Decision details

To recommend the acceptance of Levelling Up Partnership (LUP) funding from MHCLG towards a number of local projects, including the Boston Leisure Project; and to seek agreement to make the associated revisions to the Boston Leisure Project to enable the much-needed centre investment to be undertaken.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the amended scope of the Boston Leisure Project, to incorporate a Community Volunteering & Wellbeing Hub in accordance with the LUP funding business case, be approved;

2.     That the formal acceptance of the LUP funding from MHCLG, with the Council’s Capital Programme being updated accordingly to enable project funds to be allocated, be recommended to Full Council;

3.     That authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Communities) in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive (Finance), the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Portfolio Holder for Culture & Leisure, to agree the final contract sums for phases 1 and 2 of the Boston Leisure Project and for the Deputy Chief Executive (Communities) to award the Phase 1 and 2 contracts provided they are within the revised project budget; and

4.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to enter into Grant Funding Agreements with external partners for the LUP funded projects.

To enable the Boston Leisure Project to be commenced and the additional LUP funded projects to be progressed.

Not agreeing the increase in scope of the Boston Leisure Project would jeopardise the LUP funding allocation and subsequently render the project undeliverable in its current form, further delaying its progress and risking the Council’s ability to deliver the agreed outcomes of the Town Deal project.

Recommending to Council that it should not accept the LUP funding would similarly jeopardise not only the Boston Leisure Project but also the BBC Community Organisations funding package and PE21 Rosegarth Square funding, and the further five external partner led LUP projects. This in turn would risk significantly damaging the Council’s reputation with central government, the local community and the many stakeholders that would be impacted by such a decision.