Agenda item

Report attached

At the request of the Sub-Committee, an update on the Harold Hill Ambitions programme was provided in accordance with the Council’s Continuous Improvement Model.

The Regeneration Officer - Economic Development explained that the programme have been highly successful in delivering and initiating a complex series of physical change projects which had improved the built environment in Harold Hill.

The report informed the Sub-Committee of the following updates since January 2014 on the main projects within the Harold Hill Ambitions programme.

Gooshays Drive Site

The site had been purchased by Persimmon Homes to enable the main capital projects in the programme to be delivered and was now completed, delivering 240 family homes in the locality and securing significant S106 contributions

Hilldene Shopping Centre

The Shopping Centre, through a phased approach, had seen a variety of investment since 2009, with the initial phases mentioned in the January 2014 Cabinet Report. Phase 3, which was currently underway included £150k of Transport for London Local Implementation Plan investment.  These works, due to complete by the spring of 2016, would seek to improve the public realm in the Shopping Centre and support the new library currently under construction and the new housing in Hilldene North and East. There were other works to enhance the public realm on Farnham Road, improved parking bays, improvements to pedestrian safety, installation of a taxi rank and investment in the green space. 

Harold Hill Library

Construction on the new Harold Hill Library, located in the East Dene Arcade and funded from the Gooshays receipt, had begun and was due to complete in early summer 2016. The new library on completion would be 50% bigger than the present building and continue to be a centre of community activity providing a range of upgraded facilities including a mezzanine floor.

Whitworth Housing and Broxhill Park

Construction had begun on the Broxhill Sports Park, with the new pavilion now being built. The tender for stage two of the work was due to be completed shortly which would include a 3G sports pitch, a multi-use games area, tennis courts and car park. All works were due to completed by the summer of 2016.

The Whitworth phase one housing had been completed, with phase two properties currently being marketed.

Central Park

The £1.5million project was now fully completed and operational, with the park achieving a gold award in the London in Bloom 2015 competition.

Community Programme

The Cabinet report also outlined that the principle focus of the programme moving forward would involve improving social aspects of Harold Hill that included skills and employment of its residents.

A short term recommendation of the Harold Hill Ambitions report established a post to coordinate the employment and skills agenda in Havering.

A long term recommendation was for the delivery of a project through the Economic Development, Adult Education and Housing departments, developing a jobs and training brokerage to support work experience and  entry level positions within the council.

The Sub-Committee noted that the project was targeted at local residents with the greatest barriers to employment and would engage a total of 162 participants and deliver the following outputs at community sites in Hitchin Close, St George’s Church, the Children’s Centre and My Place:

• 100 participants receiving 6 hours plus of Information, Advice and Guidance support.
• 39 participants achieving basic skills qualifications.
• 15 participants attending work placements.
• 12 participants starting full time education.
• 46 Participants starting full time employment
• 29 participants remaining in sustainable full time employment after 26 weeks.

          It was noted that the capital programme agreed by Cabinet was now largely completed with the involvement of the private sector working with the Council.

The Sub-Committee suggested that the Briar Road development be included in the Harold Hill Ambitions programme.

Members agreed that it was vital that jobs and training be made available to young people in Harold Hill in order to carry them along in the programmes in the area.

The Regeneration Officer concluded by stating that the next step in the delivery of the programme was to deliver the remaining physical projects, while sustaining an even stronger focus on opportunities for local people, particularly through the development of jobs, education, skills and health.

The Sub-Committee NOTED the update report.