Agenda item

The Board was asked to consider progressing business cases for 4 investment proposals which would support the MCA’s aspirations.

The Manchester Road Community Hub and Placemaking schemes (Sheffield CC) were seeking progression from Strategic Business Case (SBC) to Full Business Case (FBC). The Community Hub would include a library, community spaces, educational areas and office space. The Placemaking scheme would upgrade local car parking, improve accessibility and revitalise the shop frontages as well as improve the perceptions of the Town.

The Goldthorpe Pre-1919 project (Barnsley MBC) was also requesting progression from SBC to FBC. This would demolish approximately 40 low quality properties and deliver 11 new build, low carbon, affordable homes for social rent.

Grimm & Co, a children’s literacy charity, had submitted an FBC for approval of £0.62m grant funding to contribute to the renovation of a church in Rotherham Town Centre. This funding would cover cost increases and allow the project to go ahead.

Barnsley Civic Eldon Street Capital Development had submitted an FBC for approval of £1.26m grant funding to redevelop the Civic building, attract more people to become involved in cultural activities and accelerate the renewal of Barnsley town centre.

Following late notice from Government that additional levelling up funds could be available for regeneration activity, the Board was asked to note that the MCA had identified ‘delivery ready’ projects which it was proposed to accelerate straight to the MCA Board on 6 March, including:

·       West Bar, Sheffield

·       Rotherham Libraries and Markets

·       Market Gate Bridge, Barnsley

·       Doncaster Waterfront.

If it was not possible to take these schemes to the SYMCA Board for approval, delegated authority would be sought to enable a timely decision to be taken, either through the Housing & Infrastructure Board in March or via Co-Chairs and Head of Paid Service.

In response to questions, it was clarified that these schemes were already well advanced and known to SYMCA, so in cases where Gainshare grant may have originally been earmarked for the projects then the use of this additional Government funding would free up Gainshare grant to be used on other activity. If projects were not ready to be approved in March then the approval process for each scheme would be looked at on a case by case basis.

RESOLVED that the Board approve:

1.   Progression of “Manchester Road Community Hub project and Manchester Road Placemaking” project from SBC to OBC/FBC (Outline/Full Business Case) for Sheffield City Council (SCC).

2.   Progression of “Goldthorpe Housing Project” from SBC to OBC/FBC for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC)

3.   Approval of £0.62m Gainshare grant award to Grimm & Co Ltd for the “Grimm & Co” project.

4.   Approval of £1.26m grant award to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) for the “Barnsley Civic” project.

5.   Consider and endorse the approach for projects detailed in 2.5 which may be ready to take up additional Government funding and are proposed to go directly to the MCA for a decision on funding on the 6th of March 2023.

6.   Approval for delegated authority to be granted to the Head of Paid service in consultation with the Section 73 Officer and the Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreement for the Barnsley Civic and Grimm & Co schemes above.

(The Executive Director of Infrastructure & Place left the meeting, which was no longer quorate and continued in an advisory capacity only.)