Issue - meetings

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor David Tutt

(Key decision):

(1) To note the successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund, which has secured £19,847,287 towards the regeneration of Eastbourne.

(2) To approve an allocation of up to £19.9m in the General Fund Capital Programme, to be financed in full by the grant funding secured as per the recommendation above.

(3) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning to enter into the Funding Agreement that will set out the commercial terms associated with the grant award, including use, access, and ongoing monitoring.

(4) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, in conjunction with any Project Oversight Board, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the recommendations and deliver the programme of works, including feasibility, financing, appointment of professional services, development, contract award(s), lettings, and determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation, in accordance with the funding parameters.

(5) To agree that clear streamlined and transparent governance arrangements for Levelling up Funds would be circulated at the earliest opportunity to all Council members and key stakeholders, whilst retaining any commercial sensitivities.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, providing an update on the successful bid for Levelling Up Funding and seeking to secure the necessary delegations to enable the programme of works to commence.

Thanks were conveyed to all those involved in securing the £19,847,287 towards the regeneration of Eastbourne. The bid was focused on three projects which were a new year-round ‘destination’ for residents and visitors at Victoria Place, a world-class cultural, education and visitor centre at Black Robin Farm and Towner 2023, linking with the centenary celebrations of the Towner Gallery.

Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 29 November 2021 considered the report and made the following recommendation.

To request that the Cabinet consider that clear streamlined and transparent governance arrangements for Levelling up Funds are circulated at the earliest opportunity to all Council members and key stakeholders, whilst retaining any commercial sensitivities.

The Cabinet agreed to incorporate Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation into their resolution and this was detailed below.

Councillors Holt and Swansborough declared interests in this item. Councillor Swansborough withdrew from the room whilst the item was considered. Councillor Holt remained in the room and voted on the item.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To note the successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund, which has secured £19,847,287 towards the regeneration of Eastbourne.

(2) To approve an allocation of up to £19.9m in the General Fund Capital Programme, to be financed in full by the grant funding secured as per the recommendation above.

(3) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning to enter into the Funding Agreement that will set out the commercial terms associated with the grant award, including use, access, and ongoing monitoring.

(4) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, in conjunction with any Project Oversight Board, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the recommendations and deliver the programme of works, including feasibility, financing, appointment of professional services, development, contract award(s), lettings, and determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation, in accordance with the funding parameters.

(5) To agree that clear streamlined and transparent governance arrangements for Levelling up Funds would be circulated at the earliest opportunity to all Council members and key stakeholders, whilst retaining any commercial sensitivities.

Reason for decisions:

(1) A funding offer of £19,847,287 for Eastbourne was announced on 27 October.

(2) There is a need to move at pace since the Levelling Up Fund award must be spent by March 2024 in line with Government guidance.

(3) To enable Officers to deliver in an effective and timely manner, the necessary delegations to Lead Members and Executive Officers are required to ensure that the Council can deliver the programme within the context of the timeframe.