Decision

To award £250,000 in Levelling Up
Partnership funds to the Boston Methodist Circuit Charity for the
purpose of capital renovations to the Boston Centenary
Chapel.

In line with the Levelling Up Partnership Scheme’s Investment
Plan agreed with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government, an allocation of £250,000 was approved for this
purpose within the District’s Investment Plan. This decision
is for the decision to formally enter into contract for these funds
and to deliver the Scheme in Financial Year 2025-6.

Reasons for the decision

To award funds to the above recipient in line
with the agreed Investment Plan for the Community Organisations
package within the Boston Levelling Up Partnership
Programme

Alternative options considered

Do nothing – Doing nothing would risk
the Council not meeting commitments made under the Levelling Up
Partnership Scheme Investment Plan, resulting in the realisation of
an underspend on the Programme. The resultant underspend may have
to be returned to Central Government, resulting in a loss in
investment in Boston. This would pose both a reputational risk to
the Council and would be a ‘missed opportunity’ in
terms of local growth/economic impact.

Similarly, this would result in a missed opportunity to make a
significant investment in one of the town’s key Grade II*
listed heritage assets and a centre involved in the provision of
multiple voluntary support services for residents (including
support for the homeless a community warm space). The
‘opportunity cost’ of not undertaking this investment
is therefore significant.