Since the last boundary changes in 2023, the council has comprised 57 councillors representing 19 wards, with each ward electing three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with a third of the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office. Political groups Administration (36) Labour (36) Other parties (19) Independent (13) Conservative (7) Reform UK (1) Joint committees Greater Manchester Combined Authority Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board Bee Network Committee Elections Last election 2 May 2024 Next election 7 May 2026 Meeting place Tameside One, Market Square, Ashton-under-Lyne , OL6 6BH Website www .tameside .gov .uk Each ward is represented by three councillors. Ward Councillor Party Term of office Ashton Hurst Mike Glover Labour 2023-27 Dan Costello Conserv...
The first look at a masterplan for how Hyde could be rejuvenated over the next two decades has been revealed.
A four-week public consultation will launch in May to get people's views on the new vision for Hyde town centre, which aims at 'unlocking' its 'comprehensive redevelopment'.
The programme is envisioned to take 15 to 20 years, with both short and long-term goals being set by the local authority.
The draft proposals aim to make Hyde a ‘desirable place to live, socialise and shop’ and a ‘thriving hub for daily urban life’, reversing a decline in its ‘viability and vitality’.
Once adopted it will act as a ‘material consideration’ as part of any planning applications that are submitted in the area in the future.
“Cultural resurgence is at the heart of the masterplan and this will define the area’s future reinforcing its distinctive character, allowing Hyde to flourish and find its own identity within the context of Greater Manchester and the North West,” a cabinet report states.
As part of the plans, the Town Hall could be re-purposed to be a vibrant cultural hub for Hyde and the wider borough, with the newly pedestrianised areas around it creating a flexible space for its activities to ‘spill out’, officers say.
The markets could be re-located to new, ‘high quality facilities in a prime location’ on Market Place. Meanwhile Market Square would become a ‘flexible, high quality public realm environment’ suitable for markets and events.
The re-imagined shopping area is aimed at creating a welcoming shopping and residential area, with wide tree lined streets connecting all areas of the town centre.
And chiefs are considering the ‘rationalisation and relocation’ of parking areas to create ‘high quality’ development sites for the town centre to grow into with a new ‘diverse’ offer.
The masterplan also includes improved public space area and traffic calming to creating safe pedestrian routes from public transport and facilities.
Director of place, Julian Jackson said: “It’s a plan that will position Hyde town centre for future investment and funding opportunities coming forward.”
Councillor Joe Kitchen, ward member for Hyde Godley, told the cabinet meeting: “This is the kickstart I think that Hyde needs.”
To date 1,254 responses were received to a fact-finding questionnaire about the town, and 250 people ‘of all ages and backgrounds’ attended at a drop-in event in the Clarendon Shopping Centre.
“Responses received from the fact finding exercise demonstrate that there is local pride in Hyde,” officers state.
“People want to see improvements to the town and for Hyde to become a place where there are good quality services and diverse offer for everyone throughout the day and night time.
“The draft masterplan aims to identify interventions in order to ensure a step change in the regeneration of Hyde.”
Following the consultation in March, comments will be reviewed and it is expected that the cabinet will adopt a formal masterplan in August.
The Hyde Town Centre Delivery Group – which has been recently established – will steer and support the preparation, development and implementation of the masterplan and deliver its vision, the report adds.
Tameside Council has appointed HemingwayDesign and GL Hearn to lead the development of its new vision, masterplan and strategy for Hyde town centre.
Bringing with them expertise and a proven track record in urban design and developing successful and innovative visions and masterplans and a strong track record of proposals being delivered for other towns across the UK they will provide a welcome boost to the ambition to regenerate Hyde town centre.
Hyde plays a significant role in Tameside’s Inclusive Growth Strategy. It was named as one of 70 towns across the country to take part in the Government’s High Street Task Force programme and is part of the Hyde Triangle alongside, Godley Green and Hattersley, which has been identified as one of the Greater Manchester Growth locations and a great opportunity to regenerate the area.
The team is starting its fact finding journey by opening with a survey to gain views, perceptions and a wish list for what local residents, communities and stakeholders from Hyde and across the borough want and need from the town centre.
These views will kick-start the process and will be followed with a further public consultation exercise in early 2023 when masterplan options have been developed.
The planning team is also joining forces with the Hyde High Street Task Force Team and The Martin Property Group, which recently acquired the Clarendon Square Centre, adding their weight to the plans as it is keen to support the vision to improve the future of the town centre and ensure its success.
Wayne Hemingway, partner at HemingwayDesign, said: “It is no secret that town centres have to adapt with changing times.
“As we evolve our shopping and social habits, it’s important we move forward to meet the needs and tastes of new generations.
“Things have been moving particularly fast these last few years and there has never been a better time for Hyde town centre to make some purposeful, forward thinking moves. HemingwayDesign and GL Hearn have significant experience but our success comes from listening to the people who know best, the people who live, work, visit, or pass through a town.”
Cllr Vimal Choksi, executive member (towns and communities), said: “It is really exciting and we are pleased to be working with such a great team with a strong track record.*
* Please be aware that the company which owns and sets the high rent for the Clarendon centre is Martin Property Group, I would challenge the strong track record statement from the councilor. As residents of Hyde have seen, a dissolving of their shops and independents cant afford to rent the properties inside unless they get charitable rates and discounts. We should expect more of the same.
“We cannot solve problems with the kind of thinking we employed when we came up with them.”
“We are committed to improving and regenerating all our town centres to support our economic growth priorities, making them a place the whole community can enjoy. It will be great to watch the vision and plans start to take shape.
“At this stage, views are a valuable part of the process and will sit at heart of the plans for Hyde town centre, in order for the process to be a success, we want everyone to have their say.”
Gary Martin, of Martin Property Group, said: “The council and The Martin Property Group have a shared ambition to improve Hyde town centre.
“The Clarendon Centre sits at the heart of the town and the local community and we are pleased to be working in partnership with Tameside Council to look at ways to improve the centre, to continue to support our tenants and to enhance the quality and diversity of the offer for the people of Hyde.”
The survey was open for a period of six weeks from Tuesday, January 3, 2023. www.thinkhydetowncentre.co.uk
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