Decision details

The Corporate Director Communities submitted a report asking the Resources Portfolio Holder and the Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder to approve the implementation of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), including delivery of the rural business grant programme and the aware of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for the commission of business support services for the borough.

Decisions

The Resources Portfolio Holder and the Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder:

·         Agreed that the council accept the REPF allocation of £400,000 from HM Government and make the funds available for agreed activities in accordance with the approved REPF addendum to the UKSPF Investment Plan (subject to change), as set out at Appendix 1.

·         Agreed that the capital programme be updated to reflect the REPF spend profile, which is split over two financial years as follows: 2023/24 £100,000 and 2024/25 £300,000.

·         Agreed that the council be responsible for the administration and management of the REPF, the assessment and determination of the allocations and the payment of grants. The S.151 Officer will oversee the fund, making sure that plans are deliverable and taking responsibility, within the delegated delivery model, for their effective delivery. The S.151 Officer must also approve all changes and use of the REPF in line with the overall grant conditions.

·         Agreed that approval be given to authorise the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the S.151 Officer, to approve grants to external bodies in line with REPF, UKSPF, Cabinet Office guidance and in accordance with the council’s Financial Regulations, Financial Procedure Rules and Procurement Regulations up to a value of £100,000 and to enter into suitable Grant Funding Agreements.

·         Agreed in accordance with 3.4, that approval is given to commission Lancashire County Council (LCC) to deliver a rural business grant programme, to the value of £148,000 which comprises £140,000 capital spend from the REPF (£30,000 in 2023/24 and £110,000 in 2024/25) and £8,000 of revenue spend which has been allocated from the UKSPF.

·         Agreed in accordance with 3.4, that approval is given to commission Boost Lancashire, who are supported by LCC and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), to act as the delivery body for management of the UKSPF programme for Business Support Services for the borough. The cost of £200,000 will be met by the UKSPF and spread over two financial years, commencing with £100,000 in 2023/24 followed by £100,000 in 2024/25.

·         Agreed That approval is given by the Resources Portfolio Holder to allow the procurement of services in 3.5 and 3.6 under exemptions to contract procedures, contained within the Financial Regulations and Finance Procedure Rules on the grounds that “the goods, works and services are of a specialised nature carried out by only one or a limited number of firms with no reasonably satisfactory alternatives”.

·         Agreed that the Resources Portfolio Holder delegates authority to the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the S.151 Officer, to allow for the appointment of consultants under the exemption to Contract Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules, on the grounds that if a framework agreement is available that necessitates the council not having to go out to tender and where the goods, works and services will still provide the council with best value for money.

·         Agreed that the REPF addendum is subject to change as project viability is continually reassessed, and the Resources Portfolio Holder agrees to delegate authority to the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the S.151 Officer, to amend the addendum provided the changes are in line with the REPF and UKSPF requirements.