Decision details

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet note that on 30 September 2020, BCP received an additional grantof £1m to fund capital projects that can be delivered this financial year (Accelerator Funding) through the Towns Fund;

(b)          the deployment of a small, sub-6 GHz 5G network as part of the first phase of deployment of the first phase of Smart Place infrastructure in Boscombe be approved; and

(c)          the contents of the Town Investment Plan, submitted to the MHCLG on 30 October 2020 be noted.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

Boscombe continues to be an area of entrenched deprivation under the Indices of Deprivation 2019, despite long standing multiagency regeneration efforts. The impact of the coronavirus and the decline of secondary commercial areas has further added to the issues affecting Boscombe.

The Towns Fund represents a considerable funding opportunity. If successful, this will be used to unlock ambitious regeneration plans for this disadvantaged neighbourhood with considerable investment potential, creating residential accommodation, improvements to public realm and open spaces and creation of office and community spaces.

These transformational plans will ensure Boscombe is in a position to not just survive, but positively thrive for the foreseeable future.