Agenda item

Purpose of Report

To approve the Lincoln Town Investment Plan proposed for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by 29 October 2020.

Decision

That the Executive:

(1)            Approves the Town Investment Plan, proposed for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by 29 October 2020.

(2)            Approves works for Cornhill Square and Lincoln Central Market as the priority for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Accelerated Town Funding of £1 million.

(3)            Approves the Council’s role as accountable body for the Town Deal Project Programme.

(4)            Approves the Council’s role as Project Lead in delivery of the following Town Deal Projects:

-        Lincoln Central Market;

-        Tentercroft Street.

(5)            Approves the Council’s role as Project Lead in delivery of the following Road to Zero Carbon Reduction Projects:

-        SME Green Recovery Grant Scheme;

-        Community Investment Bond Scheme;

-        Construction Retrofit Project.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Other options considered, together with prioritisation criteria, risks and associated mitigations, were set out in the report.

Reason for Decision

Lincoln was one of 101 towns selected by the Government to work towards a Town Deal, with the potential to secure up to £25 million of funding to support proposals which would delivery long-term economic growth.

In response to selection in December 2019 and the Government’s published Town Deal prospectus, a multi-agency Town Deal Board was established to oversee the development of a Town Investment Plan in January 2020, a pre-requisite for securing Town Funds. Over the past nine months the Town Deal Board had considered the economic evidence alongside engagement and consultation with local stakeholders and communities in order to develop a long-term vision, strategy and five-year project intervention programme to support the growth and development of the city. This work, together with ongoing discussion with the Government’s Town Hun advisors, had been the basis for the Town Investment Plan as appended to the report and proposed for submission.

The following vision for the Lincoln Town Deal, aligned to the Town Fund Intervention Framework and developed from the analysis of evidence, had been supported by the Town Deal Board:

‘A world class heritage city, which has embraced the opportunities presented by the digital economy to drive investment, innovation and productivity, creating opportunities for all, attracting new talent and securing Lincoln’s future as a dynamic, sustainable and inclusive place.’

This vision was supported by the following priorities:

-        digitalisation;

-        skills to support inclusive growth;

-        sustainable transport;

-        urban regeneration to support arts, culture, heritage and enterprise infrastructure.

Further information was contained within the report in relation to each priority, together with specific projects allocated to each priority area.

The development of the Plan had also been considered in the context of Covid-19 recovery, carbon reduction and inclusive growth needs. It was structured in line with Government guidance and comprised two sections. Section 1 set out the context, strategy and process planning whereas Section 2 outlined the details of the project proposals.

It was reported that a total of £24.75 million Town Fund Investment was required to support the overall programme. This would lever direct co-funding support of £20.50 million to drive growth and underpin further private sector development.

The City of Lincoln Council was the recognised accountable body for the Town Fund Programme and the authority would continue to manage the overall programme of delivery as well as lead on delivery of a number of key projects. Resources had been identified to enable the Council to carry out this function through a combination of in-house staff, recruitment and consultancy expertise. The budget for this programme management function had been included within the overall Investment Plan and Town Fund ‘ask’.

In addition to the main Town Deal programme, a grant of £1 million was being offered to fund capital projects that could be delivered this financial year. The delivery of the wider public realm works to the Cornhill Square, to follow on from the demolition of the kiosk, tree retention and gateway treatment had been identified as a proposal that could be accelerated for delivery in the current financial year. This proposal was supported by the Lincoln Town Deal Board on 25 July 2020 and subsequently by Government in September 2020 with the scheme able to proceed to formal contract and mobilisation for delivery in early 2021.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe took this opportunity to place on record his thanks to Jo Walker, Assistant Director, and her team and other colleagues from across the authority for producing an excellent Town Investment Plan for Lincoln. This had been an outstanding example of good partnership working with a very wide range of partners, with the final result speaking for itself in the shape of a very impressive document ready for submission.

It was unclear at this stage what the full extent of support would be in terms of the amount of money that would be successfully bid for, but the proposal consisted of a range of good projects for delivery. It was also pleasing that funding had already been received in respect of the Cornhill improvement scheme in addition to the package of projects included as part of the proposal.

Councillor Neil Murray reiterated the thanks to Jo Walker and officers for the huge amount of work they had undertaken and emphasised how much this investment would be needed in the city. He was also pleased that money for the Cornhill improvements had already been received which would complement the recent refurbishment of the area very close to it. Councillor Murray felt that the inclusion of the Central Market as a project in the Town Improvement Plan was important. Overall he felt that the Town Deal would be significant to Lincoln’s local economic recovery.

Councillor Bob Bushell acknowledged that it was unknown at this stage whether the full bid would be accepted, but he said there was every chance that it would. In respect of the Cornhill improvement scheme, he questioned whether any greenery would be included as part of its specification.

It was noted that it would be a recommendation of the Lincoln Town Deal Board and, ultimately, a decision of the Executive as to how funding was allocated to projects. A prioritisation exercise had already been undertaken which would be reconsidered as soon as the outcome of the submission had been confirmed.

The Cornhill improvement scheme would seek to provide an open events space, with other projects such as the Sincil Bank project, making provision for more greenery and green spaces in the city.

Councillor Chris Burke agreed with all of the points raised and highlighted the importance of the Sincil Bank scheme.