Brentford High Street Steering Group - Terms of reference - CoActivate

BRENTFORD HIGH STREET STEERING GROUP
Terms of reference
Group goal
High Street (Brentford) that has regenerated in an economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable manner – a beacon for communities elsewhere
This goal will be achieved by the Steering group as follows:
• set the broad direction for Brentford town centre by taking into account
the needs of town centre customers, workers, residents, visitors,
businesses and property owners
• serve as a Forum for all partners to communicate and consult with
each other and co-ordinate their activities so as to realise our shared
aspirations for Brentford town centre
• co-ordinate the activities of the various town centre service providers
and those responsible for meeting their needs of town centre users
• foster a customer care philosophy amongst all providers of town centre
services
• promote improvements to and further development of the appearance,
function, facilities, buildings and amenities of the town centre
• develop a Marketing and Promotional Strategy for the town centre
• prepare and agree an ongoing Action Programme for the town centre
• seek funding opportunities for the implementation and furtherance of
the resultant town centre action programme/strategy.
Town centre management approach
The Association of Town Centre Management defines towns and cities "as
places that combine a whole range of uses in a manageable and confined
area, including working, living, shopping, entertainments, education, public
services, health and leisure."
Town Centre Management seeks to:
• develop the life of town centres for investors as well as users
• improve management of the public realm so that towns and cities are
safe and accessible to all
• help towns to understand, develop, achieve and retain a competitive
edge
• create a shared vision of the town’s identity, function, market niche and
image that meets the needs of a people it serves, now and into the
future
• organise mutually supportive, practical partnerships between
businesses, service providers, the public sector and the community at
large
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• create an effective Business Plan and programme and achievable
action year by year, as well as medium and long-term projects that are
endorsed and funded by all the partners.
• develop projects that focus on environmental improvements, access,
car parking, signage, security, inward investment, marketing, customer
care and attractions
• justify public support by listening and communicating decisions openly
and objectively
• promote confidence by publicising achievements
Roles and responsibilities
Grand Union Community Development Trust
Responsible for:
• Maintaining the contractual relationships with steering group project
funders (e.g. London Borough of Hounslow) and key partners (e.g.
New Economics Foundation)
• Event co-ordination and day-to-day financial management
• Preparing for events and steering group meetings with the group chair/
vice-chair, thematic working group co-ordinators and key project
partners as appropriate
Steering group
Responsible for:
• Providing strategic guidance relevant to the defined work programme
• Taking decisions on policies, projects and initiatives
• Monitoring/control of expenditure relating to projects undertaken (e.g.
Community visioning)
• Actively participating with other bodies
• Identifying and securing sources of external funding
• Helping facilitate co-operation between interest groups
• Ensuring that a two way flow of information into and out from the
Partnership, exists with their own organisations
• Receiving recommendations from Thematic Working Groups, to whom
decision making can be devolved where appropriate
• Appointing a Chair and Vice-Chair annually, as well as thematic
working group co-ordinators
• Meeting at least 3 times per year
• Printing, publishing and distributing any pamphlet, leaflet or other
publications which the initiative may consider desirable for supporting
regeneration of the High Street
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Thematic Working Groups
• Attendance at Thematic Working Group meetings will be based on the
relevance of an individual/organisation's expertise
• Working Group meetings will be held when necessary
• Each Working Group will appoint a co-ordinator annually
• Many working groups may fold once their work is complete – others
may continue longer term
• The current Working Groups are:
o Historical context
o Local economy (today and in future)
o Environment (sustainable construction) and society
o High street design and liveability
o Young people
o Marketing and image
Community visioning project (2006-7)
Purpose
Clearly defined expression of the local community’s vision for the future of
Brentford High Street
New Economics Foundation role
Responsible for:
• Process design and event facilitation advice/support
• Bringing in best practice and research from outside Brentford
Steering group members
• Representatives from business, cultural, environmental or social
groups working in the Brentford community
• Members of Hounslow Borough Council elected for Brentford and Syon
wards and the Lead members for Environment & Planning, as well as
regeneration, on Hounslow Borough Council have standing invitations
• Officer representatives of Hounslow Borough Council
Boundaries
In analysing the Brentford economy linked into Brentford High Street, the
group will work to the town boundaries as defined by Single Regeneration
Budget (SRB) partnership and Brentford Community Council on attached
map.
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Brentford High
Street Steering
Group
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