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Agenda item
Update since the last meeting
10:15
Attached:
Engagement Programme update
Minutes:
Pranesh Datta updated:
A decision on the Town Investment Plan (TIP) submission is expected in mid-May, after the local elections (6th May) and the draft Heads of Terms will be received. Initial indications are positive, but it is not clear what level of funding will be received. The projects within the TIP may be RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rated. Should there be a need to re-profile the projects depending on the RAG ratings, Genecon will be asked to provide independent advice. Rebecca explained that a red RAG rating indicates that a project within the submission will not be able to proceed, although very few submissions have received such ratings.
Once we receive the heads of terms, these will have to be agreed and returned to MHCLG within 3 weeks of receipt. Blackpool Council has published their heads of terms on their website and the link will be circulated to the board. Action: Pranesh
Link (cut and paste into browser): https://democracy.blackpool.gov.uk/documents/s57870/Appendix%202a%20Draft%20Heads%20of%20Terms.pdf
Accelerator fund projects update:
· White Rock Baths – capital works are almost complete and scheduled to open to the public in May
· Employment, events and advice hub at East Sussex College – 80% works complete and final works to be completed at the end of May
· Electric Vehicle Charging – project has been delivered and is nearing completion
· Hastings Commons Lower Alley – 90% of the works are complete, with minor landscaping works remaining which are due to complete mid-May
The co-chairs extended their congratulations to the projects on the fantastic achievements in getting the projects to this stage in a very short space of time. It was commented however that it is not good for community engagement to be working at such speed.
Engagement Programme update:
Hannah Brookshaw updated:
The current phase of the engagement programme is focusing on building brand awareness through the blog and social media channels. Once we receive the outcome of the submission and the draft heads of terms, work will commence with the project leads to develop the business cases.
New funding initiatives:
Community Renewal Fund
· Bids of up to £3m
· Expressions of interest should have been submitted to East Sussex County Council by 18th April, followed by full applications by 30th April. ESCC will submit the preferred proposals to government by 18th June 2021.
· Spend is likely to be from August/September 2021 to the end of March 2022
· The programme is a pilot for the Shared Prosperity Fund expected to be launched next year
Levelling Up Fund
· £4.8b fund will focus investment on projects that require up to £20m of funding. Bids above £20m and below £50m will be accepted for transport projects only
· The first round will focus on transport investments, regeneration and town centre investment and cultural investment
· The deadline for submission of first round bids is 18th June, with decisions expected in the Autumn and spend to be achieved by 2024/25.
· HBC submission is likely to be during the next round
High Street Task Force
· Hastings has been selected to participate in the High Street Task Force ‘Unlock Your Place Potential’ visit and discussion following the unsuccessful Future High Streets Fund application in March 2019
· The purpose of the visit is to diagnose and recommend technical and professional expertise for strategic transformation plans for the town centre
· The visit will take place in May 2021 – with restricted numbers
Community Ownership Fund
· £150m national fund to help community groups buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost
· The first bidding round will open by June
· Community and voluntary sector organisations will be able to bid for up to £250k match-funding
· Further guidance is yet to be published
The importance of ensuring how the various funding streams and projects can work together was discussed and the best approach should be considered once submissions have been made.
25th May 2021 has been identified as the date for an emergency board meeting to agree the heads of terms. A subsequent HBC cabinet meeting will also be arranged to seek cabinet agreement for the local authority Managing Director and Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) to sign the heads of terms, alongside the co-chairs of the board.
Supporting documents:
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