Supporting Local High Streets Scrutiny Review
Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission
Cllr Phillip Glanville, who chaired the Scrutiny Commission when the review began, introduced this project during a site visit to Chatsworth Road.
The Commission chose this topic for review in recognition that the council's business development support was focused on 'town centres' (like Dalston and Hackney Central) rather than local community hubs, and the real contribution these high streets can make to life in Hackney.
The Commission found that during the course of this review, many improvements were achieved in important areas- including the support to business associations, communications about the management of street markets, the letting of council commercial property and the continued use of 'meanwhile leases' to fill spaces between full-time uses.
At a time of changing retail environments and financially uncertain prospects, the council appears eager to support its local businesses. Not only is the development of town centres established, but support for the borough's local high streets has begun to be mainstreamed and formalised. This is crucial at a time of significant change, for the borough and across the country, as the high street provides myriad benefits to the communities that use it every day.
As well as this changed focus for the council's support to high streets, the Commission was impressed by the impressive decline in the rate of council-owned vacant shops, and the improved dialogue with market traders' associations. Support for business associations could be further improved however, more work should be completed to address illegal shop conversions, and further promotion of the benefits of meanwhile lease uses would continue to benefit local communities.
The review took evidence from a wide variety of stakeholders, internally and externally. The Commission held three formal public meetings to hear from council officers and representatives from six of the borough's high streets. A further informal networking event was run on behalf of the Traders & Residents Associations to consider whether there was value in their meeting together more frequently (the event was run jointly with the Hackney Enterprise Network).
Members of the Commission also completed a site visit to Chatsworth Road market, during their trial period over Christmas 2010. We are indebted to the representatives of the local business associations and Traders and Residents Associations (TRAs), as well as to Hackney Business Venture, who supported the extra networking meeting.
The Commission's Final Report
The Commissions made 5 recommendations. These focused on supporting local business associations, illegal conversion of high street retail properties, projects to support unemployed residents into market trading, and promoting the use of meanwhile leases.
Response from the Cabinet Member
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games responded in March 2012, saying "this review of local high streets by the Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission has shined a spotlight on the borough's town and district centres. the recommendations made are valid and help to add value to the work that we are doing on our high streets". Cabinet accepted all the recommendations.
What has happened as a result of the review?
The Commission will receive a progress report on the implementation of these recommendations later in 2012.
Page updated: 10 Apr 2012
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