Purpose

To seek the Cabinet Member’s approval to grant fund £0.350m for the period 2025-26 to support Visit Peak District and Derbyshire and delegates the approval of the Service Level Agreement.
 

Decision

That the Cabinet Member approves to propose £0.350m grant funding for the financial year 2025-26 to support delivery of services in VPDD, with £0.050m funded from the Economy and Regeneration revenue budget and the balance of £0.300m funded from East Midlands County Combined Authority monies in addition to delegating completion and approval of the Service Level Agreement with VPDD covering the financial year April 2025 to March 2026 to the Executive Director – Place, in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet Member.

Reasons for the decision

1)    The Visitor Economy is a significant sector within Derbyshire and there is an existing successful relationship with VPDD.

2)    Funding will help ensure the continued viability of VPDD and will sustain targeted support to the visitor economy within Derbyshire.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Do Nothing and not financially support VPDD. This option has been considered and rejected as the visitor economy is a significant sector within Derbyshire and VPDD, as the LVEP is a key delivery organisation responsible. In addition, the application to create an LVEP in Derbyshire advised that financial support would be forthcoming from the Council up to the end of March 2025-26. This option is not recommended.

Option 2: Do something different. This has been considered based on a lower funding offer, however, due to the changing funding landscape, this would result in a reduction in service delivered. This option is not recommended.