Minutes:
The Board was asked to consider the two final options for the configuration of the programme, which were introduced by Jo Walker (Assistant Director of Growth, City of Lincoln Council). Option 1 would exclude three projects (The Hive, Sincil Bank and Store of Stories), with further savings of circa £495,000 required to meet the programme's funding envelope. Option 2 would exclude Wigford Way (estimated cost £5 million), with the feasibility and design of this project continuing, which would therefore ensure it was primed for future funding opportunities. Jo Walker, the Assistant Director of Growth at the City of Lincoln Council, as the professional representative of the accountable body, recommended Option 2, as this offered the most flexible approach.
The representatives from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that if certain projects were not viable or deliverable, they could be removed from the programme and others added in their place via a proposal to the Government. However, a final decision on this would be required by March 2022.
Marc Jones, the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, requested more information on the rationale why the seven options set out in the consultants' report had been reduced to the two options being put forward to Board for decision, and recorded his support for Option 4. In response, the Board was advised that whilst it was for the consultants to set out their rationale for recommending the two options, it appeared the consultants had chosen the two options which had excluded the lowest ranking projects.
Nicole Hilton (Lincolnshire County Council) asked for information on the likelihood of the Wigford Way project being included in the Levelling Up programme and indicated that if it were not included in the Town Deal programme, it could be challenging to obtain future funding for this project. In response, it was stated that there was no guarantee of future funding for the Wigford Way project, however the feasibility work would stand it in good stead when submitting any applications for funding.
In response to a question from Edward Strange (Brewin Dolphin), it was confirmed that under Option 2, the surplus would be used to fund the feasibility and design of the Wigford Way project.
Karl McCartney, the MP for Lincoln, indicated that Option 2 would in effect be removing Wigford Way from the programme, which was one of the original projects submitted. Whereas if other options were on the table, such as Option 4, the Wigford Way project would be delivered as submitted.
Councillor Ric Metcalfe, the Leader of the City of Lincoln Council, favoured Option 2 and referred to the uncertainty of the deliverability of Wigford Way, and to the uncertainty of match funding from the highway authority for this project.
Leo Scott Smith (Tended) expressed his support and thanks to Focus Consultants for their independent report. Nick Worboys (Longhurst Group) echoed Leo’s statement and expressed her support for Option 2 in the report.
Becky Scott (Legal Services Manager, City of Lincoln Council) confirmed that all voting members could vote on the recommendations in the report.
At this stage in the meeting, Marc Jones, the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, wished it recorded that as he disagreed with ruling out the other five options and as someone who supported Option 4, he would abstain from the vote on Options 1 and 2.
Members of the Board were asked to vote on Option 1 and Option 2 in turn and by majority vote, Option 2 was carried. The Chair advised she had not taken part in the vote on the options to ensure the neutrality of the Chair.
RESOLVED
(1) That Option 2 be progressed to the next stage.
(2) That the City of Lincoln Council would continue to work in partnership with all stakeholders to try to secure further funding beyond the programme for the delivery of the Wigford Way project beyond the feasibility stage, including through Levelling Up if it be considered appropriate for this fund.