Decision details

The Council considered a report in respect of an update on the Transforming our Town Centre Programme and seeking approval of the Towns Fund decision-making process.

It was moved by Councillor John Gardner, and seconded by Councillor Sharon Taylor, that the recommendations in the report be approved.

In response to Member questions regarding the number of new high rise flats contained in the Towns Fund proposals in the light of likely different working patterns following the Covid pandemic, the Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration commented that one of the objectives was to provide homes to house residents as well as those attracted into the area to take up jobs associated with the growing Stevenage business sector, especially the pharmaceutical and STEM Gene and Cell Therapy units comprising the GlaxoSmithKline and Bioscience Catalyst campus.

Upon the motion being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED:

1.          That the progress of the regeneration programme be noted.

2.          That the progress of Towns Fund programme to date, including the obligations of the Council as the Accountable Body for the Towns Fund, be noted.

3.          That the creation of an Officer Panel to support the discharge of the Council’s obligations as Accountable Body be noted and approved.

4.          That the review and approval of Towns Fund Business Cases be delegated to the Executive.

5.          That it be noted that there will be future decision points for a number of Council-sponsored projects, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, following approval of the Towns Fund Business Cases and release of funding by the MHCLG.

6.          That the inclusion of the £37.5 million within the Council’s Capital Strategy be noted, and it be further noted that this is aligned with the Heads of Terms agreement with MHCLG, and that authorisation for Council match-funding will be reserved until the relevant Business Case is approved.