This report seeks approval to accept this grant funding from government and approval for the funds to be spent on delivering the projects submitted to government. The council has been successful in securing £750,000 Towns Fund accelerated finance from government to deliver a programme of projects across Hereford City that will provide economic and environmental benefit. 

The cabinet member environment, economy and skills introduced the report. She noted that this grant funding needed to be spend by the end of March 2021 and that this would be progressed within the framework of the towns fund.

Cabinet members noted that:

•                  The funding for the Maylords centre was mostly to cover the refurbishment of the toilets which was welcomed as it would increase footfall in the centre;

•                  The inclusion of the cycle lane in St Owen’s Street was welcomed.

Group leaders welcomed the government funding and highlighted that:

•                  Investment in the Maylords centre should be used to maximise the return on the council’s investment;

•                  The inclusion of arts, culture and heritage as a theme was welcomed.

It was resolved that:

(a)                The £750,000 funding from government for the Towns Fund accelerated projects be accepted by the council;

(b)                The spending of the £750,000 funding from government on the Towns Fund accelerated projects as detailed within this report is approved; and

(c)                The Director of Economy and Place be authorised to take all operational decisions to implement recommendation (b) including, but not limited to, the procurement and commissioning of new projects, and, following consultation with the S151 officer, the movement of budgets between projects to ensure the full expenditure of funding.