To accept and approve the expenditure of any Levelling Up Funding allocated to Herefordshire

Council’s northern and southern constituency, and Hereford transport bids submitted to government in August 2022. To approve the creation of a development company to lead the development of the proposed Ross Enterprise Park site as well as exploring the feasibility of the development of employment land in the other market towns.

That:

a) To accept and approve expenditure related any Levelling Up Funding offered by

government for a package of public realm improvements in Leominster and Ledbury

town centres and enhancements to the Leominster Old Priory building;

b) To accept and approve expenditure related any Levelling Up Funding offered by

government for the development of the site infrastructure and development plots for the Ross Enterprise Park;

c) To accept and approve expenditure related any Levelling Up Funding offered by

government for a package of transport and active travel measures in and around

Hereford city;

d) To delegate to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation

with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, the Cabinet Member for

Infrastructure and Highways, and the Section 151 Officer, all operational decisions in

implementing the funding in accordance with the bids to government;

e) Subject to government approval of the Levelling Up Funding, approve the creation of a new development company to lead the development of Ross Enterprise Park and the feasibility of developing employment land sites in the other market towns.

f) To delegate to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation

with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy and the Section 151 Officer, all operational decisions in relation to the creation of the proposed development company.

1. Alternative Option 1 – to not accept any Levelling Up Funding offered by government in response to the council’s northern and southern constituency bids and the Hereford transport proposals. Should the council choose not to accept any offered funding, we would be unable to deliver the proposed Ross Enterprise Park development, the proposed developments in Leominster and Ledbury, and the Hereford transport hub and active travel measures. The proposed projects were brought forward as priorities identified in the respective Market Town Investment Plans, and the transport review. The council would fail to deliver key projects in these plans if we do not secure the required grant support. This option is not recommended.