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Lewes and Eastbourne
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Agenda item

Re-imagining Newhaven

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor James MacCleary

 

(This report contains an exempt appendix. Any discussion of this must take place at item 17 following exclusion of the public.)

 

Decision:

(Non-key decision):

 

(1) To note the Future High Streets Fund capital grant award from MHCLG and that this represents a considerable achievement for the Council.

 

(2) To note the timescales to deliver the Re-imagining Newhaven programme.

 

(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity, to:

 

(a) enter, or authorise entry into, all necessary documentation with MHCLG to receive the Future High Street Fund grant;

 

(b) carry out all necessary actions to deliver the Re-imagining Newhaven programme including undertaking feasibility work, procurement and appointment of the professional team, development and determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation, including the procurement and appointment of an operator.

 

(4) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer, to make an allocation within the General Fund Capital Programme for the co-funding part of the Re-imagining Newhaven programme, subject to further finance and legal advice, also subject to a sound business case.

 

(5) To write a letter of thanks to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, for the Future High Streets Fund grant and thank those officers at the Council who have worked towards the Re-imagining Newhaven programme.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Regeneration and Planning, providing an update on the Future High Streets Fund project.

 

The Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC) at its meeting on 30 June 2021, made the following recommendation to Cabinet:

 

To support the officer recommendations in the Cabinet report subject to the following additional recommendation being considered by the Cabinet:

 

That the Cabinet write a letter of thanks to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, for the Future High Streets Fund grant and thank those officers at the Council who have worked towards the Re-imagining Newhaven programme.

 

Councillor Miller, Chair of PPAC, was in attendance to present PPAC’s discussion. The Cabinet agreed unanimously to incorporate PPAC’s recommendation into their resolution detailed below.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Meyer, Councillor MacCleary confirmed that the Council had put in place funding if necessary to address any shortfall for the regeneration work but would hope not to need it. The Council was structuring funds to ensure any money it spent was money it had. The Council would continue to apply for further funding and write to regional bodies for support.

 

Resolved (Non-key decision):

 

(1) To note the Future High Streets Fund capital grant award from MHCLG and that this represents a considerable achievement for the Council.

 

(2) To note the timescales to deliver the Re-imagining Newhaven programme.

 

(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration and Prosperity, to:

 

(a) enter, or authorise entry into, all necessary documentation with MHCLG to receive the Future High Street Fund grant;

 

(b) carry out all necessary actions to deliver the Re-imagining Newhaven programme including undertaking feasibility work, procurement and appointment of the professional team, development and determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation, including the procurement and appointment of an operator.

 

(4) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer, to make an allocation within the General Fund Capital Programme for the co-funding part of the Re-imagining Newhaven programme, subject to further finance and legal advice, also subject to a sound business case.

 

(5) To write a letter of thanks to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, for the Future High Streets Fund grant and thank those officers at the Council who have worked towards the Re-imagining Newhaven programme.

 

Reason for decisions:

 

1) A grant offer letter has been received from MHCLG on 03/06/21 confirming the funding award.

 

(2) Newhaven remains a regeneration priority for the Council, building upon Enterprise Zone designation and investment from a range of partners, and the formation of the Newhaven Town Deal.

 

(3) The Re-imagining Newhaven programme strongly aligns with the Council’s Community Wealth Building Pillars.

 

Notes: (1) The appendix remained exempt. (2) Exempt information reason 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

 

Supporting documents: