Purpose

Since its announcement on 1 October 2023 by the UK Government at the time, Clacton-on-Sea has been part of a programme in which a Town Board would be formed from local community, service and business representatives, it would develop a 10 year Vision for the Town and then receive a total of £20M of funding to deliver that Vision. To support the development of the Vision and achieve some quick wins, the UK Government has supported the programme with (what is now) a total of £600K 'capacity' funding.
In July 2025 (Minute 44 refers), in considering the appropriate arrangements for the allocation and approval of Pride in Place Capacity funding, Cabinet approved that "the Corporate Director (Place and Wellbeing) be authorised to approve variations of the [...] capacity payments, upon receipt of minuted approval by the Clacton Town Board, and following consultation with the Council’s Section 151 Officer."
The Clacton Town Board on 30 March 2026 was advised that the UK Government had endorsed its 10 Year Vision (submitted in late 2025) and, following some clarifications, the Year 1 delivery funding would be provided to the Council as the Accountable Body for the Clacton programme). In view of this, and the final element of the overall £600K capacity funding, the Board reallocated its capacity funding and determined in part its use of the Year 1 delivery funding to be provided.
The minuted decision of the Clacton Town Board in respect of reallocation of capacity funding has been provided to the Corporate Director (Place and Wellbeing). The Section 151 Officer has also been consulted. The Board's decision
On 24 April 2026 (Minute 141 refers), the Council's Cabinet approved:
"Pride In Place external grant funding of £0.360m (capital) and £0.232m (revenue), along with associated additional capacity funding of £0.150m to support the delivery of the programme, be accepted ahead of a future separate report that will include further details / associated governance arrangements as necessary."

Decision

(1) To approve the realigned allocations of funds provided by the UK Government for 'capacity' purposes in respect of the Pride in Place programme for Clacton-on-Sea to reflect the decisions of Clacton Town Board on 30 March 2026 (as identified in the attached report); and
(2) To note the Clacton Town Board's intentions for the allocation of funds provided by the UK Government for 'delivery' purposes in respect of the Pride in Place programme for Clacton-on-Sea.
[Note: This decision does not approve the allocation of delivery funding. As approved by Cabinet on 24 April 2026, Pride in Place delivery funding will be the subject of a separate report to/decision by Cabinet.]

Alternative options considered

There are no direct implications arising from this decision. It is acknowledged that the 10 Year Vision of the Clacton Town Board will span the intended creation of a County Combined Authority, election of the Greater Essex Mayor for that Authority and the envisaged creation of a unitary authority for North East Essex to replace the District Councils of Tendring, Colchester and Braintree and the County Council for Essex (in relation to that geography).