Agenda item

Sea Change Funding - Winter Gardens

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Mace)

 

Report of Corporate Director (Regeneration).

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Mace)

 

(It was noted that Councillor Archer had previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item in view of her involvement with the Winter Gardens, Morecambe. Councillor Archer left the meeting prior to consideration of this item.)

 

The Corporate Director (Regeneration) submitted a report requesting Cabinet’s agreement to support the submission of a funding application based around the Winter Gardens restoration, under the new national grant scheme to support regeneration projects in seaside towns, Sea Change.

 

The options and options analysis, including risk assessment were set out in the report as follows:

 

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risk and Mitigation

Option 1

 

Proceed with the submission of a Sea Change application based on the Winter Gardens restoration

·     Potentially secures a major injection of external funding and the restoration of a key landmark building in Morecambe

·     Allows for progress on a key element of the Vision and council priority.

 

 

This is the preferred option.

·     Accountable body status confers risk and responsibility on the Council.

·     Significant officer time required to assist the Trust with capacity building and ensure that the Council’s position as accountable body is protected

Reputational risk to the Council if the Trust withdraw or the project fails

Further officer support can be given to assist the Trust in identifying the areas where it may need to improve its capacity, and funding is available within the £300,000 grant from NWDA to support the Trust with this activity.

Option 2

 

Develop an alternative Sea Change application and submit for Round 3

·     A project delivered directly by the Council (eg public realm) would carry lower risk

·    Less likely to be seen by CABE as transformational and therefore less likely to be successful

·    There is likely to be greater competition for funds under Round 3

·    Unlikely to be supported by NWDA who wish to see other NW resorts supported in Round 3

·    Leaves the Winter Gardens with uncertainty about future funding and could set back the restoration project by several years

 

Option 3

 

Do not submit a Sea Change bid

·     No risk

·    Misses an important opportunity to secure significant funds for Morecambe’s regeneration

·    Sends a negative message to external funders and local stakeholders

 

 

 

 

The officer preferred option is option 1, to proceed with submission of a Sea Change application based on the Winter Gardens restoration. However, it will be essential that the Council is satisfied that the Winter Gardens Trust has sufficient capacity to deliver the project effectively before the Council formally commits itself to the project (if the Sea Change bid is successful). This can be assessed as part of the formal project appraisal and appropriate recommendations made back to Cabinet for approval.

 

It was moved by Councillor Mace and seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

 

“That the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.”

 

Members then voted as follows:

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)        That Cabinet endorses the submission of a Sea Change bid based on the Winter Gardens Restoration

 

(2)        That a further report is brought to report on the implications for the Council in acting as Accountable Body for this project, and to agree any requirements that may need to be specified to Winter Gardens Trust to protect the Council’s position, following a full project appraisal.

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Corporate Director (Regeneration)

Head of Economic Development and Tourism

 

Reason for making the decision:

 

The decision to endorse the submission of a Sea Change bid will potentially secure a major injection of external funding and the restoration of a key landmark building in Morecambe. It also allows for progress on a key element of the Vision and council priority. However, Cabinet notes it will be essential that the Council is satisfied that the Winter Gardens Trust has sufficient capacity to deliver the project effectively before the Council formally commits itself to the project (if the Sea Change bid is successful). This can be assessed as part of the formal project appraisal and appropriate recommendations made back to Cabinet for approval.

 

(Councillor Archer returned to the meeting).

Supporting documents: