Agenda item

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 the Council acted as the accountable body and that all funding required Cabinet approval. Any significant changes would also be subject to Cabinet approval and, where appropriate, Council approval. While project?level decisions were made by the Town Board, these were reported to Cabinet for noting. The Council retained responsibility for ensuring that public money was spent properly, with appropriate due diligence, and that projects aligned with the priorities approved by Cabinet in November.

It was acknowledged that the programme represented a shift in decision?making towards the Town Board, making strong oversight and accountability essential. The presence of the MP and the elected Member on the Board was seen as critical to maintaining democratic accountability.

Regular reports would be brought to Cabinet covering spend, risks, benefits, and progress, with relevant matters also reported through Governance and Audit processes. It was noted that Overview and Scrutiny Committees retained the ability to examine the programme if required.

Members emphasised that Pride in Place funding was public money and must be spent wisely on projects delivering clear benefits to Spalding and improving the local environment. The programme’s purpose was to rebuild civic pride, with success ultimately judged through delivery outcomes. It was noted that the majority of the funding had not yet been spent, given the ten?year life of the programme, and that significant work was taking place behind the scenes to develop projects.

Safety and security were highlighted as key priorities, including hotspot policing initiatives, the introduction of Community Wardens, and continued lobbying for improved policing resources across Lincolnshire, recognising that the county remained under?funded for policing. It was also noted that one of the Board’s remits was to seek additional external funding from both public and private sectors to maximise the impact of the initial £20m allocation and leave a sustainable legacy beyond the ten?year period.

Members considered the implications of Local Government Reorganisation and changes in national government, and it was stated that Town Boards and their associated funding were expected to remain in place, with only the accountable body changing.

In respect of Community Wardens, it was confirmed that they were not intended to replace hotspot policing but to complement existing arrangements. Recruitment and training would take time, and in the interim, private sector security would be deployed where funding permitted to provide a visible presence and support events. The distinction between enforcement?powered Community Wardens and private security staff was noted, and continued close working with the police was confirmed, including discussions regarding the potential involvement of PCSOs. It was also clarified that wardens would operate across Spalding and surrounding areas as required.

DECISION:

That Cabinet:

·         Recommends that Council amends the Capital and Revenue budgets to reflect the funding as set out in Section 2 of this report and delegates authority to the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to vary the Council’s Capital and Revenue base budgets for projects under the parameters of the Pride in Place programme for Spalding.

·         Approves that the Council be the accountable body for the Pride in Place programme for Spalding and delegates authority to the Council’s Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the Pride in Place Programme in Spalding, as attached at Appendix 2.

·         Notes that it is the responsibility of the Spalding Neighbourhood Board to consider and recommend how the funding is allocated to individual projects. The Cabinet will be kept notified and updated with the Board’s priorities, approved projects, allocations and spend profile and monitoring of risks and benefits on regular basis.

·         Delegates authority to the Council’s Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to approve the Board’s recommended expenditure, following due diligence and in consultation with the Director of Economic Development and Leader of the Council.

·         Delegates authority to the Council’s Director of Economic Development to enter into all associated delivery contracts and grant funding agreements on behalf of the Council in consultation with the Council’s Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer and the Leader of the Council.

(Other options considered:

·         To not accept the Pride in Place funding for Spalding

·         To work with the Spalding Neighbourhood Board to identify an alternative accountable body structure for the governance and management of the approved funding

Reasons for decision:

·         To enable the Council to receive the annual funding allocations under the Pride in Place Programme and support the Spalding Neighbourhood Board to progress with the delivery of the subsequent investment periods.

·         To ensure that all public funds associated with the programme delivery are used lawfully, effectively and in line with Government rules and relevant Council procedures.

·         To ensure transparent, consistent and robust decision making and appropriate due diligence is undertaken on the recommended funding awards prior to formal contracting and expenditure.)

(Cllr Carter declared an interest in this agenda item and left the room during its consideration)