Decision details

Capital & revenue budgets to take forward improvements to Newhaven Town Centre

(1) To note the bid to the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), the timescales and competitive nature of the funding process as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To note the co-funding already secured from the Council and key partners as shown at Appendix 2 to the report.

(3) To agree the proposed FHSF co-funding identified at Appendix 3 to the report. This is subject to the Future High Streets Fund bid being successful.

(4) To note the progress with a range of projects that are contributing positively to the Council’s overall ambition to support the regeneration of Newhaven.

(5) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration & Planning in the terms set out at Appendix 3 to the report, subject to:

a) consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity and the Chief Finance Officer and

b) the FHSF bid being successful.

(1)       Capital funding of the type being sought from the Future High Streets Fund requires co-funding from the bidding authority (and partners) to justify the level of intervention sought from Government.

(2)       There is a need to mobilise activities within the town centre to help address the declining footfall and high vacancy rates existing currently. This builds upon initial activation work to let existing vacant premises in Newhaven Square for new business uses.

(3)       Newhaven remains a regeneration priority for the Council, building upon Enterprise Zone designation and investment from a range of partners (including Local Enterprise Partnerships) over recent years.