Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance updating Members on the progress of the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity and Levelling Up funding opportunities.

Levelling Up Fund (LUF):

An addendum to the report was circulated prior to the meeting and provided Members with further information in relation to the LUF.  Three recommendations to replace recommendation (i) as detailed in the report were set out on the addendum.

The Committee received a presentation from the Strategy, Policy and Communications Manager which outlined a number of areas including background to the LUF, how it was to be delivered, the application process and investment priorities.  Members were reminded that Maldon had recently been upgraded to Category 1 and the details of this change were explained.  The LUF application process was complex with a high level of detail that the Government expected to be provided when considering each stage.

A lengthy debate ensued and in response to a number of comments and questions raised Officers provided Members with additional information which included:

·                 Officers had spent a large amount of time working on the contingency figure and 20% was felt to be sufficient to put into the bid.

·                 A letter of support from Maldon Town Council could be submitted as part of the process and if they were minded to Officers could make appropriate arrangements outside of the meeting.

·                 The costs had been arrived at through detailed work with architects and had been through independent economic appraisal. 

·                 Full details, surveys etc. would be carried out if approval for the spend was approved by Members.

·                 The Council had to overunderwrite the cost of any underoverruns[1], but a quantity surveyor would be employed to drive value and ensure there was as little wastage from the construction stage as possible.

·                 Whilst there were other locations that were also worthy of further investment there had to be a degree of policy or strategy approval in place.  Without the Central Area Master Plan (CAMP) the bid could not have been progressed in six weeks.  Officers felt the proposed options gave the Council the best chance of gaining funding.

·                 Planning permission was still required along with a lot of work on the final design.

·                 Under the terms of the LUF dredging could not be included as this was considered a maintenance cost.  If Maldon was successful, this may provide opportunity for discussions with barge owners and Heritage Harbour Association and may open other opportunities to fund a more regular dredging programme in the future.

Members commended Officers on the work they had done over a very short period of time to bring this proposal together. 

It was requested that recommendation (iv) be amended to include reference to the LUF and would be reporting to the Corporate Projects Working Group.  This was agreed.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the recommendations, as amended be agreed and requested that Officers consider doing a soil search, commenting that he did not want this as a further recommendation.  This was duly seconded.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor K M H Lagan requested a recorded vote.  He subsequently advised he was happy to have his dissent recorded.

Councillor Fluker raised a Point or Order and asked for a point of clarity in respect of Procedure Rule 4, advising that he had reviewed the Minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 25 May 2022 regarding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and could see them mentioning the Maldon Hythe Quay.  Councillor Fluker advised he was happy for the Officer to confirm this outside of the meeting.

The Chairman put the proposal including bringing forward updates to the Corporate Projects Working Group.  This was duly agreed.  Councillor Lagan asked that his dissent be noted.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

It was noted that since the last meeting of the Committee the allocated preparatory fund had been utilized to support the development of the Council’s Investment Plan and capacity consultants had been appointed.

The Committee received a presentation from the Lead Specialist: Prosperity providing detailed information on the Fund and work being undertaken.

In response to comments, Members were advised by the Officer that initially 42 interventions had been identified and these were reported to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 25 May 2022 along with further updates sent to Members via email during May and June 2022.  The number had since been reduced and although it was acknowledged this was ambitious it was hoped that some such as the Burnham-on-Crouch pontoon would be brought forward early.  It was confirmed that projects would be prioritised and any changes would be done in consultation with the local partnership group.

The Chairman thanked both Officers for their informative presentations.

RESOLVED

(i)               that the progress made at compiling an application to the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund Round 2 to invest in the Maldon Historic Waterfront Revival Programme be noted;

(ii)              That Members agree to commit the Council’s land and property assets of Hythe Quay, the former River Bailiff Hut and the former River Bailiff Classroom, as a match-contribution to the application;

(iii)            that the release of £49,200 from the Levelling-Up Fund Capacity Grant 2022 / 23 to be spent on advancing the Maldon Historic Waterfront Revival Programme’s planning application between July and September 2022 be approved.

(iv)            That Members agree to commit 10% of the Council’s revenue allocation for years two and three of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to develop collaborative interventions with the North Essex Economic Board where feasible and appropriate;

(v)             That Members agree to commit 10% of the Council’s revenue allocation for the duration of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to develop collaborative interventions to address health inequalities with the Mid Essex Alliance where feasible and appropriate;

(vi)            That Members note the aggressive pace of work required to submit the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and delegate the authority to the Corporate Leadership Team for development and submission in line with our corporate strategies and bring forward new opportunities to be included.  Members will be provided with a written fortnightly update along with the Corporate Projects Working Group in respect of both the LUF and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.