Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Levelling Up Delivery Board (copy to follow).

Councillor M F L Durham declared a non-registerable interest in this item of business as he was Cabinet Member for the Arts, Heritage and Culture at Essex County Council, Chairman of Visit Essex and a Board Member of the Arts Council England South East Board.

The Council considered the report of the Levelling Up Delivery Board presenting the proposed Levelling Up Investment Plan (Appendix 1 to the report) and seeking agreement for it to be submitted to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) by 3 June 2024.

Councillor J Driver, Chairperson of the Levelling Up Delivery Board presented the report and provided the Council with detailed information regarding the work undertaken and the projects set out in Appendix 1 to the report. The Director of Strategy and Resources thanked the Levelling Up Delivery Board for the thorough work it had done along with Officers, particularly the Lead Specialist Prosperity and Senior Project Manager

The Council then received a detailed presentation from the Lead Specialist Prosperity and Senior Project Manager.

Members were advised that when this fund was announced within the Governments Spring Budget 2024 it was specifically for culture funding and therefore the options for using the funding were limited. During the lengthy debate that ensued a number of questions were raised by Members and the Officers present provided detailed responses to them. This included information relating to the project operating costs, funding, consultation along with working in partnership with interested parties, the modelling figures used in terms of the number of people using the projects, potential income and the proposed timeline.

Councillor A S Fluker raised some concern regarding recommendation (iii) particularly monitoring the spend. He proposed that recommendation (iii) be amended, and the Strategy and Resources Committee receive reports on a regular basis to monitor the spend in relation to the costs detailed. This proposal was duly seconded.

The Director of Strategy and Resources clarified that legislatively the monies had been passed by parliament but recognised that a new Government could make changes to that. In respect of the funding, he agreed that close monitoring was required and explained that this could not be capitalised until the asset had been released. The Interim Chief Finance Officer informed Members’ that the Council wouldn’t drawdown any monies until the DLUHC had accepted the investment fund.

Further detailed debate ensued. Councillor W Stamp asked that it be recorded that she did not agree with recommendation (iii) and felt it should be removed and an extraordinary meeting of the Council called to review the costs.

At this point the Leader of the Council highlighted the importance to see the opportunity that the proposed Levelling Up projects would offer.

The Chairperson then sought clarification from Councillor Fluker on the wording of his earlier proposal.