Issue - meetings
Levelling Up Fund
Meeting: 08/03/2023 - Cabinet (Item 78)
78 LEVELLING UP FUND 
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The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity to provide an update on the successful Levelling Up Funding Programme, to identify governance requirements and implications and to seek approval to accept the money and commence the work for implementation.
Decision:
Cabinet:
1. NOTED the successful outcome from the Levelling Up Fund
(LUF) bid.
2. NOTED that in line with prior approvals and the bid
submission, that, subject to Rutland County Council (RCC) approval, RCC will be
the ‘Lead Authority’ and accountable body for the funding and endorse their
acceptance of the required grant agreements with DHLUC.
3. Subject to council approval of recommendation 4:
3.1. APPROVED entry into the necessary and relevant legal
agreements with Rutland County Council to enable Melton Borough Council to
access its share of the Levelling Up Fund.
3.2. APPROVED entry into an agreement with SMB Group to enable
delivery of the theatre project as set out within the bid.
3.3. DELEGATED authority to the Director for Corporate Services,
in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity, to develop,
finalise and sign any associated legal documentation in relation to the
agreements set out in 2.3.1 and 2.3.2
3.4. DELEGATED authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation
with the Leader of the Council, to agree any necessary amendments with DLUHC to
enable the funding to be secured for Melton’s projects, should Rutland County
Council be unable to fulfil the accountable body role.
3.5. NOTED that regular updates on progress on the LUF
programme will be provided to the LUF Executive Board
4. RECOMMENDED to Council:
4.1. The acceptance of Melton’s proportion of the LUF
funding and approval to enter the capital scheme for the Stockyard project
totalling £11.1m to the capital programme for 2023/24 to enable its delivery.
4.2. The Approval to provide match funding of £1m through
capital receipts, and if not possible, fund through borrowing.
4.3. That authority be delegated to the Director for
Corporate Services to update the capital programme with the spend profile
across the relevant financial years for the Stockyard project once the detailed
budget plan has been prepared.
Minutes:
Director for Growth and
Regeneration introduced the report the purpose of which provided Members with
an update on the successful Levelling Up Funding programme, and the key Melton specific
projects within it. It also sets out governance requirements, obligations and
implications and seeking approval to commence the work for implementation.
The Portfolio Holder for
Growth and Prosperity said that the relevance of the paper is about the
governance of the funding, how it will meet the targets and the need to
consider the risks involved and how we will be able to deliver and be
accountable, Officers have worked hard along with Rutland County Council to
ensure we are able to deliver, and the work will fit within the framework we
already have. This funding will give great opportunity to the town and borough
particularly when coupled with the UKSPF funding and will turn a vision into a
reality.
During the discussion the following points were raised
- The Parish Councils need to be involved in the discussions regarding the local transport - Assurance was given that Parish Councils and Members will be involved with the decisions made.
- Determine which villages will be serviced by this proposed transport and is a map available - Members were advised that a conception map is available with the proposed transport services.
- As it is such a big project confirm that Audit and Scrutiny will be looking at this project - this is being considered at the next Audit and Standards meeting.
- Ensure that increased building costs had been taken into consideration when submitting the bids - assurances were given that costs will be considered and reviewed during the project.
- It is hoped that Melton Borough Council will benefit from the increased prosperity with the success of the Stockyard – Confirmation was given that the new units will generate additional income.
The Leader gave thanks to the local MP for her hard work in respect to the funding. He also gave thanks to all the Officers involved as they had put a lot of time and effort in getting this bid ready.
Cabinet: