Agenda item

(A report by Pranali Parikh, Director of Economic Development)

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Gilbert, presented a report by the Director of Economic Development which provided an update on the Plan for Neighbourhoods and sought approval for the use of capacity funding to support its development. Details on the funding profile were attached as Appendix 1, a map of the details of the Boston intervention area were attached as Appendix 2 and details of the current Town Board membership were attached as Appendix 3 within the report.

Cabinet was advised that the Plan for Neighbourhoods was the latest funding initiative made available to Boston Borough Council by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The programme would provide £20 million over a ten-year period from 2026 to support regeneration and infrastructure improvements in the borough. In order to access this funding, the Council was required to undertake extensive consultation and develop a comprehensive regeneration plan aligned with government criteria.

The report outlined the availability of interim capacity funding to support the consultation and plan development process. Cabinet was informed that the funding would enable the Council to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, including the Town Board, to shape a programme of interventions and projects. The themes set out by government and the Neighbourhood Board were referenced in the report.

Cabinet was asked to approve five recommendations relating to the acceptance and use of the capacity funding. These included delegating authority to the Director of Economic Development to manage the funding in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and, where necessary, the Director of Finance and the Town Board. The funding would support the development of both a ten-year regeneration plan and a four-year investment plan, which were required to be submitted to government by 28^th November 2025.

During discussion, Cabinet welcomed the report and the opportunity to build on the success of previous funding programmes such as the Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund. It was noted that while the funding must be spent within the built-up area of Boston town, the consultation process would be open to all residents across the borough. Members encouraged participation from parish areas and emphasised that the town belonged to everyone.

Cabinet also highlighted the importance of community engagement, noting that consultation was a recurring theme throughout the report. The role of the Town Board as a consultative body comprising local businesses, organisations and community representatives was acknowledged as a key strength in ensuring the plan reflected local priorities.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Mike Gilbert and seconded by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh.

Resolved:

1.    That all revenue capacity funding provided by Central Government be accepted and released in order to support the development of a new ten year regeneration plan for Boston;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development to agree and expend all capacity funding provided by Central Government, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and a steer from the Town Board;

3.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development to approve and enter all of the necessary contractual arrangements to progress the submission of a ten-year Regeneration Plan and four year investment plan for Boston in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and a steer from the Town Board;

4.    That authority be delegated to the interim Director of Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and the Director of Economic Development, to draw down up to £170,000 from the Economic Growth Reserve in order to meet proposed spend for 25/26 outlined in section 3.3 within the report; and

5.    That authority be delegated to the interim Director of Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and the Director of Economic Development to draw down additional sums from the balance sheet account up to £52,000.