To seek Executive approval of the Market Town Regeneration Fund Programme. 

1.      That the progress on the Market Town Regeneration Fund (MTRF) programme and MTRF Assessment Panel recommendations be noted.

2.      That funding agreements be entered into with eight Town Councils (Ampthill, Dunstable, Flitwick, Houghton Regis, Leighton Linslade, Potton, Sandy and Shefford), to enable the MTRF scheme to commence and projects to begin delivery.

3.      That a new £1M High Street Improvement Scheme be developed by Central Bedfordshire Council as part of the MTRF programme and delivered by the Town Councils.

4.      To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Members for Regeneration and Corporate Resources, to make decisions on individual awards under the High Street Improvement Scheme.

5.      To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Members for Regeneration and Corporate Resources, to re-allocate funding within the MTRF to effectively manage programme spend.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Members for Corporate Resources and Regeneration that sought approval for the Market Town Regeneration Fund (MTRF) programme.

A total of 11 bids had been received from the Town Councils and assessed by the MTRF Assessment Panel and an independent external assessor.  The Panel recommended that eight of the bids be supported and that £1M be set aside for a High Street Improvement Scheme.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Regeneration confirmed that the High Street Improvement Scheme would be pursued as quickly as possible. Shops and landlords in Market Towns would be able to apply for funding through participating Town Councils, although they would be required to provide 40% match funding up front, with the remaining 60% coming from the High Street Improvement Scheme.  The Council would also be looking into enforcement action, where necessary, to help improve high streets. 

Reason for decision:  The Executive was required to approve the MTRF High Street Improvement Scheme and enter into funding agreements with the Town Councils due to the value of the MTRF.

RESOLVED

1.      that the progress on the Market Town Regeneration Fund (MTRF) programme and MTRF Assessment Panel recommendations be noted;

2.      that funding agreements be entered into with eight Town Councils (Ampthill, Dunstable, Flitwick, Houghton Regis, Leighton Linslade, Potton, Sandy and Shefford), to enable the MTRF scheme to commence and projects to begin delivery;

3.      that a new £1M High Street Improvement Scheme be developed by Central Bedfordshire Council as part of the MTRF programme and delivered by the Town Councils;

4.      to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Members for Regeneration and Corporate Resources, to make decisions on individual awards under the High Street Improvement Scheme; and

5.      to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Members for Regeneration and Corporate Resources, to re-allocate funding within the MTRF to effectively manage programme spend.