Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
The purpose of this report is to agree the Council’s approach to spending the Welcome Back Fund.
The Council has been allocated £168,270 from the Government’s Welcome Back Fund for projects to help boost the look and feel of high street and coastal areas to support their re-opening as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
This funding is for Council projects to support a safe return and welcome to residents and visitors. The funding builds on the Re-Opening High Streets Safely fund, for which the spend was agreed as part of the Economic Recovery Plan agreed in September 2020. Guidance is available with which the Council’s activity plan must match, including on eligible projects, procurement routes and publicity requirements. This additional fund can support activities until March 2022.
Following cross-service discussions, a proposed activity list is included in the report for Executive consideration and approval. The proposed activity list focusses on events and activities to support the re-opening of high streets and green spaces across the Borough and is intended to fully maximise the funding available.
RESOLVED that the Executive:
(a) approves the Welcome Back Fund Activity Plan for submission to Government; and
(b) agrees that the Director of Planning and Regeneration, following consultation with the Executive Member for Policy and Resources, be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Activity Plan in order to ensure compliance with the funding requirement, and subject to further feasibility work, in relation to confirming the final costs.
Report author: Gayle Wootton
Publication date: 08/06/2021
Date of decision: 07/06/2021
Decided at meeting: 07/06/2021 - Executive
Effective from: 18/06/2021
Accompanying Documents: