Latest news with #NickBennett
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl: £20 million regeneration strategy is being planned
Rhyl Neighbourhood Board gathered business owners, politicians, charities, council officers, health representatives, and other key figures for its first 'thematic workshop' at the town's rugby club. The meeting saw up to 40 stakeholders, including representatives from Denbighshire County Council, North Wales Police, and the retail, hospitality, and housing sectors, discuss potential investment and development areas. The attendees deliberated on four key topics: regeneration, high streets and heritage, transport, housing, safety and security, health, wellbeing, work productivity and skills, and education, opportunity, and cohesion. Savills director and strategic advisor Nick Bennett, who presented the event, spoke about the future of the regeneration strategy, 'Our Rhyl/Ein Rhyl,' which aims to drive UK Government missions for economic growth and sustainability over the next 10 years. Mr Bennett said: "The plan for regeneration is for people of all ages in the town, so it's important – especially given the population of Rhyl is bucking national trends and rising – that all voices are heard." He also said that while the funding is £20 million over 10 years, the board hopes to leverage more from the public and private sectors. Clwyd North MP Gill German emphasised the importance of everyone's input in making the most of the town, while Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies stressed the need for a collaborative approach between local stakeholders. Up to 40 stakeholders attended the event (supplied)The discussions brought about a variety of ideas and targets, including an increase in green spaces, support for small businesses, housing, and street safety initiatives. There was also a focus on making health a priority for all projects and capitalising on Rhyl's promenade and beach, which was described as 'among the very best in North Wales.' READ MORE: Rhyl pub under new management to host fundraiser weekend in aid of RNLI Board member and owner of Jean Emporium, Nadeem Ahmad, said: "Making a difference for the retail landscape in the high street and town centre is long overdue, we want to improve the visitor experience for residents and tourists." Simon Jones of the Kite Surf Café Bar added: "I see Rhyl very much as a destination. "We get thousands of customers every week in the summer." Board chair Craig Sparrow praised the event, describing it as a 'brilliant first step' towards creating 'a proper strategic plan' that will make a long-lasting difference for generations. He said: "This is an area that has so much potential, and that spirit has been captured today."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
East Sussex County Council considering specialist accountants
East Sussex County Council is considering hiring specialist accountants to help it deal with financial difficulties and potentially apply for government Nick Bennett, lead member for resources and climate change, will decide on Tuesday whether to commission a £40,000 review by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). The council faces a potential deficit of more than £37m in the 2026/27 financial a report, officers said a CIPFA review would likely be required should the council approach the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to explore options for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS). The council has not yet formally agreed to seek EFS, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. A council spokesperson said: "CIPFA have been approached to undertake their assurance review early, to provide the council with a report that will support the work that the council may need to undertake with MHCLG."If EFS proves not to be required, or an option, the CIPFA review will provide external assurance as to the actions the council is taking to address the financial challenges the council faces."A CIPFA document says the team would work with the council to draw up an improvement plan after say the review's findings would also be used to inform the county council's annual budget-setting proposal comes amid some significant financial uncertainty for the report said the upcoming comprehensive spending review and potential changes to grant funding could impact the authority's could help by allowing the council to borrow money to fund everyday services - something councils are not usually allowed to councils can only borrow money for long-term investments, like building schools or buying equipment, not to cover day-to-day costs like wages or energy bills.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Public inquiry set to begin into new Exceat Bridge over A259
A public inquiry is set to begin on Tuesday into plans for a replacement road bridge in East Sussex County Council is moving forward with plans for a new two-way bridge to replace the current single lane Exceat Bridge on the A259 between Seaford and inquiry at County Hall in Lewes will examine plans to purchase land required for construction of the new from the authority show it wishes to use Compulsory Purchase Orders (CROs) to acquire the land needed for the project from the current owners. Part of the land needed for the project is already owned by the council, but compulsory purchase of extra land would "enable an early implementation" of the bridge scheme, said the inquiry, which is expected to last four days, will also hear from objectors to the proposed April, the council agreed to "redirect" more than £11m from its Bus Service Improvement Plan to the council had previously considered plans for a like-for-like single lane bridge but cabinet member Nick Bennett said the authority was opting for "something far more substantial that supports the infrastructure for a long time".Opposition councillors had urged the council to instead focus on other road improvement measures such as tackling traffic in Newhaven.
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Councillors agree £11m funding for Exceat Bridge replacement
Councillors have agreed to commit additional funding to plans to replace a bridge in East a meeting earlier, East Sussex County Council cabinet members agreed to "redirect" more than £11m towards plans to replace Exceat Bridge.A two-way bridge will replace the current single-lane structure, which forms part of the A259 between Seaford and proposals saw opposition from some councillors, who argued the project was proving to be too expensive and should be dropped altogether, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The funding decision comes a little more than a month after the project was set to be discontinued due to rising members had previously considered plans to construct a like-for-like replacement of the existing Councillor Nick Bennett, Conservative cabinet member for resources and climate change, said: "If we build a single-lane bridge now, in 20 years time people will think that we've missed a great opportunity to build something far more substantial that supports the infrastructure for a long time."The additional funding for the project is to be taken from money tied to the council's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).There are expected to be disruption to other projects within the BSIP because of the reallocation, councillors were Party councillor Johnny Denis said: "[Traffic in Newhaven] is the biggest pinch point of all; for everybody, for the maximum number of users."That ought to be the priority, not this white elephant, or should we call it a red herring in terms of traffic solutions on the A259."
