This meeting of the Bishop Auckland Stronger Town Board, scheduled for 9 December 2024, was intended to provide updates on a range of regeneration projects in Bishop Auckland. It included discussions on the progress of key developments, potential reallocation of funds, and a review of the board's governance.

Bishop Auckland Town Centre Diversification

The Board were scheduled to be asked to approve the realignment of funds within the Town Centre Diversification Project in Bishop Auckland, moving £1.2 million from the Public Realm budget to the Property Reuse Fund. This proposal was driven by concerns about the risks associated with the Public Realm Project, and the belief that there was a more pressing need to support the reuse of vacant buildings, especially given the high vacancy rate in the town centre.

The report suggested that a more cost-effective approach to public realm improvements could be achieved by implementing an 18-month trial of a temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on Fore Bondgate, introducing a cycle lane and removing the rising bollard, as well as softening the streetscape with planters and street furniture. The report argued that this approach would achieve several benefits.

The temporary TRO would remove the possibility of triggering a Public Inquiry and would allow a deliverable programme within the funding dates and cost envelope.

The report goes on to say that The high level of vacant property in the Town Centre was one of the principal reasons why the Conservation Area remained on Historic England’s national heritage at risk register . The report argued that reallocating funding to the Property Reuse Fund could help address this issue.

Programme Update

The Board was scheduled to receive a programme update from Durham County Council and Project Sponsors, covering various projects in Bishop Auckland:

• Bishop Gateway (previously known as the Eleven Arches Southern Access Corridor): An update on the design progress was scheduled to be provided. Costs for the project were reported to be higher than the available budget.
• Market Place Hotel: Edward Perry from The Auckland Project (TAP) was scheduled to provide an update on the RIBA Stage 2 designs for the hotel. The designs were due to be submitted by mid-September and were to be shared with the Board at the next meeting.
• Durham Dales Gateway: The Board was scheduled to be given an update on the demolition progress and the planning application for civil works.
• South Church Enterprise Park: Andrew Walker, the Bishop Auckland Programme Manager, was scheduled to provide an update on the procurement process for the project.
• Springboard to Employment: The meeting was due to hear that the handover of the McIntyres building to Bishop Auckland College was scheduled for 3 September 2024, with a completion date of 28 October 2024, and an anticipated launch of activities in November 2024.
• Heritage Walking and Cycling Routes: Mark Jackson, Head of Transport and Contract Services, was due to give an update on the project, including information about the ongoing design review and consultation plans.
• Tindale Triangle: Mark Jackson was scheduled to report that the Tindale Triangle was operational.

Governance Review

The meeting was scheduled to be given an update on the progress of the Governance Review of the Board, which was underway to examine the board's structure, processes, and effectiveness. A special meeting was to be convened to discuss the findings and recommendations of the review by the end of September 2024.

Communications

The board was scheduled to receive an update on recent communications activities, including the performance of the Bishop Auckland Regeneration website. Discussions were also planned for the content of the upcoming newsletter, with a suggestion to focus on upcoming events.