Joint Scrutiny was asked to review and provide
comments for Cabinets on the Didcot Garden Town delivery plan, the
draft Didcot Wayfinding Strategy, the draft Didcot Green
Infrastructure Strategy and their proposed delivery approaches.
Present in the room to introduce the report was Deputy Leader &
Cabinet member for Development and Regeneration (SODC), and Cabinet
member for Affordable Housing, Development, Infrastructure and
Governance (VOWHDC). Officers present were the Infrastructure and
Development Manager and the Didcot Garden Town Team Leader.
This was the first on-the-ground delivery of
projects for Didcot Garden Town. In 2022 the project programme was
reviewed and condensed to make sure the programme was deliverable
and identified all responsible bodies to ensure accountability. The
delivery plan goes through regular review by the Didcot Garden Town
Advisory Board (DGTAB). Financially, the money appears mainly with
SODC because Homes England funding was initially funded in this
way, however the district boundary between SODC and VOWHDC was
through Didcot, so it was a shared project. The draft Didcot
Wayfinding Strategy would improve signage in the area and encourage
active travel, giving distances to landmarks. The draft Didcot
Green Infrastructure Strategy would help implement green
infrastructure needed for a fast-growing community.
Main comments from committee were as
follows:
- A member suggested reflectors on
signs where lighting was not possible. This could encourage active
travel and give reassurance to people using these areas at
night.
- A member felt the signage was very
well thought out. Praise was given to using metric measurements for
distances, as it was felt that most people used this.
- Regarding design motifs – it
was confirmed that the motifs would be unique to neighbourhoods,
but the signage would be the same apart from the motifs.
- A discussion around graffiti -
Cabinet member stated that the aim was to encourage long-term
community stewardship as a Garden Town principle and to ensure
upkeep of assets.
- It was confirmed that the signage
would be a single-phase replacement, and the removed signage would
be recycled.
- A member suggested defibrillators
– an officer felt that they could look at mapping this as an
additional piece of work.
- Braille was suggested, and officers
confirmed they would consider this in the design process.
- A discussion was had around liaising
with other stakeholders in the area regarding clutter. Officers
suggested that they can build on existing contacts.
- Page 71 of the Arkwood report (Green
Infrastructure, page 146 of the agenda pack) – a member asked
about the potential for North-West Didcot to have a country park
allocation. Could biodiversity net gain receipts for this
fast-developing area be allocated locally? Cabinet member added
that this could be in Phase 2 to establish the area of influence.
Officer added that the funding for the current phase was to get
smaller projects off the ground.
- A member asked about signage for the
skatepark.
- Rain gardens – considering
recent flooding, can this be accelerated as a project? It was
responded that it might be something to raise at DGTAB.
- How were decisions made on headline
and non-headline projects and how was momentum kept? Was there
money for officers to bid for funding? Cabinet member considered
that there was existing resource for bidding, and there was a bid
writing team. Priorities were reviewed by DGTAB where all the
partners were involved.
- The report explained what funding
was committed in the delivery plan, and officers confirmed that
further reports would come forward as other projects emerge.
In summary, Joint Scrutiny Committee put
forward these comments for consideration:
- Members endorse the use of metric
measurements throughout signage.
- Signage: members suggested
reflectors, lighting and braille to be factored into design
- Country parks: At the next phase,
can DGTAB members look into large scale nature parks, referencing
the area of influence.
- Rain gardens: Can this project work
be accelerated considering the local flood issues this year. Liaise
with DGTAB and Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) as the lead flood
authority.
- Timetable for active travel projects
can be further informed by Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure
Plan (LCWIP), noting that OCC are the lead transport
authority.
Officers and Cabinet members were thanked for
the contributions, co-chair also thanked committee and closed the
meeting.