Agenda item

Members heard from the Director of Planning, Regeneration & Communities, with a report seeking to set out the funding available for the Pride in Place programme and secure approval for the expenditure of the first tranche of revenue investment and how the programme would be managed. She explained that further to the announcement of the Pride in Place funding allocation for Gainsborough West, more detailed guidance was issued by the government in December 2025. An early capacity payment of £150,000 had been received, with the purpose of the funding being to support the establishment of a Neighbourhood Board, including the recruitment of a Chairperson, commencement of meaningful local community engagement, and beginning work to move forward with the requirement to prepare a 10 year vision and four year investment plan.

It was also explained that the report presented an initial Business Case for the programme which supported the resourcing requirements, and set in place the thinking around how the council would manage the requirements of the programme in its role as accountable body. Further detail on future tranches of funding was also included, with early thinking around next steps and future decisions for the council.

Members expressed their widespread support for what was considered to be an exciting opportunity, not just for the town of Gainsborough, but also for the district, in bringing increased investment and opportunity into the area. In response to questions regarding the involvement of the Council in the establishment of the Neighbourhood Board, it was explained that there would be Councillor membership on the Board, and there would be early oversight through feedback and details shared via reports through the Council’s committee structure. It was also highlighted that the involvement of local Councillors would be crucial when considering the level of community involvement and ensuring a sense of ownership within the community.

With regard to the appointment of a Chairperson, it was explained that the government had provided a job description, against which any Expressions of Interest would be tested. The membership of the Board would also need to comply with the usual expectation of declaring interests and ensuring no conflicts arose. It was highlighted that the Monitoring Officer and the S151 Officer would be involved with ensuring due diligence was undertaken. Additionally, it was highlighted that membership of the Board needed to include a Police representative, as well as local Councillors, meaning there would be cross-organisation involvement.

Further discussion ensued with Members enquiring as to the boundary of the area covered, options for changing the boundary, and how that would impact the local communities. It was explained that, as an example, if a school was served by the area but not within the boundary, the school could be involved with the work but monies had to be spent within the designated area.

With regard to the financial details, it was explained that funds could be saved or borrowed against, in order to fund larger projects, however the investment plan would be used to guide that.

The Chairman thanked Members for their comments, and acknowledged the work undertaken by Officers, thanking them for the work which had already gone into the project.

Having been proposed and seconded, the Chairman took the vote and it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    the expenditure of the initial £150,000 of revenue funding be approved to support the establishment of the Pride in Place Programme and the required workstreams as set out in the table at paragraph 3.3. Income and expenditure budgets to be created to reflect the grant being received and spend activity; and

b)    the draft Business Case at appendix 1 which set out the proposed Project Management Office arrangements to be established to support the council’s role as accountable body, be approved.

Note:              Councillor J. McGhee left the Chamber at 7.55pm