Council and councillors

Report No: 152/2020

(Key decision)

Cabinet noted that an application had been submitted for £563,000 from the Garden Communities Capacity Funding programme for 2020/201. Should the funding bid prove successful Cabinet approval woulld be sought to accept any grant offer.

Cabinet approved acceptance of the offer of a grant of £132,100, and the standard terms and conditions specified, from the Culture Recovery Fund administered by Arts Council England to support the Council’s heritage services

The Bids for Garden Village Capacity and Culture Recovery Funds report was a joint report of Councillor G Brown and Councillor Stephenson crossing both of their portfolios.

Councillor G Brown as the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Finance explained that applications for a Garden Village had been submitted as part of the housing delivery programme. It was explained that there would be a mixture of homes, some of which would be affordable with job opportunities and community infrastructure. On the 24^th July 2020 Homes England announced additional funding for garden cities and a bid had been submitted for £560,000 which would be assessed by Homes England. It was noted that Cabinet would have the opportunity to review future bids.

Councillor Stephenson as the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, Environment, Highways, Transportation & Road Safety explained that Cabinet were being asked to approve the acceptance of a grant offer from Arts Council England. She explained that Covid had significantly impacted on both the Museum and the Castle having had to close and the grant would support lost revenue. The grant would also assist future plans to support work on sustainable operation for future years with approximately 40-50% of the grant being spent on that. Councillor Stephenson explained that within the report were a number conditions and a commitment to promoting equality and diversity and noted the environmental commitment to zero carbon by 2050.

The Leader and Deputy Leaders expressed their thanks to the Director of Places for her hard work in achieving the grant.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that an application had been submitted for £563,000 from the Garden Communities Capacity Funding programme for 2020/201. Should the funding bid prove successful Cabinet approval would be sought to accept any grant offer.

That the acceptance of the offer of a grant of £132,100, and the standard terms and conditions specified, from the Culture Recovery Fund administered by Arts Council England to support the Council’s heritage services, be approved.