Issue - meetings

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet members: Councillor Zoe Nicholson and James MacCleary

(Key decision):

(1) To note the successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund, which has secured £12,686,307 towards the regeneration of Newhaven.

(2) To approve an allocation of up to £12.7m 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, Lead Member for Finance and Assets and the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the recommendations and deliver the programme of works including entry into appropriate legal agreements with delivery partners, 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 authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Lead Member for Finance and Assets and the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity to take all necessary steps to conclude the acquisition of Unit 7, Oak Estate, Newhaven.

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

Following comment by Councillor Bird around the ecological impact of certain types of fishing, Councillor MacCleary confirmed the potential for conversations to explore more sustainable types of fishing and to demonstrate ways of transitioning away from factory fishing.

The Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC) at its meeting on 27 January 2022, made the following recommendation to Cabinet:

To support the recommendations in the report subject to the Cabinet considering the following additional recommendation:

That the Cabinet writes to Central Government, Officers, and Residents who supported the bid to thank them for their support in achieving a successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund.

Councillor Linington was in attendance to present PPAC’s discussion. In addressing the recommendation by PPAC, Cabinet agreed that all relevant communication had already been undertaken and recognition highlighted.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To note the successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund, which has secured £12,686,307 towards the regeneration of Newhaven.

(2) To approve an allocation of up to £12.7m 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, Lead Member for Finance and Assets and the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the recommendations and deliver the programme of works including entry into appropriate legal agreements with delivery partners, 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 authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Lead Member for Finance and Assets and the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity to take all necessary steps to conclude the acquisition of Unit 7, Oak Estate, Newhaven.

Reasons for decisions:

(1) A funding offer of £12,686,307 for Newhaven 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.