Agenda item

To seek approval that the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place & Economy) and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism, should sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Government for delivery of the Dovercourt Town Centre Improvement Corridor Capital Regeneration Project (Dovercourt CRP).

To also seek approval for the approach to delivering that Project, as well as the approach to delivering the Clacton Civic Quarter Levelling Up Fund (Clacton LUF).

To also provide Cabinet with an update on progress with these schemes.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)    noted the five projects for delivery across the Clacton Civic Quarter and Dovercourt Town Centre bids, as set out in the submissions to Government and confirms its endorsement to both schemes progressing within the context as set out;

b)    accepted the £6,652,251 awarded to the Council for delivery of the Dovercourt Town Centre Improvement Corridor, following a successful Capital Regeneration Project award from Government, and authorises the S151 Officer to sign the associated Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DHLUC);

c)    agreed the draw-down of £250,000 from the Council’s Levelling Up Fund Budget of £2.291m to support the early preparation phases for development of the scheme for Dovercourt;

d)    authorised the Corporate Director Place & Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism to agree any associated expenditure for both Dovercourt and Clacton schemes, within the context of this report;

e)    agreed to the proposed approach for delivering the projects, as set out in this report, working in close partnership with Essex County Council, as an integral partner, noting subject to further business case approvals by Essex County Council;

f)     delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism in consultation with the Corporate Director Place and Economy, Section 151 and Monitoring Officers to approve the Heads of Terms for the various agreements; and

g)    authorised the Corporate Director Place and Economy to approve the final terms and conditions of the agreements in consultation with the Section 151 and Monitoring Officers; and

h)    endorsed the Portfolio Holder forming a Cross Party Levelling Up Working Party  to receive project management updates at least four times a year on progress with the schemes, with particular attention to risk management for each individual project, budget and costings and delivery progress.

Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Leader of the Council & Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism Portfolio Holder.

It was reported that the Council's Corporate Plan 2020-24 was committed to developing vibrant town centres and public spaces, managing its own homes, and offering joined-up public services. In line with this commitment, the Council had published the 'Love Clacton' Plan in 2020 and 'Dovercourt Revisited' in 2019, which outlined proposals for town centre regeneration. In August 2022, the Council had submitted two applications to Round Two of the LUF (Levelling Up Fund). The first application had requested £19,958,224 for the Clacton Civic Quarter, and the second application sought £6,652,251 for Dovercourt Town Centre. Those projects aligned with the funding opportunities provided by the Love Clacton and Dovercourt Revisited proposals. Essex County Council (ECC) had collaborated with this Council in developing the bids, providing resources, owning land and buildings within some of the projects, and committing £8 million of matched funding.

Members were informed that the Clacton Civic Quarter bid aimed to create 28 new homes, offices, and shops along Carnarvon Road, as well as a covered market of 'maker spaces' to support local businesses. Additionally, the bid had included plans to redevelop the ECC library site into a new library and Adult Community Learning Centre, with the University of Essex establishing a Centre for Coastal Communities in Clacton. This Council had received notification from the Government on January 19 2023, stating that it  had been successful in securing the funding for the Clacton LUF. Cabinet approval  had been granted on March 17 2023, to accept the awarded amount of £19,960,000 and to authorize the signing of the associated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Council and the Government had subsequently signed the MOU, indicating an agreement to proceed with the project.

Members were also informed that regarding the Dovercourt CRP, the Council had initially received notice in January 2023 that its bid for the Dovercourt Town Centre Improvement Corridor  had been unsuccessful  under the Levelling Up Fund. However, on March 15 2023, the Government had announced that the bid  had been successful  under the ‘sister’ fund called 'Capital Regeneration Projects' (CRP). The funding for the Dovercourt CRP included investments in improving the appearance of Dovercourt Town Centre, refurbishing the library for Adult Community Learning, and constructing nine new social homes by demolishing an outdated multi-storey carpark. The Council had received an MOU for the Dovercourt CRP and  was required to sign and return it to the Government. The funding allocated for the Dovercourt CRP  needed to be spent by March 2026. The Council  was currently drafting Heads of Terms for agreements with Essex County Council to ensure compliance with the obligations stated in the MOUs with the Government.

For project delivery, the Council would programme manage the Clacton LUF and Dovercourt CRP schemes, reporting to the Regeneration Board and the LUF Delivery Programme Board, which included members from both this  Council and ECC. The Council planned to engage with Essex County Council for its support in delivery whilst maintaining appropriate oversight and control. Agreements with ECC  would be signed to deliver the projects where the Council owned the land and ran services, and grant agreements would be signed for projects where ECC owned the land and ran services.

It was reported to Cabinet that financial risk management and value engineering  had been considered during the design stage of the projects. The Council had reviewed funding and delivery schedules before signing agreements with contractors to mitigate financial risks. Lessons learned from similar projects, such as the Jaywick Starter Homes project and the Jaywick Sunspot project, had informed the Council's approach to delivering the LUF and CRP schemes.

Overall, the Council had actively worked towards the regeneration of Clacton and Dovercourt town centres, leveraging government funding and collaborating with Essex County Council to achieve the desired outcomes.

The Cabinet  was reminded that the Council was reliant on its partners, such as Essex County Council, for the successful delivery of both the Clacton and Harwich Schemes.

The Leader of the Council noted and appreciated the hard work of the previous Administration  in bringing these successful bids to the District.

It was moved by Councillor I Henderson, seconded by Councillor Bush and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)    notes the five projects for delivery across the Clacton Civic Quarter and Dovercourt Town Centre bids, as set out in the submissions to Government and confirms its endorsement to both schemes progressing within the context as set out;

b)    accepts the £6,652,251 awarded to the Council for delivery of the Dovercourt Town Centre Improvement Corridor, following a successful Capital Regeneration Project award from Government, and authorises the Section 151 Officer to sign the associated Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DHLUC);

c)    agrees the draw-down of £250,000 from the Council’s Levelling Up Fund Budget of £2.291m to support the early preparation phases for development of the scheme for Dovercourt;

d)    authorises the Corporate Director (Place & Economy), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, to agree any associated expenditure for both Dovercourt and Clacton schemes, within the context of this report;

e)    agrees to the proposed approach for delivering the projects, as set out in this report, working in close partnership with Essex County Council, as an integral partner, noting subject to further business case approvals by Essex County Council;

f)      authorises the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place and Economy) and the Section 151 and Monitoring Officers, to approve the Heads of Terms for the various agreements;

g)    authorises the Corporate Director (Place and Economy) to approve the final terms and conditions of the agreements in consultation with the Section 151 and Monitoring Officers; and

h)    endorses the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism in forming a cross party ‘Levelling Up’ Working Party  to receive project management updates at least four times a year on progress with the schemes, with particular attention to risk management for each individual project, budget and costings and delivery progress.