Decision details

Date of Decision:

21^st April 2026

Title:

Feasibility Fund Allocation: Approval of the Gainshare grant funding to progress Innovation Gateway priority projects.

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Simon Moss

(Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport)

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Cabinet approval - meeting held on 9 February 2026 (minute number 121 resolution 5).

That Cabinet delegate authority to the Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport in consultation with the Service Director of Financial Services and Cabinet member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, to approve the specific allocations of the Gainshare Feasibility Grant and any variations required through its delivery, as detailed in section 2.20.1 of the December 2025/26 Financial Monitoring Report.

Decision:

To approve the specific allocations of the Gainshare Feasibility Grant and any variations required through its delivery.

Reasons for the Decision:

To maintain momentum and ensure the alignment of Phase 1 schemes for Rotherham Gateway, the Council proposes utilising Gainshare funding. This will fund the three priority workstreams, plus resource capacity (internal recruitment to the Regeneration team or external expertise):

• Station Area (Floormat) Public Realm, car parking & northern access (Phase 1)
• Innovation Gateway Anchor Building (Phase 1)
• Effingham Street Active Travel Route (Phase 1a)

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

1) The Council could consider not progressing the other elements at this stage (Station building and public realm). This, however, could impact the Mainline Station/Tram-Train delivery programme, significantly delaying the progression of the FBC. It is critical that the public realm and building designs are prepared so they are ready for delivery at the same time. This option is not recommended in line with the Council’s ambitions for Borough-wide regeneration.

This option is not recommended.

2) Funding could be sought from alternative sources, including Council revenue rather than allocating the Gainshare funding. However, this type of development work is what Gainshare revenue is designated for, and it is a priority project for the Council as well as the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), as part of the Don Valley Corridor and South Yorkshire Plan for Good Growth. Using alternative sources would impact on the wider Council revenue budget.

This option is not recommended.

3) The Gainshare funding is specifically designed for the purposes proposed here and has been approved by SYMCA. It is therefore considered the best source for the development of the Phase 1 projects. The development of the priority projects now will ensure both the Masterplan and the Station Full Business Case can develop concurrently, meeting the Council’s regeneration aims.

This option is recommended.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports relevant to the decision being taken:

The report of the Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport: Feasibility Fund Allocation: Approval of the Gainshare grant funding to progress Innovation Gateway priority projects.