Agenda item

Purpose of Report

1.      To provide an update on the delivery of the Town Deal Sincil Bank Green Corridor project, including the arrangements for delivery of the gateways and greening improvements.

2.    To seek agreement to delegate final approval of the delivery and contracting arrangements for this project to the Section 151 Officer, Director of Major Developments and City Solicitor.

3.    To approve inclusion in the General Investment Programme of the capital expenditure to enable delivery of the Sincil bank Gateways and Greening project under the Towns Fund programme.

Decision

1.    That the update in respect of proposals to retain the gateways and greening element as part of the Sincil Bank Regeneration Project be acknowledged.

2.    That the final approval of the delivery and contracting arrangements for this project be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, Director of Major Developments and City Solicitor to a final scheme cost that could be financed and delivered viably.

3.    That the transfer of a £573,966 capital estimate to schemes directly delivered by the Council, in the General Investment Programme be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The Council had considered the option for Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) to deliver the highways improvements without any public realm works including the gateways and greening as set out in the original Towns Fund Business case. However, this would likely risk failing to deliver some of the key project outputs and as a result the Towns Board not being able to sign off the project and £2,997,952m funds being returned in full to Government. The Investment in Sincil Bank would be significantly reduced and opportunities to address issues raised previously by residents lost.

Reasons for the Decision

LCC was the lead delivery partner for the Sincil Bank Regeneration Scheme as proposed in the City’s Towns Investment Plan (TIP). The scheme would support the fund’s objectives through driving the economic development and growth of Lincoln as well as aligning with two of the Town Fund’s intervention themes including the ‘urban regeneration’ and ‘connectivity.’

The project involved improvements to the walking and cycling infrastructure and urban realm within Sincil Bank incorporating the plans and proposals developed by the Sincil Bank Revitalisation Partnership. The project included a range of interventions including the creation of a green corridor to support pedestrian and cyclist movements, gateway treatments, landscaping, urban realm improvements and alterations to the existing one-way system.

The project would complement the recently introduced residents parking scheme by reducing the level of traffic within the area which would in turn act as a catalyst for further investment. The intended outcome was to improve access to the Lincoln City Football Club stadium by walking and cycling, improving the visitor experience and supporting the wider regeneration programme.

The project formed a key part of the Lincoln Transport Strategy and aimed to contribute to the wider development of central Lincoln enabling the city to grow as a thriving place to live and work. It would support the regeneration of the Sincil Bank area of Lincoln, which suffered from poor accessibility, poor quality urban realm and high levels of traffic which impacted on air quality and resident’s quality of life.

Introducing gateways and enhancing the green spaces in the area would complement  the new Community Hub currently being built at Sincil Bank stadium which would be opening in 2024. The Community Hub would provide a space for training and skills as well as a safe space to promote health and wellbeing. This would compliment improvements to outside spaces to give the local community much needed opportunities to live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives in Lincoln.

The City of Lincoln Council proposed to procure the services of a project manager to work alongside the council’s Neighbourhood Manager and City of Lincoln Council (ColC) project lead to undertake ongoing community consultation, site identification and assessment, develop and refine gateway and green site design plans, secure planning approval and oversee delivery of agreed works.

The project would be overseen by the Sincil Bank Steering Group made up of Towns Board representatives, City Council officers and LCC Highways officers. Where appropriate some gateway projects may be included in LCC’s procurement for highways works to ensure maximum value for money.

As the Accountable Body, the Council would fund the total project value of £2,997, 952, from the Towns Fund through a Grant funding Agreement with  LCC as per the original financial model and approved business case. An additional form of agreement clarifying the terms of the £573,966 sublet works would also be put in place between the two parties prior to expenditure of any substantive contracted works.