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Agenda item
EU Funding application approval - New Visitor Centre at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve
(Cabinet Decision)
Minutes:
The Environment and Natural Resources Manager presented a report which sought delegated approval for the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment and Place, to enter into a partnership agreement with the Lead Partner for the EU project (UPSTRAW), should a second stage submission for funding to support the development of a new visitor centre at Hastings Country Park be approved. A sub-partnership agreement with Groundwork Trust to support the delivery of the project would also be required.
The council held a longstanding ambition to provide a new visitor centre at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve, which is set out in the Corporate Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19. It was important that any new construction was sensitive to the landscape and environment of the country park. Extensive public consultation had been undertaken regarding the design and layout of the new visitor centre. In March 2015, planning permission was granted for a new building of straw bale construction.
The council had partnered with Groundwork South to project manage and deliver the new centre. A project board had been established to oversee these activities. The council had allocated £250,000 from a capital receipt to the project, and Groundwork South had been exploring a range of other funding opportunities.
Groundwork South and the council, along with the School of Natural Building, had pursued an opportunity to join European partners under the Interreg North-West Europe Programme to build public buildings from straw. A successful expression of interest had been submitted in February 2016. The partners were now required to submit a full application by 23 December 2016, with a decision expected in January or February 2017. Groundwork South are also exploring separate grant applications to support heritage and nature conservation themed interpretation throughout the nature reserve and new visitor centre.
The report acknowledged ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of European Union (EU) funding streams, following the outcome of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU earlier in the year. However, the Treasury had indicated that projects which have secured funding while the UK is still a member of the EU will be honoured by the government, provided they are good value for money and are in line with domestic strategic priorities.
Councillor Davies proposed approval of the recommendations to the Assistant Director, Environment and Place’s report, which was seconded by Councillor Poole.
RESOLVED (unanimously) to give delegated authority to the Director of Operational Services in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment and Place to:
· Sign a sub-partnership agreement with Groundwork trust to deliver the Hastings Borough Council associated activities and outcomes for the Interreg North-West Europe Programme – Public Building in Straw;
· Sign a full partnership agreement with the Lead Partner for the Interreg North-West Europe Programme – Public Building in Straw (UPSTRAW)
The reason for this decision was:
Hastings Borough Council is committed to delivering a new visitor centre at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. In 2014 were partnered up with Groundwork South to help deliver this ambition. Groundwork project managed the preparatory work from architects through to planning permission in 2015. Groundwork South has been working with European partners to prepare a submission for Interreg funding to build the visitor centre from straw bales. The submission deadline is 23 December 2016 with an expected award date early in 2017.
Supporting documents:
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