Purpose

See attached ODR for details

Decision

In line with the Cabinet decision taken in July 2024 and in accordance with the approved delegation described in Box 3 of said report, for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with the Mayor, to:

Note and accept the conditions specified within the Pride in Place Memorandum of Understanding issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Note the approved Doncaster City Centre Pride in Place Investment Plan for the first investment period, 2026/27 to 2029/30.

Authorise the signing of the Pride in Place Memorandum of Understanding by the Chief Financial Officer.

Accept the programme funding arrangements associated with the approved Doncaster City Centre Pride in Place Investment Plan.

Authorise City of Doncaster Council, as accountable body, to receive, hold, manage, monitor and report on Pride in Place funding in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, annual Grant Determination Letters, the approved Investment Plan and the Council’s financial, legal, procurement and governance requirements.

Accept the allocations (detailed on the table in BOX 2 on the attached ODR, due to be received via Section 50 Grant, in line with the first investment period funding profile.

The Memorandum of Understanding provides the framework through which this approved Investment Plan will be funded, managed, monitored and assured. Annual grant allocations, including the capital and revenue split, will be confirmed through Grant Determination Letters issued by MHCLG.

This decision does not approve individual project expenditure or add individual capital schemes to the Council’s capital programme. Those approvals will continue to be progressed through the Council’s normal financial, procurement, legal and governance arrangements, and through the City Centre Board decision-making arrangements required by the Pride in Place programme.

Alternative options considered

Do not enter into the Memorandum of Understanding
This option has been rejected because it would significantly delay or prevent delivery of the approved programme and the associated regeneration, placemaking, safety, community cohesion and city centre improvement outcomes. It would also undermine the role of City Centre Board in progressing the Investment Plan approved by MHCLG.

Delay acceptance of the Memorandum of Understanding pending further project development
This option has been rejected because the Memorandum of Understanding establishes the overall programme and funding framework. It does not approve every individual project or
expenditure commitment. Detailed project development, business cases, procurement arrangements, grant approvals, legal review, financial approval and capital programme decisions will continue to be progressed through the Council’s normal governance processes and through the City Centre Board arrangements.

Delaying acceptance of the Memorandum of Understanding would unnecessarily delay programme mobilisation, annual grant arrangements, monitoring arrangements and the release of funding. It would also reduce the Council’s ability to progress the Year 1 programme and develop the pipeline of future interventions required to deliver the approved Investment Plan.