Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advising Members of the recent award of funding from Historic England under its High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme, and to obtain Members’ approval to accept the funding, to contribute funding, and to make appropriate delegations of authority to issue grants and other payments.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  accept funding from Historic England under its High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme should the Council’s application be accepted

(2)  become the designated Accountable body in the management and administration of the HSHAZ programme,

(3)  note the existing budgets to be used as match funding, and,

(4)  delegate authority to the Head of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, and the Council Solicitor to issue grants and payments from the HSHAZ programme and take all necessary steps including the entering into of legal agreements to enable delivery of the programme.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that advised Members of the recent award of funding from Historic England (HE) under its High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme, and sought to obtain Members’ approval to accept the funding, to contribute funding, and to make appropriate delegations of authority to issue grants and other payments.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advised Members that although final sign off by HE was still awaited, indications were that it would be forthcoming and work to secure additional funding was ongoing.  He noted that this approach had proved successful for the Southgate Street Townscape Heritage Initiative and will deliver a considerable improvement to the vibrancy of Westgate Street.  The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that the proposed £3.8 million investment in Westgate Street’s heritage assets was a step in the right direction between the recent improvements to Southgate Street and a future enhancement of Eastgate Street.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  accept funding from Historic England under its High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme should the Council’s application be accepted

(2)  become the designated Accountable body in the management and administration of the HSHAZ programme,

(3)  note the existing budgets to be used as match funding, and,

(4)  delegate authority to the Head of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, and the Council Solicitor to issue grants and payments from the HSHAZ programme and take all necessary steps including the entering into of legal agreements to enable delivery of the programme.