Agenda item

The subject of the decision

The Programme Director - Workington submitted a report which sought member’s consideration of the Business Cases relating to the five projects included within the Workington Town Deal.

Following approval of the business cases it was necessary to submit a Project Summary Document for each project to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The deadline for the submission of Project Summary Documents was the 24 March 2022.

Councillor M Johnson moved recommendation 1 as per the report; this was seconded by Councillor M Fitzgerald. The motion was unanimously agreed.

Councillor M Johnson moved recommendation 2 as per the report; this was seconded by Councillor T Markley. The motion was unanimously agreed.

Councillor M Johnson moved recommendation 3 as per the report; this was seconded by Councillor A Pitcher. The motion was unanimously agreed.

Councillor M Johnson moved recommendation 4 as per the report; this was seconded by Councillor M Fitzgerald. The motion was unanimously agreed.

Councillor M Johnson moved recommendation 5 as per the report; this was seconded by Councillor T Markley. The motion was unanimously agreed.

A typographical error was highlighted on Recommendation 9 of the report, which should have read ‘… for the granting of new leases for Borough Park and Lonsdale Park’.

Councillor M Johnson moved recommendations 6 to 10 as per the report; this was seconded by Councillor M Fitzgerald. The motion was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

As detailed within the report.

The reason for the decision

As set out in the Head of Terms for the Town Deal it was necessary for the Council, as lead Council and accountable body for the Town Deal to consider green book compliant business cases for each of the projects which should be appraised in line with the Council’s own assurance processes.

The decision

Resolved

That: -

1.  The Business Case for the Workington Digital Accelerator be approved subject to the completion of a grant funding agreement;

2.  The Business Case for the Workington Townscape and Connectivity project be approved subject to the completion of a grant funding agreement;

3.  The Business Case for the Port of Workington and Oldside – Logistics and Clean Energy Hub be approved subject to the completion of a grant funding agreement;

4.  The Business Case for the Workington Innovation Centre be approved in principle and that further project development work be undertaken prior to the award of contracts for the construction and management of the centre;

5.  The Business Case for the Community Sports Village be approved in principle subject to the key conditions set out in paragraph 9.35 of the report and that further project development work be undertaken prior to entering a grant funding agreement and within a timescale to be determined. The approval of an advance funding award to be delegated to the Programme Director in consultation with the S151 Officer;

6.  The Chief Executive Officer be authorised to approve the submission of Business Case Summaries for each of the projects in conjunction with the Chair of the Town Deal Board;

7.  The Programme Director be authorised to finalise negotiations with grant recipients and complete the grant funding agreements in consultation with the Monitoring Offer and S151 Officer;

8.  The Chief Officer (Finance and Assets) be authorised to make the necessary arrangements in relation to the closure of that part of the Central Car Park required for the delivery of the Workington Innovation Centre;

9.  The Chief Officer (Finance and Assets) be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the granting of new leases for Borough Park and Lonsdale Park to facilitate the development of the community sports village;

10.The Programme Director be authorised to progress appropriate procurement arrangements in relation to the Innovation Centre and Oldside.