Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: (1)  That the completion of the Council’s 2022/25 UKSPF Programme, as set out in the report to the Executive Board in December 2024 be noted.   (2)  That confirmation of the Council’s allocation of £2.786m to support the delivery of the UKSPF Extension Programme for 2025/26 be welcomed, and in doing so, a supplementary capital estimate of £358k and a supplementary revenue estimate of £2.428m to be funded from the UKSPF grant be welcomed.   (3)  That the proposed project allocations and funding profile for the Council’s UKSPF Extension Programme for 2025/26, as set out at Appendix A attached to the report be approved (subject to compliance with Government’s Subsidy Control Regulations).   (4)  That the new reporting and accountable body arrangements for the UKSPF Extension Programme for 2025/26 required by Government be noted.  The recently formed Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) would now act as the accountable body for all Lancashire Councils with Blackpool Council performing this role on behalf of the LCCA.   (5)  That the Strategic Directors for Growth and Development and Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to finalise the Council’s UKSPF contractual arrangements for 2025/26 with Blackpool Council.   (6)  That, in view of change in funding arrangements with the LCCA and with some of the projects continuing on from the current financial year, the possibility of the Council making payments to delivery partners in advance of receipt of UKSPF fund be noted.   (7)  That membership of a new Darwen Town Deal Board, as set out in the report, which would help to streamline and integrate Darwen’s current governance arrangements, comprising the Darwen Town Deal and (former) Long Term Plan for Town Boards to oversee both the delivery of the Town Deal Delivery Programme and Plan for Neighbourhoods (PfN) initiative be approved for consideration by Government.   (8)  That it be agreed that the spatial boundary for the Darwen PfN initiative should be coterminous with the agreed Darwen Town Deal boundary to ensure strategic alignment.   (9)  That the Strategic Directors for Growth and Development and Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to finalise the Darwen Town Board governance and PfN boundary arrangements with Government.   (10)        That the Council’s gratitude be expressed to the Darwen Town Deal Board for their work in establishing a major growth plan which was delivering key outcomes for Darwen.   (11)        That the Government’s requirement to develop a 10-year Regeneration Plan and a 4-year Investment Plan for the Darwen PfN initiative, building on the work already undertaken by the former Darwen Long Term Plan Board, which would form the nucleus of the new Darwen Town Board be noted.   (12)        That it be noted more detailed guidance was due shortly on the preparation of the PfN Regeneration and Investment Plans, which was to be submitted to Government by this Autumn, with spend commencing from April 2026.  Once new guidance was received and analysed, a further report would be submitted to the Executive Board on the development and approval of the PfN Regeneration and Investment Plans.   (13)        That the necessary adjustments to the Council’s Revenue Budget be approved to reflect the profile of likely expenditure and funding as set out in the Financial Implications, and it be acknowledged that this may be subject to change as the 10-year Regeneration and 4-year Investment Plan were finalised.