Issue - meetings

To accept the UK Government’s Memorandum of Understanding to enable delivery of the ten-year Pride in Place programme for Spalding to commence in 2026/27. Delegated authority arrangements are also requested to ensure effective and lawful use if public funds under the programme and that robust decision-making arrangements are in place throughout the subsequent investment periods (report of the Assistant Director – Culture and Regeneration enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Director – Culture and Regeneration which sought acceptance of the UK Government’s Memorandum of Understand to enable delivery of the ten-year Pride in Place programme for Spalding to commence in 2026/27. It also requested delegated authority arrangements to ensure effective and lawful use of public funds under the programme and that robust decision-making arrangements were in place throughout the subsequent investment periods.

The Leader introduced the report which explained that the Pride in Place Memorandum of Understanding had been issued by the UK Government and required the Council to act as the accountable body.

The Leader advised that the Memorandum set out the delivery arrangements for the ten?year Pride in Place programme and clearly detailed the funding profile to be paid over that period, with specific allocations identified for years one to four.

The Leader added that the Memorandum confirmed that the Council, as accountable body, held responsibility for the programme, while the Supporting Neighbourhood Board was responsible for recommending how funding should be allocated to individual projects. Cabinet would be kept informed and updated on Board priorities, project approvals, funding allocations, and spend profiles, and would monitor risks and benefits on a regular basis.

Members discussed the funding, governance, and delivery arrangements for the Pride in Place programme in detail. It was confirmed that the costs associated with the programme related primarily to staffing and that all staffing costs, including any support from PSPS Ltd if required, were fully funded by UK Government grant. No Council funding was being used.

It was explained that Boston and Spalding Town Boards had agreed to share a delivery team to ensure efficiency and appropriate capacity. This comprised a Pride in Place Programme Manager, split equally between the two Boards, and a Programme Coordinator, thereby avoiding duplication and ensuring both strategic oversight and operational delivery. Both posts had been appointed following interviews, with external resources used only on an interim basis prior to those appointments. The delivery of the programme was funded entirely through the Boards, and where possible, staffing costs were capitalised, as they represented a significant element of the overall funding.

Members noted that the funding related specifically to Spalding and did not impact the wider South Holland District. Assurance was given that the grant was ring?fenced government funding intended for the Pride in Place programme.

In relation to governance, reference was made to the Memorandum of Understanding, which appointed the Leader of the Council to the Neighbourhood Board to represent South Holland District Council. It was acknowledged that this arrangement would inevitably change as a result of Local Government Reorganisation, at which point the Council would cease to be the accountable body. It was anticipated that a revised Memorandum would be issued by Government at that stage. Current guidance required representation from the local Member of Parliament and an elected representative, and this would transfer to the new unitary authority.

The overall governance arrangements were explained, with confirmation that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122