Decision

Salford City Council - Record of Decision

Title: Active Environment Demonstrators - Irwell River and Crescent Meadow: Sport England National Lottery Funding Agreement.

I Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby:

1. Approve acceptance of a £300,000 National Lottery grant from Sport England to support delivery of the Active Environment Demonstrators - Irwell River and & Crescent Meadow project.
2. Authorise entry into the Sport England Lottery Funding Agreement, including all associated legal, financial and delivery obligations.
3. Authorise officers to complete all necessary legal documentation, including the restriction on title required under the funding agreement.
4. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with Legal Services to finalise minor amendments to the agreement if required.

The Reasons are approval to accept a £300,000 Sport England grant will allow delivery of  environmental improvements and promote physical activity along the River Irwell in Salford, targeting deprived communities.

Options considered and rejected were: n/a

Assessment of Risk: Key risks include delivery cost pressures, programme delays, compliance with Sport England funding conditions, and long-term maintenance obligations. These risks will be mitigated through robust project management, governance oversight, and adherence to funding agreement requirements.

Failure to comply with grant conditions could result in partial or full clawback of funding.

The source of funding is: Housing Capital Programme, with loan to be repaid by Dérive RP over 50 year term.

Legal Advice obtained:

Richard Purcell, Solicitor; Legal Services

Financial Advice obtained:

Adam Mozley, Senior Accountant

Ethan Bestwick/ Accountant

Procurement Advice obtained:

Christine Flisk, Senior Procurement Manager

HR Advice obtained: n/a

Climate Change Advice obtained: Yes

The project delivers positive climate change impacts through greening, improved active travel routes, enhanced biodiversity, and increased use of sustainable transport and active lifestyles along the River Irwell corridor

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

Contact Officer: Jo Regan                                     

Service Manager Parks and Streetscene Development

Jo.regan@salford.gov.uk

-       This decision is not subject to consideration by another Lead Member.

-       The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Community and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel.                    

Signed: Councillor Barbara Bentham

Lead Member for Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety

Dated: 22nd June 2026

*           This decision was published on Monday 22nd June 2026                                             

*           This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on Monday 29th June 2026                                     unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.