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Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet)
 
I Paul
Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise
of the powers contained within the City Council
Constitution do hereby
approve:
Acceptance of Nature Towns and Cities
grant for the Community Greenways Project.
The Reasons are:
Accepting the Community Greenways grant will enable us to
deliver a transformational network of safe, attractive green routes
that connect people, places, and nature. The project aligns with
national and local priorities on climate action, active travel, and
biodiversity, while tackling health inequalities and social
isolation. It will create long-term economic, environmental, and
community benefits through high-quality infrastructure, habitat
enhancement, and strong local partnerships. This investment
represents excellent value for money and will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Options considered and rejected were:

Alternative approaches were considered but rejected in favour of
the Community Greenways project. Doing nothing would forfeit
funding and fail to address climate, biodiversity, and health
priorities. Smaller-scale or single-site improvements, phased
delivery, and relying solely on council budgets were all discounted
as they would limit connectivity, accessibility, impact, or value
for money. Delivered in partnership with Manchester City Council
and the voluntary sector, the proposed project offers the most
effective, inclusive, and sustainable solution.
Assessment of Risk:
The
Community Greenways project carries moderate and manageable risks.
Financial risks are limited as the funding covers revenue costs
only, but careful budget monitoring will ensure resources are used
effectively. Delivery risks, including scheduling and coordination
with partners, will be managed through clear governance and regular
progress reviews. Strong partnerships with Manchester City Council
and the voluntary sector, alongside ongoing community engagement,
will ensure smooth delivery and long-term sustainability of the
project’s activities and benefits.
The source of funding is:
National Lottery heritage Fund
Legal Advice obtained:
Supplied By : The
Shared Legal Service (Tony Hatton)
Date:
25/07/2025
Legal shall be happy to
advise on the formal partnership agreement between the parties, and
on the National Lottery Heritage Fund Nature Towns and Cities
programme grant funding agreement for £999,476 if requested.
As described in the report the grant funding is made to both
Salford City Council and Manchester City Council, and Salford will
act as the lead authority and accountable body for the funding, and
the formal partnership agreement will set out governance, joint
delivery and oversight of the Community Greenways programme.
As always, it is
important that the Council complies with the terms of the grant
funding agreement (in particular
ensuring that the fund is only used for eligible expenditure
and any timescales around expenditure and reporting) are adhered
to, failing which the Council may be at risk of the National
Lottery seeking clawback of the funding for failure to comply.
The report refers to the
grant funding supporting eight new roles (four in each council) and
enabling a programme of commissioned micro-projects with specialist
partner organisations. Any commissioning of consultants or other
services should be compliant with public procurement legislation
and the Council’s own Contractual Standing Orders (CSOs),
failing which a contract may be subject to legal challenge from an
aggrieved provider.
As Salford City Council
is the accountable body for the funding, in terms of approvals, the
Constitution sets out that: 

“The following matters are reserved
for decision by the City Mayor:

 

5.  Agreeing to the Council becoming
the Accountable Body for any award of grant aid from an external
funder to the Council or to a third party where:- (i) the grant aid to be received by the Council is
anticipated to be £350,000k or over; or (ii) the grant aid to
be received by the third party is anticipated to be £350,000k
or over.”

 

The report confirms that the amount of
the grant is £966,476, it would therefore appear that the
decision to agree to the Council becoming the Accountable Body for
receipt of the grant from the National Lottery is reserved to the
City Mayor (in this instance in conjunction with
Cabinet).
 
Financial Advice obtained:
Supplied By : Ethan Bestwick, Senior
Accountant
Date: 28/07/2025
 
There will be no direct financial contribution
required from Salford City Council, either through capital
investment or matched funding, aside from the indirect costs
associated with managing the four funded posts. These costs are
expected to be minimal and insignificant.
SCC will act as the accountable body and hold
the entirety of the grant funding on behalf of Manchester City
Council. Provided the project is delivered in line with the plans
set out in previous reports, the financial risk to SCC is very
small. 
 
Procurement Advice obtained: Dan Cunliffe, Category
Manager
Date: 29/07/2025
There are no procurement
implications associated with the acceptance of grant funding.
Should procurement activity be required in relation to the funding,
the Procurement Team will provide appropriate guidance and
support.
 
HR Advice obtained: N/A
 
Climate Change Advice obtained:
Mike Hemmingway
Date: 24/07/2025
Community Greenways project is a three-year
initiative designed to enhance green and blue spaces within local
communities, promote environmental sustainability, and support
active lifestyles.
 
It will leave a legacy that will provide a
positive climate impact on the city of:

A strategic framework for future
green infrastructure investment.
A network of trained community
leaders and volunteers.
Sustainable models for financing
nature recovery.

 
The following documents have been used
to assist the decision process:

Report of the Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and
Community Safety.

Contact Officer:  Jo Regan                    
The appropriate scrutiny to
call-in the decision is the Overview and Scrutiny
Board.                    

 

Signed:
   Paul
Dennett                                  
    Dated:   26.08.25                                                   
                       
City Mayor
 

For Democratic
Services use only

 

This decision was
published on 29.08.25                                           

This decision will
come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 05.09.25                   
                              
unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making
Process Rules.