Decision details

The Strategic Director (TP) updated the Committee on progress regarding the Towns Deal Fund, development of a Towns Deal Board and Investment Plan.  Stevenage was one of the towns across England that had been invited to work with the government to develop innovative regeneration plans.  A prospectus for the Towns Deal was published in November 2019. The prospectus explained how towns can prepare for a Towns Deal and it outlined requirements such as the setting up of Towns Deal Boards and investment priorities and project proposals set out in a locally-owned Town Investment Plan. It was confirmed that district and borough councils would have oversight of governance arrangements. Local authorities had the flexibility to identify projects in their areas of responsibility.

The Strategic Director assured Members that Towns Deal Board members would have a duty to avoid conflict of interest. Board members would be expected to adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Life and a Code of Conduct. There would be an expectation for the Board to disclose interest on any matter and for others to call out suspected conflicts of interest.  The Strategic Director indicated that the Towns Deal Board would have an advisory and not executive function.