Issue - meetings

Following a competitive bidding process, BCP Council has been awarded £19,993,858 Levelling Up Fund by Government to invest in specific seafront infrastructure projects to safeguard and create jobs; enable delivery of community projects; stimulate commercial investment, increase physical activity and improve place identity.  All delivery costs including staffing resource, have been capitalised within the budget.  The programme is aligned to the draft Corporate Strategy:

·        Create sustainable and contemporary infrastructure that connects our communities, offers choice, and encourages people to be active

·        Strive to be as self-sustaining as we can be in water, energy and economy

·        Restore, recover and regenerate our natural environment and enhance community access

·        Work with partners to ensure everyone feels safe

·        Promote quality of life for all, where people live active, independent lives

Celebrate our cultural identity and diverse heritage to inspire a sense of pride

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)        Approved delivery of the Coastal Communities Seafront Infrastructure Project as set out in the DHULC Levelling Up Funding award to BCP Council;  

(b)        Delegated authority to the Service Director for Commercial Operations in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Operations to spend and deliver the £19.9m project; and

(c)        Agree an update on delivery progress to Cabinet in September 2024

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities

Reasons

BCP Council has formally accepted the grant offer from DHULC. 100% externally funded, the programme delivers monetised benefits of £105,866,082 and a projected benefit to cost ratio of 4.65. Investments will reduce seafront maintenance (revenue pressure) and unlock commercial growth (revenue growth). In order to maintain progress on the project interventions, which have a funding requirement to complete by March 2025, approval is required by 6th September. Risk to approval delay will result in the programme timeline being unachievable and risk funding having to be returned to Government.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that following a competitive bidding process, BCP Council has been awarded £19,993,858 Levelling Up Fund by Government to invest in specific seafront infrastructure projects to safeguard and create jobs; enable delivery of community projects; stimulate commercial investment, increase physical activity and improve place identity, and that all delivery costs including staffing resource, have been capitalised within the budget. 

Cabinet was informed that the programme is aligned to the draft Corporate Strategy:

·        Create sustainable and contemporary infrastructure that connects our communities, offers choice, and encourages people to be active

·        Strive to be as self-sustaining as we can be in water, energy and economy

·        Restore, recover and regenerate our natural environment and enhance community access

·        Work with partners to ensure everyone feels safe

·        Promote quality of life for all, where people live active, independent lives

·        Celebrate our cultural identity and diverse heritage to inspire a sense of pride.

Members praised the work of officers and welcomed the report and the opportunities it presented.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

1.                Approved delivery of the Coastal Communities Seafront Infrastructure Project as set out in the DLUHC Levelling Up Funding award to BCP Council; 

2.                Delegated authority to the Service Director for Commercial Operations in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Operations to spend and deliver the £19.9m project; and

3.                Agree an update on delivery progress to Cabinet in September 2024

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities

Reasons

BCP Council has formally accepted the grant offer from DLUHC. 100% externally funded, the programme delivers monetised benefits of £105,866,082 and a projected benefit to cost ratio of 4.65. Investments will reduce seafront maintenance (revenue pressure) and unlock commercial growth (revenue growth). In order to maintain progress on the project interventions, which have a funding requirement to complete by March 2025, approval is required by 6th September. Risk to approval delay will result in the programme timeline being unachievable and risk funding having to be returned to Government.

Meeting adjourned at 12:07

Meeting reconvened at 12:16