Decision

Decision to undertake separate awards to successful applicants under the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund. Specifically including allocations of funding to the following projects:
Blackfriars Arts Centre Limited - Cheers Building (£75,000.00) - Blackfriars Arts Centre has recently taken over the former 'Cheers' building on Spain Lane (1 Spain Lane / 20–22 South Street, Boston, PE21 6HT) with the intention of creating a highly visible cultural hub and temporary museum space. The project will undertake limited internal and external refurbishment works to make the vacant building safe, accessible and suitable for public use. The scheme will bring a prominent vacant heritage asset back into use, provide additional arts and heritage space, support future Boston 2030 celebrations and act as the first phase of a wider ambition to connect the building to Blackfriars Theatre through a larger heritage-led regeneration project.
Boston Town FC - New 3G Pitch – (£75,000.00) - The project will replace the existing natural grass pitch at Boston Town Football Club with a full-size FA-standard 3G artificial pitch. The works will involve removal of the existing playing surface and installation of a modern synthetic pitch by a specialist contractor. The applicant intends the facility to be used by the football club, schools, community organisations, charities and wider community groups, creating additional opportunities for sports participation throughout the year.
Boston Woods Trust - Westgate Wood Car Park – (£37,125.00) – The project will deliver a new all-weather car and cycle parking facility to serve Joan's Wood "Forest of the Future", a 23-acre site adjoining Westgate Wood and extending the Sir Joseph Banks Country Park. The woodland is planned to demonstrate tree species that are expected to thrive under changing climate conditions whilst providing accessible green space for recreation, health and wellbeing. The new car park is required to support growing visitor numbers, provide safe access and accommodate future users of the woodland extension. The project forms part of the wider creation of a new climate-resilient woodland and community asset.
Benington Parish Council - New play area fencing – (£13,671.00) - The project will install safety fencing and gates around the existing children's play area on Benington Playing Field. The play equipment was installed approximately 15 years ago and is regularly used and maintained by the Parish Council. The play area currently has no fencing to prevent young children from leaving the site or to prevent dogs entering the area. The project aims to improve safety and security by creating a fully enclosed play environment.
RSPB Explorers Boston - RSPB Explorers Basecamp, Freiston Shore – (£6,081.00) - Refurbishment of the Wildlife Explorers basecamp at Freiston Shore Nature Reserve, including new storage facilities, pond restoration, landscaping, wildflower planting and accessible outdoor seating. The project will improve facilities for wildlife education, volunteering and community engagement whilst enhancing biodiversity and accessibility
It must be noted: N/A

Reasons for the decision

n line with the objectives of the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund, this decision supports our commitment to delivering visible, lasting improvements that strengthen local communities and enhance pride in place across Boston Borough. The Fund has been established to support projects that create high-quality, practical improvements to local places and community assets, enabling residents to take greater pride in where they live.
The Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund focuses on three key priority areas:
• Community Facilities – Supporting improvements to community centres, village halls, sports and recreational facilities, and initiatives that strengthen community infrastructure and encourage wider community use.
• Green Spaces – Enhancing parks, open spaces, natural environments and community green areas to improve accessibility, attractiveness, health, wellbeing and community engagement.
• High Streets and Public Areas – Investing in town centres, civic spaces and public realm improvements that create more welcoming, accessible and attractive places for residents and visitors.
Through these allocations, the Council is able to support projects that deliver tangible and long-term capital improvements, including facility enhancements, public realm upgrades, environmental improvements, and the provision of essential works. The applications have undergone a competitive assessment process, considering both value for money and the impact each project will deliver. We are therefore confident that the successful projects will provide measurable benefits to local communities, including improved facilities and amenities, increased use of community assets, enhanced accessibility, stronger community engagement, and a renewed sense of local pride. These outcomes would be unlikely to be realised without the support provided through the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund.

Alternative options considered

Boston Borough Council has determined that half of the funding allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund should be dedicated to a competitive grant scheme, with funding awarded following assessment of applications against the scheme's published criteria. The alternative option would be to not award the funding. This would result in a number of capital improvement projects not proceeding, reducing opportunities to enhance community facilities, improve green spaces, and invest in high streets and public areas across the borough. Failure to fund these projects would significantly reduce the overall impact of the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund and its objective of supporting stronger, more vibrant and inclusive communities through lasting investment in local infrastructure and public spaces. The recommended projects have demonstrated their ability to deliver measurable benefits and represent an effective use of the funding available.