Issue - meetings

Noted.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Director of Commercial which sets out an overview of the temporary civic square proposals.  This issue had been discussed at a recent working group at which this update report had been requested to enable a wider debate. 

Buzz Bingo had surrendered their lease to the council due to the impact Covid had on their business in July 2020.  As work had begun on site clearance in October 2020 the civic square development was progressed through the Future High Street Fund bidding process but the bid was not successful.  Chorley was put in tier 2 for the Levelling Up fund and that round of funding has yet to be released.

Of the options considered the use of the site as a temporary car park is considered the best, until government funding is forthcoming for further development.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Martin Boardman, queried the temporary nature of the car park and expressed a desire to see the site in use as a car park for at least a year.  It was acknowledged it is not possible to give any guarantees on when the site may be developed.  Future consideration of the car parking strategy for Chorley was suggested.   

Councillor Bradley undertook to share the ‘levelling up’ bid from the council to the government with Councillor Aidy Riggott at an appropriate time and noted it has not yet been submitted.  There is a desire to work across Lancashire, but there is no certainty at the current time. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded the Decision that the report be

noted.