Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 18, 2025

Purpose: That Cabinet approve the receipt of the MHCLG’s £20M funding over a two year period and for the Council to act as the accountable body for the funding Approve the project list subject to a future cabinet report regarding the detail of the Station Gardens scheme That Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Director of Economy and Place in consultation with the Assistant Director, Legal, Governance & Coroner and with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Housing to enter into relevant agreements with Hopwood Hall College Note that Cabinet will receive annual update reports showing progress towards the objectives and outputs. Note the changes to be incorporated into the capital programme

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which sought approval to accept and spend government grant funding relating to the Community Regeneration Partnership programme; this was a government regeneration initiative administered through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) that aimed to support improvements to UK towns.   The Town Funds Manager was in attendance to present the information and to address the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.   The Officer informed that Rochdale was one of 20 Towns chosen to receive £20 million capital funding.   Community Regeneration Partnerships were about identifying practical, actions to support priority places to ‘level up’ and to help government develop a more comprehensive understanding of places and the challenges they faced. Rochdale Borough Council was required to act as accountable body for the programme.   Resolved: 1.    That the receipt of the MHCLG’s £20M capital funding over a two year period be accepted and it be agreed for the Council to act as the accountable body for the funding; 2.    That the grant from MHCLG of £0.2m revenue funding be  accepted and that it be allocated to the Rochdale Creates Space scheme; 3.    That the project list as agreed with MHCLG, at paragraph 5.6 of the report be noted; it be also noted that there would be a cabinet report to a later meeting regarding potential options for the phasing and delivery detail of the Station Gardens scheme; 4.    That the Director of Economy and Place be given delegated authority in consultation with the Assistant Director, Legal, Governance & Coroner and with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Housing and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate services to enter into relevant agreements with Hopwood Hall College; 5.    That it be noted that Cabinet would receive annual update reports showing progress towards the objectives and outputs; 6.    That the transfer of funding from Hopwood Hall College to support delivery of other priority capital schemes as shown in the table at paragraph 5.6 of the report be agreed.   Reason for decision: The Community Regeneration Partnership programme was a government regeneration initiative administered through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that aims to support improvements to UK towns. Acceptance of the grant funding would enable the Local Authority and Hopwood Hall College to progress key projects. The grant funding needed to be formally accepted by the Council.     Alternatives considered and rejected: Do nothing. It was a condition of the funding that the Council acted as Accountable Body and provided an “assurance” function to assist MHCLG to make sure the money was spent appropriately.