Action Plan. What's been done - What hasn't been done

In September 2006 the Executive member approved the Action Plan for Little Lever Town Centre and also approved the proposal that the District Centre Improvement Fund should be allocated bi- annually so that Little Lever would be allocated £50,000 in 2007/2008 and £50,000 in 2009/2010.


Against the Projects listed in the Action Plan the following is what has actually happened.

On the 2nd July 2007, the Executive was asked to ' Approve the expenditure of £50,000 for a CCTV system in Little Lever from the District Centres Improvement Fund'

On the 25th February 2008, the Executive was asked to ' Approve the expenditure of £10,514 for Christmas lights in Little Lever from the District Centres Improvement Fund'

On the 27th July 2009 the Executive was asked to 'Approve the improvement works as listed' (This is the list of current proposals mentioned in my Blog of the 23rd August titled ' Little Lever - Spending the £50k')

That's it -folks.

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Against the Projects listed in the Action Plan the following is what hasn't happened.

To improve the environment of Little Lever Precinct by a partnership between Development & Regeneration and the Precinct Owners using resources of both.

As far as I can ascertain, contact has been made by the Council with the Managing or Letting Agents for the owners of the Precinct who have indicated that they are reluctant to spend any money on improvements. Thus this partnership has not been achieved and it looks like at this moment the point is not being pursued.

Promote anti-litter initiatives by a partnership between Environmental Services and Town Centre Traders.

I have no information of any concerted effort between Environmental Services and the Town Centre Traders to put into place an ongoing scheme to minimise litter and for Traders to fulfill their legal responsibility to clean up litter caused by the wrappings of what they sell. Nor, does it seem, there is any enthusiasm shown by the Police or other authorities to utilise the CCTV to this end. Following an Area Forum Meeting, an Environmental Enforcement Officer was tasked to liaise with me in tackling this problem but no partnership with all of the traders has been achieved.

Investigate the feasibility of moving the recycling bins to a less prominent location

I am aware of some discussion in the last couple of months about alternative sites, none of which seemed to be practical or desirable. Apart from on this Blog I have yet to promote the idea of the pavement at the side of the Conservative Club facing Tesco Car Park. ( See Blog 25th August - 'Relocating the Recycling Bins'


Shop Front Grants Scheme. Investigate the potential for a grant regime by a partnership between Development & Regeneration and Shopkeepers.


As far as I am aware no attempt has been made to establish such a partnership. It is likely that the Shopkeepers would be reluctant to put their hands in their pockets however, since no details of a Grant scheme have been put to them,then their response cannot be anticipated. It has been mooted that the £50,000 cannot be spent on private property but would the Grant Scheme be funded out of the £50k or would it come from elsewhere?

Investigate the feasibility of establishing a business watch scheme in the town centre.

I have no information as to whether any attempt has been made to investigate this. There is certainly no result.

Establish a forum between the Council and town centre businesses.

As a result of discussion between myself and Sean Hornby from twelve months ago, a forum, 'Love Little Lever' has been established involving several Traders and Residents with the attendance and input from the three Ward Councillors. It has received Start Up Funding from the Area Forum and has jet washed the Precinct Square Floor and some of the shutters. It's deliberations seem to have slewed off at a tangent and run into the sand for whatever reason.

Citizen’s Panel - Consult the panel to gauge users’ views of the town centre.

I know nothing of the existence of such a panel.

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Paul