Issue - meetings

That:

(a) The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government Future High Street Fund grant of £11,048,260.00 be accepted.

(b) The scheme of projects that the grant amount will fund be accepted.

(c) The £3.5m of match funding towards the scheme of projects be approved; and.

(d) The Executive Director Commercial Development and Economic Growth be authorised to work with the Leader of the Council to deliver the projects as set out within the grant award.

Cabinet considered a report on the Future High Street Fund grant award.  MHCLG had confirmed the grant award in December but had allocated 69% of the submission amount due to overall demand for the Fund.  The Council had accepted the reduced amount and removed the Midway Car Park demolition from the scheme along with reducing expenditure on public realm projects.  The report set out that the grant had now been received and recommended some match funding towards the scheme of projects.

The report also listed the key projects which included:

-       Demolition of the former Civic Officers at Ryecroft

-       A new multi-storey car park at Ryecroft

-       Improvements to the market area

-       Improvements to part of upper High Street

-       Pedestrian wayfinding

Resolved: That:

(a) The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government Future High Street Fund grant of £11,048,260.00 be accepted.

(b) The scheme of projects that the grant amount will fund be accepted.

(c) The £3.5m of match funding towards the scheme of projects be approved; and.

(d) The Executive Director Commercial Development and Economic Growth be authorised to work with the Leader of the Council to deliver the projects as set out within the grant award.