Purpose

To provide members with an update on key
regeneration projects and seek approvals that will support ongoing
delivery.

Content

RESOLVED
that:-
 
In
relation to NCC as the Accountable Body for the MHCLG funding
(Levelling Up Fund (LUF)/Capital Regeneration Project (CRP)) for
Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants:  
 
1.    
OBC Approval and Delegated Authority for Business
Case Approval – Cabinet approves the Outline Business Case
for the Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants project and delegates
authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to
approve the Full Business Case, in accordance with the Economic
Development & Growth Local Assurance Framework. This follows
consideration and recommendation by the Regeneration Programme
Board. Any subsequent capital implications will be reported to
Cabinet via the Capital Strategy Group for inclusion in the Capital
Programme.
 
2.    
Funding Approval – Cabinet approves an
amendment to the Capital Programme by reallocating £400,000
in 2025-26 and £1,100,000 in 2027-28 from the Strategic
Regeneration Projects budget to the Ashington Town Centre Renewal
of Strategic Sites Programme budget. This funding will support the
construction of projects in the Programme as set out in Table 1D
and as previously agreed by Cabinet on 16 January 2024.
 
3.    
Grant Funding Agreement Authority – Cabinet
delegates authority to the Executive Director of Transformation and
Resources to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement between
Northumberland County Council acting as the Accountable Body and
Advance Northumberland Commercial Ltd as the funding recipient.
This is subject to a full appraisal including consideration of
subsidy control compliance.
 
4.    
Loan Agreement Authority – Cabinet delegates
authority to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources
in collaboration with the Executive Director of Place and
Regeneration, to determine the loan value and process the
application submitted by Advance Northumberland (Commercial) Ltd.
This must be in compliance with subsidy control. 
 
In
relation to NCC as the Accountable Body for the MHCLG funding
(Levelling Up Fund (LUF)/Capital Regeneration Project (CRP)) and
North East Combined Authority funding for the redevelopment of
Wansbeck Square: 
 
5.    
Wansbeck Square Redevelopment - Cabinet notes the
progress made on the redevelopment of Wansbeck Square and the
phased approach to regeneration.
 
6.    
Funding Approval – Cabinet authorises the
Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to enter into
contracts up to the value of £2.429m, an increase of
£829k from the Cabinet approval in June 2023, within the
funding package, to support the progression of Phase 1 and 2 works.
The funding will contribute to site development, further design
work and targeted acquisitions. The awarding of new contracts and
property acquisitions required for this development work will be
subject to approval via Delegated Decision Reports, as set out in
Part 10 of the Finance and Contract Rules, S4.4 Financial Approval
Limits, subject to confirmation of funding and adherence to
procurement procedures.
 
In
relation to the Ashington Town Centre Highway Infrastructure
project 
 
7.    
Cabinet agrees the establishment of the Ashington
Town Centre Highways Infrastructure project and approves the
associated financial profile as set out at 5.87 to be funded from
NCC capital.