The Economy and Growth Committee met to discuss the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the first financial review of the year, the Garden Village Handforth Delivery, and the Crewe Town Centre Regeneration Programme. The committee approved the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for public consultation, noted the First Financial Review, approved revisions to the Initial Preparation and Infrastructure Works contract for the Garden Village Handforth, and directed the creation of a business case for a potential Crewe town centre development scheme.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030

The committee unanimously agreed to launch a 12-week public consultation on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030. The strategy addresses key findings from a 2024-25 review, including a rise in individuals facing interconnected challenges that hinder access to housing. The strategy also focuses on those facing private rented evictions, refugees, domestic abuse survivors, and individuals discharged from hospitals and prisons.

Councillors expressed concerns about national housing policies affecting private landlords and the potential impact on housing availability and affordability.

The draft strategy states that the priority and aim is to ensure that:

Through strong partnerships and shared experience homelessness in Cheshire East will be rare, brief and not reoccurring.

The strategy themes are:

• Increase the prevention of homelessness
• Prevent rough sleeping
• Improve access to accommodation
• Enhance partnerships to improve health and wellbeing outcomes

The committee was informed that Karen Carsberg, Head of Housing, would be leaving the council on early retirement at the end of October. Councillor Michael Gorman, Deputy Leader of the Council; Leader of Independent Group; Chair of Economy and Growth Committee; Vice Chair of Corporate Policy Committee; Vice Chair of Appointments Committee, on behalf of the committee, thanked Ms Carsberg for her work and support.

First Financial Review of 2025/26

The committee considered the First Financial Review 2025-26, which reported a forecast adverse revenue outturn position of £3.1m after the application of £25.3m of Exceptional Financial Support¹. The committee noted the factors leading to this forecast and the actions being taken to address any adverse variances from the approved budget. They also noted the in-year forecast capital spending of £205.5m against an increased capital budget of £208.5m.

The committee also noted that the council would be asked to approve the Supplementary Revenue Estimate Request for Allocation of Additional Grant Funding over £1,000,000, and the available reserves position.

Garden Village Handforth Delivery

The committee approved revisions to the Initial Preparation and Infrastructure Works (IPIW) contract for the Garden Village Handforth, to enable a start on site by September 2026, prior to the expiry of the existing hybrid planning permission. These revisions include amending the scope and phasing of existing preliminary design work to reflect changes to the delivery strategy.

The committee approved:

• Proceeding with detailed design of the A34 corridor and associated work.
• Carrying out early construction works on the A34 corridor under the Scape National Civil Engineering Framework².
• Commissioning Ringway Jacobs Ltd via the council's Highways Service Contract for project management, commercial support, technical approval, and site supervision inputs.
• Continuing stabilisation and repair works to Dairy House Farm via a North West Construction Hub framework contract.
• Amendments to the terms, conditions, and milestones in the Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) agreements with Homes England³ to maximise the amount of grant drawn down and applied to the project.

The committee delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to implement these actions, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources, the Director of Governance and Compliance, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Economy and Growth Committee.

Crewe Town Centre Regeneration Programme

The committee directed the creation of a business case relating to a potential Crewe town centre development scheme, with a focus on residential-led development. If the business case is positive, the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Economy & Growth Committee, has the delegated authority to recommend to the Finance Sub-Committee the creation of a supplementary revenue estimate of up to £275,000 for the revenue budget to develop scheme proposals.

This includes:

• Internal staffing costs
• External professional advice regarding development, law, valuation, appraisal, procurement, and social value
• A direct contribution towards the costs to be incurred by the developer

Subject to the above, the committee agreed to seek approval from the Finance Sub-Committee to approve either external grant funding for the delivery of development proposals, or the extension of flexible use of capital receipts⁴, with £275,000 added to the council's regular reporting on capital receipt generation.

Subject to these approvals, the committee delegated authority to the Director of Growth & Enterprise to enter into a pre-development agreement with a developer, through an appropriate procurement framework, to develop a masterplan and delivery plan for specific council-owned sites in Crewe town centre. These sites include land at Victoria St / Queensway / Delamere Street ('Royal Arcade'), Chester Street car park and Delamere Street car park.

This would involve an exclusivity agreement for the developer up to the point that a development agreement may be entered into for the construction of a scheme comprising residential and commercial buildings and public realm, subject to further consideration and authorisation by this committee.

The committee authorised the Director of Growth & Enterprise to enter into negotiations regarding potential disposal of other council-owned sites in Crewe town centre where the third party owns adjacent properties, subject to best consideration, as required by the Local Government Act 1972, s123. They also authorised the Director of Growth & Enterprise to build upon the emerging 'Crewe vision' in progressing a regeneration and development framework for the urban area of Crewe, and delegated authority to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Governance, Compliance and Monitoring Officer, to enter into contracts/agreements and appoint contractors in relation to all of the above.

Finally, the committee delegated authority to the Director of Growth & Enterprise to agree revisions to the current Terms of Reference of Crewe Town Board.

Mr Simon Yates, speaking on behalf of the Crewe Town Board, welcomed and supported the new proposals for the Crewe Town Centre redevelopment, emphasising the need to develop the Royal Arcade site as an interim measure whilst the larger proposals were developed, the importance of community engagement, and the need for effectively communicating the concept of in-town living to Crewe residents.

Work Programme

The committee noted the Work Programme, with upcoming reports on the Second Financial Review 2025/26, Medium Term Financial Strategy Consultation, Nantwich Kingsley Fields S106 Town Centre Public Realm Contribution, and the Knutsford BID Ballot. A further report on the Garden Village Handforth is expected at the March 2026 committee.

The committee discussed the possibility of training for councillors on advising residents facing homelessness, and a workshop with officers to discuss options for future asset use. A report on the assets' disposal programme will be presented to the Finance Sub Committee, potentially offering an opportunity for collaboration. The inclusion of an item on Tatton Park at a future meeting was also suggested.