Issue - meetings

The Corporate Strategy 2018-23 states that we will explore “the nature of ‘Place Shaping’ and the benefits it affords to our varied communities”. This report sets out our proposed approach to ‘place-shaping’ in the borough, drawing on the Council’s agreed strategies, and recommends that a Place-Shaping Reserve be established to fund place-shaping projects.

82.1    The Leader introduced the report setting out the Council’s proposed approach to ‘place-shaping in the borough, drawing on the Council’s agreed Corporate Strategy 2018-23, the Local Plan Part 1 2018/32, Economic Development Strategy 2018-32, Housing Strategy 2018-23, and adopted and emerging Neighbourhood Plans.

82.2    The approach would bring together all three tiers of local government, and other local stakeholders to build consensus on a strategic vision for local communities. Initial informal conversations with stakeholders in Farnham indicated that there was an appetite to bring together various schemes and ambitions in one strategic project, to address traffic and air quality challenges, the role of education providers, and Farnham’s distinctive heritage and cultural assets.

82.3    Whilst the initial focus of the place-shaping initiative would be Farnham, Waverley’s largest settlement, there was interest from Cranleigh, Godalming and Haslemere in seeing how the approach could address the various development challenges that they face.

82.4    The establishment of a Place-Shaping Fund would enable the next stage of the Farnham Masterplanning project to progress, and the Leader commended the initiative to the Executive and Council.

82.5    The Executive RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Council that up to £250,000 of the one-off financial gain from Waverley’s participation in the 2018/19 business rate pilot be earmarked to establish a new Place-Shaping Fund.

[Reason: to support the Council’s place-shaping initiative for Waverley, including the next steps for the Farnham Masterplanning project.]