Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Healey introduced the report and explained that, announced at the Spending Review in 2020, the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) contributed to the United Kingdom (UK) Government levelling up agenda by investing in infrastructure that improved everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. 

The £4.8 billion fund was designed to realise a visible and tangible impact on people and place and support economic recovery.

The report provided an update on the development and submission of two bids in line with the bidding strategy agreed at Cabinet on 18^th January 2022 and on a third strategic transport bid.  The report also provided an update on the programme as a whole and requested an allocation of match funding from the capital programme of £1,106,915 (£630,467 Alyn and Deeside bid, £476,448 Delyn bid) in order to draw down the UK Government funding.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) said the report had been considered at the recent meeting of Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee where the recommendations were supported.  On the resubmission of the Transport Bid, he confirmed that the element which was not supported in the first round had been removed.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress in developing and submitting bids to round two of the UK Government Levelling Up Fund be noted;

(b)       That the risks and mitigations associated with the package of products be noted; and

(c)        That match funding of up to £1.107m is made available from the capital programme in 2024/2025.