Agenda item

Joint Scrutiny is 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.

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.