Decision

1.
Hastings Borough Council act as the accountable body for the
Levelling Up Partnership programme and the Long-Term Plan for Towns
programmes.
2.
Authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, in
consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Section 151
Officer, in agreement with the government office to make proper
arrangements for the delivery of the programmes and expenditure of
government funding as follows:
a. To
manage the Levelling Up Partnership programme, maximising use of
the capacity funding (£90k for 2023/2025) provided by the
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
(DLUHC)
b. Make
payments to relevant organisations to deliver the Levelling Up
Partnership projects as determined by DLUHC.
c.
Make arrangements for the Long-Term Plan
for Towns capacity funding (£50k for 23/24 and £200k
for 2024/2025) provided by DLUHC to establish the ‘new’
Town Board and develop the Long-Term Town Investment Plan in
accordance with guidance.
d.
Make arrangements for the allocation of
payments for delivery of the Long-Term Town Plan projects as agreed
by the new Hastings Board.
3.
Authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, in
consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Section 151
Officer to deliver a Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme,
maximising use of the (potential) capacity funding
(£1.9million) for 2024-28 and (potential) capital funding of
£3.5 million for the same period.
4.
Progress with delivery of the Town Deal Programme and UK Shared
Prosperity Fund Programme be noted.
5. The
Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund offer be accepted,
and the new capital investment to be installed by the March 2025
deadline.
6.
Following a successful expression of interest (EOI), officers
proceed to work with local people and a consortium to scope and
develop a full application to the PlayZone programme (targeted at enhancing and
modernising our multi-use games areas) and explore with partners
options to secure the 25% match funding required for the
application. The PlayZone programme
prioritises engaging with groups with the greatest inequalities in
physical activity, including women and girls.
7. Amend
paragraph 10 of the covering report to read “The government
has provided £50,000 capacity funding to cover the upfront
costs for setting up a new Town Board by 1 April 2024. The Hastings
Board will be focused on the key thematic areas of the fund. Work
is underway to review the terms of reference and membership of the
Hastings Board.”