Consultation experts invited to apply for town’s project

CONSULTANTS to carry out a public survey on plans to regenerate Cheadle town centre are now being sought by the district council and the project’s stakeholder panel.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council wants to restore vibrancy to the high street and provide new homes and community health, leisure and wellbeing facilities.

Last October, the ruling Cabinet approved the establishment of a town centre delivery board, supported by a stakeholder panel, to guide the project and oversee the programme of public consultation.

Now, at a recent meeting of the panel, members agreed to go out to tender for consultants.

District council leader Sybil Ralphs said: “We know our commitment to investing in Cheadle and creating a town centre fit for the future is an aim that is shared by very many individuals and organisations, so we want to make sure that the projects we take forward are the right ones.

“That’s why we’ve said all along that we would be involving the local community in those discussions via full public consultation and a public survey, and I’m pleased that the process to appoint independent experts to do this work is now underway.”

The closing date for bids is noon today, and interested companies can find out more at www.staffsmoorlands.gov. uk/article/1080/currenttender-opportunities

The panel has also announced the appointment of The Consultation Institute to facilitate a stakeholder workshop to look at alternative options for the town centre and not just those identified in the Cushman and Wakefield report.

Panel chair Councillor Ian Plant said: “We’re pleased to have the workshop date now agreed, and I’m looking forward to hearing the views of panel members about the sites in public ownership.

“This workshop is just one of the ways we’ll be seeking ideas, and it’s important to reiterate that no decisions have been made about the projects to be taken forward.

“The council has been clear it wants to hear from local people as part of that, and

I’m pleased that we’ve moved quickly to get the ball rolling on seeking the consultants who will undertake the public consultation.”

Find out more at staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/ article/6500/transformingcheadle-town-centre.