Issue - meetings

Cabinet approved our approach to the preparation of a Town Investment Plan for Boscombe- Bournemouth on 26 June 2020.

The Towns Fund project is overseen by the Bournemouth Towns Fund Strategic Board and BCP Council is the Accountable Body for receiving and managing the grant.

Cabinet are asked to note that on 30 September 2020, BCP received an additional grant of £1m to fund capital projects that can be delivered this financial year (Accelerator Funding) through the Towns Fund. The grant will be used to start the delivery of ‘shovel-ready’ projects contained in the Interventions Framework of the Town Investment Plan, namely:

(1) the deployment of the first phase of Smart Place infrastructure in Boscombe;

(2) preliminary work needed ahead of the purchase of the land and buildings occupied by Bournemouth Indoors Bowls Centre (ground floor) and Skills and Learning (First Floor);

(3) Boscombe precinct short-term public realm improvements.

Cabinet are asked to note, that the Bournemouth Town Investment Plan was submitted to MHCLG on 30 October 2020 after scrutiny and approval by the Bournemouth Towns Fund Strategic Board, with a funding request for £24,998,803. The funding will enable the implementation of a number of projects and to part fund and facilitate the two flagship projects, namely the transformation of the Grade II listed Royal Arcade and the Boscombe Town Centre Masterplan. A decision from the MHCLG on the success of our Towns Fund bid is anticipated in early 2021.

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.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning 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 reminded that the 26 June Cabinet meeting approved our approach to the preparation of a Town Investment Plan for Boscombe- Bournemouth.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the Towns Fund project is overseen by the Bournemouth Towns Fund Strategic Board and BCP Council is the Accountable Body for receiving and managing the grant.

Cabinet was asked to note that on 30 September 2020, BCP Council had received an additional grant of £1m to fund capital projects that can be delivered this financial year (Accelerator Funding) through the Towns Fund. And that the grant will be used to start the delivery of ‘shovel-ready’ projects contained in the Interventions Framework of the Town Investment Plan, namely:

1)    the deployment of the first phase of Smart Place infrastructure in Boscombe;

2)    preliminary work needed ahead of the purchase of the land and buildings occupied by Bournemouth Indoors Bowls Centre (ground floor) and Skills and Learning (First Floor);

3)    Boscombe precinct short-term public realm improvements.

Cabinet was further asked to note, that the Bournemouth Town Investment Plan was submitted to MHCLG on 30 October 2020 after scrutiny and approval by the Bournemouth Towns Fund Strategic Board, with a funding request for £24,998,803. The funding will enable the implementation of a number of projects and to part fund and facilitate the two flagship projects, namely the transformation of the Grade II listed Royal Arcade and the Boscombe Town Centre Masterplan. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that a decision from the MHCLG on the success of our Towns Fund bid is anticipated in early 2021.

Councillor George Farquhar addressed the Cabinet expressing support for the paper and advising that it was long overdue. In addition Councillor Farquhar advised that he had attended a number of the consultations and meetings with residents and businesses.

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