The historic nature of Weymouth town centre does not hinder its development, it has been ruled – but it is ‘severely under-resourced’ and action is needed to make the most of it.

An investigation was launched after Cllr James Farquharson asked whether conservation policies in the town centre could hinder progress on regeneration schemes.

He also asked for clarification on what powers the borough council has to force owners to maintain listed buildings after claims the town centre was looking ‘shabby’.

The issue hit the headlines after resident Bob Underwood approached a meeting of the management committee with pictures he had taken showing the town centre looking run-down, with damaged advertising rotundas and flower bed walls, sand banking up in the streets and buildings not being maintained. The committee pledged to take action and some issues have been dealt with – though leader of the council Jeff Cant warned at the time that regenerating the town will take time.

Now a report has been produced with the findings of the working group set up to examine the issue.

It states there is no evidence to support claims that planning officers are restricting town centre improvements – but notes that the planning department, specifically in conservation and enforcement, is ‘severely under-resourced’.

The report also calls for ‘political conviction of ambition’, although there is a recognition that the number of recent elections has had an impact.

It concludes: “The scrutiny working group conclude that the Conservation Area is a quality that makes Weymouth special rather than being a hindrance to development. It is clear that the Heritage qualities of the Town Centre Conservation Area potentially offer a stimulus for investment and regeneration of the town. If this asset of Conservation is to assist in regeneration of the Town Centre it requires adequate resources.”

The cross-party working group, which included Cllrs Claudia Moore, Jon Orrell, Cathy Page-Nash and Kate Wheller, made the following recommendations:

Have the Conservation Area designated as ‘at risk’ by Historic England, which will mean funding is available

Create a shopfront design guide

Enforce maintenance and repair of listed buildings, which will require an extra enforcement officer to be employed

Appoint a town centre manager (the creation of this role has recently been approved)

Appoint a Heritage Champion for the town centre

Run a ‘Pride in our Borough’ competition

Hold a public meeting including the BID, local businesses, Civic Society and community to explain the issues and gain a consensus on the way forward

Investment in a cherry picker by the council to rent out for use by all in maintaining and cleaning buildings, as well as use by the BID for cleaning and maintenance of street furniture and lighting

The report, set to be discussed at a meeting of the scrutiny and performance committee on Thursday (15), adds: “The best means of achieving improvements will be if the Conservation Area succeeds in being declared ‘at risk’ by Historic England. If this is achieved then the recommended bid could be used to prepare a case to secure further funding from Historic England, the Arts Council of Heritage Lottery to enhance any resourcing bid from within the council.

“It is therefore recommended that a bid for £200,000 for increased funding of conservation and enforcement staffing will enable measures to be implemented to assist in the regeneration of the Town Centre Conservation Area to the benefit of Weymouth as a whole.”

Cllr Farquharson said he was informed earlier this year that the council already has powers to enforce owners to keep their buildings well maintained.

It comes after confusion at a management committee meeting earlier this year over what can be done to improve the fabric of the town when many buildings are privately owned.

These include:

Section 215 notice. This can be served if the amenity of part of an area is adversely affected by the condition of land in the owner’s area

Urgent works notice. This can be used when works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a listed building. If the owner refuses to carry out the works the local authority can do so

Repairs notice. This is usually the first step in the process and can be used when it is considered reasonably necessary for the preservation of a listed building

Compulsory purchase order. If, after two months following a repairs notice, reasonable steps are not being taken to preserve a listed building, the local authority can begin compulsory purchase proceedings.