Minutes 29 April 2024 - Special Meeting

1.

INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

Brian was introduced as the new Chair of the Board / Board Member L and he then provided an overview of his background.

Introductions made and apologies noted as above.

2.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

None were declared.

3.

TIMEFRAME FOR INVESTMENT PLAN SUBMISSION

Georgina introduced herself and reminded the Board as to where we are and how we had got here – announcement of £5million cultural funding with deadline of 10^th May for submitting investment plan.  An extension has been given now to the 3^rd June 2025.  Guidance is currently quite light.

Brian asked how precise it is that we have to deliver bricks and mortar assets options over digital / other types of cultural support.  Ruth said it is capital monies to be spent within a tight timeframe, so the agenda papers show the type of things that could be done to meet requirements.

4.

DLUHC GUIDANCE / THE ROLE OF THE LEVELLING UP PLACES SERVICE

Jonathan said the latest guidance was that a levelling up service would be provided to give advice from Government Arms Length Bodies (inc Arts Council England and Historic England). Jonathan said he and other officers had meet with them and a Levelling up officer sharing the proposed items.  Initial feedback was that the range of ideas was that these were plausible once backed up with more details, consultations and financial information. 

Brian said we need to be mindful/avoid tokenism especially when compared to other needs of the town.  We need something that is used. 

Jonathan said the key criteria is value for money, deliverability (spent/delivered March 2026) and good quality stakeholder involvement alongside the MP’s support.  This is to bring confidence to LA that ideas are supported.

Jane said it is clear that this needs to be delivered with capital funding with no ongoing revenue spend.  So need to explain that during consultation.   Jonathan said ideas split into what is immediately deliverable with steer of where work might need to be done/where it could be picked up by an operator ie proposals at Palace Theatre taken on by Rubicon within existing budgets.

5.

PROJECT GOVERNANCE / DECISION MAKING

Ruth said timeframes have prevented taking governance to Members yet; but will be put on a future agenda of the Towns Deal Board.  Hence proposal will be drawn up and discussed with Councillors/Council and brought back to this Board.

6.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT INCLUDING WITH MP

Georgina said the stakeholders will be engaged from next week onwards and that process will be confirmed to the Towns Board.  All comms from Government is that stakeholder support is key, so strong consultation process is important and aim is to set up consultation engagement w/c 6^th May.  List of consultees should include  senior WCC support, parish councils, delivery partners ie Rubicon (as arms length delivery body for culture).   Also need to ascertain any oppositions so views can be taken on board and addressed.  Support from the MP is crucial and Josh was thanked for attending today.   There might be a requirement for meeting with Government minister.  This group in in itself is fairly representative of those organisations/people that need to be consulted so just need to check if any gaps.   Penny said Cllr Geraghty normally represents WCC but had to tend his apologies today but would help be the link for consultation within WCC.   Jonathan said there is existing consultation/engagement evidence that has been endorsed by LA so it should be helpful= to link that to this showing the evidence – we have that ready for such processes.

7.

COUNCIL APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT PLAN

Jonathan referred to the document sent out with the agenda papers that provides a long list.  Jonathan shared the next steps (as attached).  This has been widely shared and to date main concerns are about deliverability, value for money and strong consultation engagement and MP support.  Brian said the creativity is noteworthy but sought face to face on this as to how the plan could be shaped to bring it forward for deliverability.  There is a needs to develop the story as to history/what brought people to this town over the generations. Jonathan agreed and said there are great opportunities to tell this vibrant story.

David said as the largest organisation they know history from 1930s /Batchley/HDA that could support this.

GH/JC/BD

8.

NEXT MEETING

Jonathan to advice of future date following consultation.

Next normal Towns Deal Board on 30^th May.

JC/GH