Content

9.1

The committee considered a
report of the Executive Director of City Futures providing
an update on the second round of the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF2).
The report also set out the proposed route to consider whether
there should be any further rounds of funding and sought approval
to change the project previously approved for ‘Heeley Green
and Newfield Green’ with a project for ‘Newfield Green
and Gaunt Shopping Precinct’, to be delivered in its
place.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic
Development and Skills Policy Committee:-
 

·      
Note the progress in delivering the second round of funding.

·      
Note the intention to appoint an independent agency to conduct an
evaluation of ERF2 and consider the future of ERF.

·      
Approve the proposed project for Newfield Green and Gaunt Shopping
precinct in the ERF2 programme, in place of the previous proposal
for Heeley Green and Newfield Green.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The ERF Steering Group
and the team leading the Gleadless Valley Master Plan are aligned
in wanting to see allocated money spent in this area. There is high
confidence in the team’s ability to make a success of the
project and commitment to delivering these outputs and outcomes
within the delivery period for the project. There are significant
synergies to be gained from delivering ERF in an area that will be
undergoing significant change in its housing stock and an
opportunity to support the retail areas in those locations so they
feel that they have a stake in and can benefit from that wider
investment.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Regarding the
proposal for Newfield Green and Gaunt Parade alternatives have been
considered as follows:

•      
The Gleadless Valley Masterplan Team have led on
local engagement to try and identify an alternative lead
organisation for this project, however
none were forthcoming.

•      
Consideration was given to procuring an organisation
that could act as an accountable body and project delivery partner
for this project, however, this was felt to be undesirable given
the clear synergies of delivering ERF in this area alongside the
broader Gleadless Valley Masterplan.