Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval
to the ongoing commitment by the Council to continue to spend
funding approved from an existing committed resource to support the
High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) beyond the end date of the
programme as detailed in this report. 

Decision

The Executive Director (Regeneration and
Economic Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for
Regeneration and Economic Development approves:
 
i)        The retention
of previously allocated Council funding to projects identified
through the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), Prescot beyond
the programme close down date of 31 March 2024, as detailed in the
report;
 
ii)        The closure of
the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) Partnership Board to
align with the end of the programme; and
 
iii)       The authorisation of
the Head of Legal Services to prepare and complete the necessary
legal documentation.

Alternative options considered

To not progress with the investment of the
Council existing committed ‘Prescot Evening Economy’
funds would make it difficult to attract private sector / other
investment to bring back into use a number of key assets and
properties in Prescot Town Centre.  This
would also mean there would be less enhancement to the character
and appearance of Prescot Town Centre Conservation Area and the
heritage assets as detailed within the report. Accordingly, the
option of re-allocating the funding from Prescot and the detailed
projects been considered and discounted.