Agenda item

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) to obtain agreement for the City Council to bid for Coastal Communities Team (CCT) status for an area based around the central areas of Morecambe and Heysham, and to act as accountable body for funds in the event of a successful bid.  Members were also asked to support Morecambe Bay Partnership’s proposal for a Morecambe Bay CCT for the smaller settlements along the coastline.

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

The preferred option is Option 2: Agree to submit a bid for CCT status and act as accountable body.  The implications of declining to bid for CCT status are mainly around the potentially negative view of the area’s ability to engage with Government.  Progress with other CCTs has clearly made an impact on DCLG who see them as critical in providing support to build strong coastal economies.

Under Option 2 there is a danger of partnership fatigue in the area and potentially a range of overlapping policy plans.  Morecambe Town Team’s focus is still finishing off and winding up Portas Pilot funding (including their street art initiative which has been hampered by poor weather).  The Town Team has not expressed a formal view on whether or not they want to continue but it is clear they see the Morecambe Business Improvement District body as the substantive legacy body arising out of the Portas initiative.

Morecambe Town Council have also undertaken initial investigations into the development of a Neighbourhood Plan – although under the statutory definition this is meant to add value and complement the councils’ current approved planning policy framework (the Local Plan and Morecambe Area Action Plan - which covers much the same area and issues).  The West End Millions Partnership have also undertaken significant capacity building and prioritising in that area of Morecambe.  Heysham currently has a Neighbourhood Council that would be well placed to act as a partner within a CCT for Morecambe and Heysham.

In terms of the Council taking on the accountable body role for the CCT, the Council has significant experience in this area and given the initial funds involved, risks are very small.  That said, there will be the need to establish sound governance arrangements for the future operation of the Team, including decision-making and future-proofing to cater for any subsequent funding opportunities.

A CCT, with the right Terms of Reference, membership and sound overall governance, would create a productive partnership in terms of facing towards Government policy/funding. It would also sit well with and add value to Morecambe Bay destination branding/marketing activity, regeneration efforts in Central Morecambe and Heysham. 

A successful CCT application would formalise arrangements being discussed to take forward and assist strategic MAAP implementation and add value to the ambitions of Heysham’s local stakeholders.  It is also clear that, while not compulsory, having CCT status would be an advantage in future access to Government funding and ministerial attention. 

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Whitehead:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That approval be given to the City Council bidding for Coastal Communities Team status for central Morecambe and Heysham and to act as the accountable body for the £10K resources should the application be successful.

(2)             That the revenue budget be updated accordingly in the event that the application for Coastal Communities status is successful.

(3)             That the City Council formally supports Morecambe Bay Partnership’s proposal for a Morecambe Bay CCT for the smaller settlements along the coastline, subject to confirmation that relevant local partners in these areas support this approach.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council’s 2016-20 Corporate Plan which refers to the Council’s Vision for Morecambe and Heysham as ‘a confident community with a regenerated living, working and leisure environment, acting as a focal point on Morecambe Bay to enjoy and interact with the wider landscape.’  Regenerating Morecambe is a long-standing corporate priority, and contributes to the Council’s Health and Well-being and economic growth aspirations.