Decision

Energising Blyth Programme: Levelling Up Deep Dive 

RESOLVED that:-

(a )     Cabinet accept the award of £20.71m Levelling Up Deep Dive capital and revenue funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and it's use as follows;

·       Add £19,630,000 to the Capital Programme as an identified budget allocation for the capital projects identified in this report.

·       Add £1,080,000 as an identified revenue budget for the revenue funded projects and programme management arrangements outlined in this report;

(b )     Cabinet note that the funding will be used to deliver new initiatives to support the delivery of the Blyth Town Investment Plan as part of the Energising Blyth Programme including ‘Welcoming and Safe Blyth’, ‘Housing Renewal and Town Centre Living’ and ‘Energy Central Campus: Technical Training Kit’;

(c )     Cabinet approve the associated financial profiles as set out in the report fully funded by the Levelling Up Deep Dive and agree to: 

·       Establish a new Blyth Empty Homes Team in 2023 for two years from appointment

·       Authorise the S151 officer in consultation with the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to enter into internal grant funding agreement for the empty homes team revenue costs subject to confirmation of funding being in place and local assurance being followed

·       Authorise the S151 officer in consultation with the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to approve initial design fees up to the value of £1,993,469 across the programme

·       The associated programme management and assurance arrangements to support the programme’s delivery as set out in the report.  This includes the appointment of a Senior Programme Officer in 2023 to support the programme funded for two years from appointment drawn from the revenue budget above