Decision

Summary of Decision

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic development has approved the drawdown of capital funding of up to £673K to meet the cost of existing staffing for the Regent’s Street public realm scheme and to secure additional staffing required over the next 12 months. The drawdown is from the initial capital funding of £20m agreed at Full Council in March 2023. The Cabinet Member has also delegated the annual review of the programme staffing and associated budget to the Executive Director for Environment and Communities, in consultation with the Executive Director for Regeneration, Economy and Planning.

Reasons for Decision

The current staffing on the programme, although experienced, is not dedicated to the programme and not allocated full time to Regent Street. The pace and scale of the programme and the activities of work over the next 12 months require further dedicated staffing in order to deliver the design and public engagement programme for the Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus.