Decision

Decision to approve and commit a total allocation of up to £204,500.00 from the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund for:
1. Staniland Car Park resurfacing and relining: up to £68,000.00, subject to procurement and the final cost remaining within the allocation.
2. Boston War Memorial slabbing refurbishment: £61,500.00 for like-for-like refurbishment.
3. Central Park Pathway Improvement Works: £75,000.00 match funding towards a project currently estimated at £200,000.00, subject to approval of a proposed £125,000.00 contribution from another funding stream.

Reasons for the decision

Cabinet approved the Pride in Place Impact Fund allocation for Boston to deliver quick, practical and visible improvements that support community pride, wellbeing and identity. The funding must be contractually committed by 31 March 2027. This decision enables three projects to progress in line with the Fund objectives of improving public spaces, supporting town centre revitalisation and enhancing valued community assets.
Staniland Car Park
The resurfacing and relining of Staniland Car Park will address the condition of the surface and improve the appearance and usability of the car park.
Boston War Memorial
The selected repairs will enable essential refurbishment of the paving and slabbing around Boston War Memorial while retaining the existing appearance of the memorial setting.
Central Park pathways
The contribution will support improvements to pathway condition, accessibility, safety and visitor experience, subject to the associated contribution from another funding stream.

Together, the projects will deliver visible and lasting improvements to public spaces, community assets and the town-centre environment, supporting the strategic priority to make Boston a place where people want to live, work and visit.

Alternative options considered

Consideration was given to not progressing the requested delivery actions, progressing a reduced scope of works, or using the unallocated programme funding for other eligible activity. These options were discounted as the actions strongly support the aims of the Boston Pride in Place Impact Fund and offer a practical opportunity to deliver visible improvements to public spaces, community assets and the town-centre environment.

A reduced scope of works would risk affecting the ability to address the identified issues within the required timescales, particularly where the Pride in Place Impact Fund allocation forms part of a wider funding package.
Identifying alternative eligible activity at this stage would create additional challenges in identifying, approving and delivering eligible spend within the remaining programme timescales.

Given the requirement to commit Pride in Place Impact Fund spend by 31 March 2027, the recommended delivery actions provide a practical route to committing funding within the programme deadline while supporting projects that will deliver long-term benefits for Boston.