Purpose

FWD is a partnership project between the
University of Bath, Bath Spa University and Bath College (the
Partners); with the West of England Combined Authority (the
Combined Authority) and Bath and North East Somerset Council
(B&NES) acting as strategic partners.

On 23rd January 2023, the Combined Authority awarded the FWD
project £1,360,544 from the Investment Fund, to fund the
delivery of Phase 0, as set out in the Phase 0 Implementation Plan.
Although B&NES were the Grant Recipient for this bid, Phase 0
activities will be delivered by the Partners, with B&NES
retaining approximately £296,902 to fund contingency, the
B&NES POD, project facilitation and management costs.

It is necessary to enter a Flow Down Agreement with the Partners,
to flow-down the obligations and funding requirements placed on
B&NES through the Grant Offer Letter to the Partners. The Flow
Down Agreement reflects the terms of the Grant Offer Letter dated
23rd January 2023. The Flow Down Agreement sets out the
responsibilities and associated budget allocated to each Partner,
as well as provision for this to be amended via agreement.

The Flow Down Agreement solely governs the onward distribution of
grant monies from the Council to the Partners and does not specify
governance arrangements or control collaboration between the
Partners. The governance and collaboration arrangements between the
Partners are controlled by a range of project groups and project
boards, each of which is subject to terms of reference.

The Flow Down Agreement will involve no additional risk,
responsibility, or financial impact for the Council.

Decision

To approve entering into a Flow Down Agreement
with the FWD Partners: Bath College, Bath Spa University and
University of Bath.