Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the inclusion of the additional £2million from the Mayor’s Sustainability Fund which was allocated through SYMCA, so that the allocated funds for the OPF total £4million.

2.    Approve the development of thematic interventions described at Section 2 and delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Council’s Section 151 Officer to add, amend or replace a scheme should it become unfeasible or undeliverable.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to develop various thematic interventions into detailed deliverable projects through the £2 million allocation named the Our Places Fund (OPF). In addition, the report recommended that an additional £2million of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Mayor’s Sustainability Fund be allocated to this project. This fund could be used to enhance the existing OPF scheme which in turn would create more impact and contribute to the Council’s priority to make ‘Every Neighbourhood Thriving’.

Following analysis of borough-wide consultation, a range of emerging areas for investment had been identified:

·       Civic Centre Improvements as set out in paragraphs 2.1.2-2.1.3 of the report. The indicative allocation was £1.5m.

·       Cenotaphs, Memorial and Monuments as set out in paragraph 2.1.4 of the report. The indicative allocation was £300k.

·       Pedestrian Movement as set out in paragraph 2.1.5 of the report. The indicative allocation was £1.4m.

In addition to the OPF consultation and continuing the theme of investment in local centres, there was existing evidence of demand for further intervention from communities where development work was already underway, areas such as Wath, Dinnington, Maltby and Swinton. In Maltby, as part of the Towns & Villages Fund, an extensive scheme of public realm improvements would be undertaken. In response to consultation on the proposed scheme, an additional allocation (£500k) would be made from OPF to enable the works to extend along the full length of the High Street. In Swinton, a redevelopment of the town centre was underway and had to date provided a refurbished library and Civic Hall. Works due to be extended included public realm upgrades. In response to previous community comments throughout the lifespan of this project, additional funding from OPF (£300k) would enable additional public realm works to be undertaken.

Cabinet Members noted that this was very welcome and exciting.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the inclusion of the additional £2million from the Mayor’s Sustainability Fund which was allocated through SYMCA, so that the allocated funds for the OPF total £4million.

2.    Approve the development of thematic interventions described at Section 2 and delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Council’s Section 151 Officer to add, amend or replace a scheme should it become unfeasible or undeliverable.