Agenda and minutes

DECISION

1.         That the draft UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan be approved.

2.         That delegated authority be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, to make any amendments that might arise prior to the submission of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan to Department of Levelling Up, Communities and Housing.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

Cllr Nigel Welton

MS

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Nigel Welton introduced a report by the Deputy Chief Executive – Growth setting out the UK Shared Prosperity Fund draft submission and the background on the consultation process.

The report stated that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) had opened to provide funding for economic development across the whole of the UK.  The focus of the fund was in part the replacement for the previous European Social Fund, with an emphasis on skills based training and development, but was wider and more flexible than its EU forerunners.

The South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) had been allocated £9.3 million over the next three years.  The fund was a key part in the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda, providing money for councils to invest in:

• Local communities and places
• Support for local businesses
• People and skills

Full details of the theme objectives were set out in the UKSPF Prospectus document and replicated in the report.

The breakdown of funding between the SELCP was:-

• Boston Borough Council – £2.2 million
• East Lindsey District Council - £4.4 million
• South Holland District Council - £2.7 million

It was noted that the funding element for the people and skills theme would not commence until 2023.  The funding may be spent on activities or buildings and equipment, but was predominantly for revenue projects and there was a suggested split between revenue and capital each year. 

The Investment Plan, appended to the report, was a strategy document that detailed how the allocation of the funding would deliver outcomes for people under the three themes set out above.

In considering which projects would be selected to be funded through UKSPF, the Prospectus had been clear that there must have been significant public consultation to ensure the investment plan met the needs of the community and stakeholders to fully maximise the benefits of the fund.

Consultation was held in June and July 2022 and numerous stakeholders were identified and encouraged to submit ideas and share further.  There had also been many engagement events held with the public and Councillors. 

The Corporate and Community Committee had considered the UKSPF at its meeting on 14 July and were supportive of the plan.  Full Council had been consulted at its meeting on 25 July 2022 and confirmed its support for the Investment Plan to be submitted.

It was noted there had been a very positive response to the consultation which had been used to form the basis of the investment strategy.

The Draft Investment Plan, attached as an appendix to the report, set out:-

·         Local Challenges for each theme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

DECISION

1.         That the formal adoption of the Cultural Framework for Renewal be supported.

2.         That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director – Economic Growth, in consultation with the portfolio holder, Councillor Richard Austin, for any final amendments to be made and incorporated into the final document for publication on the Council’s website.

3.         That the extension of the work to reflect the Partnership with South Holland be supported.

4.         That the submission of the Expression of Interest for National Portfolio Organisation status with Arts Council England be noted.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

Cllr Richard Austin

LR

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Richard Austin introduced a report by the Assistant Director – Economic Growth,

setting out the background to the development of a new Cultural Framework for Boston and East Lindsey.

The report stated that the Arts Council England (ACE) had awarded funding to both Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council to support the development of Cultural Strategies.  Following the Strategic Alliance between the two Councils in 2020 it had been agreed to align the two strategies and an extension to the work was granted to ensure a connected approach to both projects.

Set against the backdrop of Covid recovery and a new South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, the Cultural Framework sought to build on the significant progress achieved in recent years to support cultural activity, build capacity and demonstrate commitment to excellence and innovation in cultural infrastructure, partnership and programming.

The Framework aligned with the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper and funding opportunities of Cultural Investment through Town Deals and Levelling Up Funds.  It was also symbiotic with policy for the visitor economy and the ambition for culture to support the communities’ health and well-being.

Both Boston and East Lindsey had been designated as Arts Council Priority Places, areas where there was significant potential but also where multiple barriers had historically stood in the way of system-wide cultural renewal.  The area’s ageing population and sustained loss of younger talent; limited transport inks; health and well-being indicators; fragmented communities; and lack of critical mass in a range of industries were commonly identified as challenging features or barriers to cultural development.

Consultation through a programme of workshops and interviews had informed the draft Cultural Framework, attached at Appendix A of the report, which had proposed four strategic themes emerging from the consultation and research:-

• Culture for All;
• Health and Well-being;
• Cultural Infrastructure; and
• Cultural Places

Full details of the consultation undertaken and responses were set out in the report.

Feedback from the Arts Council England had been formally received and integrated into the draft Cultural Framework.  The amendments included a refreshed vision, further alignment with the ACE strategy ‘Let’s Create’, definition of culture to include everyday culture, emphasis on data and a refined governance model to reflect the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Expression of Interest already submitted.

The NPO funding would support a programme of art and culture across the Partnership, as well as enabling an education,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

DECISION    

1.         That the provisional year end position, variations to the 2021/22 approved budget and resulting effect on the Council's balances and reserves as shown in Appendix A be noted.

2.         That Council be recommended to transfer £1,830,999 to the Funding Volatility Reserve to fund the 2022/23 budget, this being the Section 31 grant allocated to the Council in 2021/22 but required in 2022/23.

3.         That the use of reserves in Table 3 at Appendix A be noted and approved.

4.         That Council be recommended to drawdown £1,864,887 from the Funding Volatility Reserve which is the Section 31 grant set aside in 2020/21 to cover the reduced Business Rates received in 2021/22.

5.         That Council be recommended to approve that the final revenue surplus (currently estimated as £165,024) be transferred to the Transformation Reserve to fund future projects which will help realise future revenue savings and service improvements.

6.         That the 2021/22 capital position shown in Table 4 be noted and the changes required to the Capital Programme for 2022/23 be approved.

7.         That Council be recommended to approve the carry forward of the Capital Budget of £3.55m as detailed in Table 6 of Appendix A.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

Cllr Jonathan Noble

CM

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Jonathan Noble introduced a report by the Strategic Finance Manager (PSPS) and the Deputy Chief Finance Officer (PSPS) setting out the Council’s draft financial position as at the end of 2021/22.

The report stated that the 2021/22 year had seen the country move out of pandemic response into a recovery phase.  The Council was still seeing the effects of the pandemic on its finances which had been both positive and negative.  Combined with the impact on household finances which had been seen in the latter part of the year, had meant it had been more difficult than usual to budget and forecast the financial position of the authority. 

A final revenue budget surplus, estimated at £165,024 had been identified which was mainly as a result of increased one off government support and review of its provisions and it was proposed to transfer the underspend to the Transformation Reserve to fund future projects which would help realise future revenue savings and service improvements.

Full details of the financial position of the authority were attached at Appendix A of the report, including:

• The General Fund Revenue Budget;
• The General Fund Reserves Position;
• The Capital Outturn for 2021/22; and
• High level Treasury Management Performance for the year.

Proposals for movements between reserves and amendments to the capital programme were set out in the appendix to the report.

Cabinet were in support of the reserve budget being closely monitored and additional money being added where possible for future use.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

To not approve the reserve movements outlined.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.

DECISION

That the update on the Boston Fishing Industry be noted.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Nigel Welton provided an update on the Boston fishing industry, following a meeting between local representatives and elected Members, and a commitment given at the meeting of Full Council on 27 June 2022 to lobby the Minister on the current issues being faced by the fishing community which was impacting on their livelihoods and future sustainability of the industry.

Cabinet requested that arrangements be made for Members to visit the quayside to meet with the fishermen to discuss the on-going issues.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

None.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.

Signed by the Deputy Chief Executive

29 July 2022

These decisions will come into force (and may then be implemented) on the expiry of five clear working days after the date of this notice UNLESS the decisions are subjected to the Call-In procedure or are starred minutes requiring Full Council approval.