of other ideas are still being explored. Anyone that wishes to help with the project or has ideas please get in contact with Jackie MacArthur .
