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; and

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.

The leader of the council introduced the report and summarised the key projects included in the submitted Levelling Up Fund bid. Confirmation of the allocation to the council was expected in the next three weeks. Given the need to progress quickly with the projects in order to comply with the conditions of the funding, the report proposed delegated authority to officers so that work could commence as soon as confirmation was received.

Group leaders gave the views and queries of their groups and there was general support for the projects. In response to queries it was noted that:

·       Outline planning approval was already in place for the industrial land at Ross on Wye;

·       There was no impediment to contracts being signed during the pre-election period, normal business of the council would continue;

·       Local MPs had been involved in and supported the bids;

·       Economic delivery plans were in place for the market towns which had helped in putting forward bids, an economic plan for the whole county would be coming to Cabinet soon which would provide a framework for wider investment;

·       If the funding was not received, the council would seek other funding opportunities.

It was resolved 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; and

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.