Decision details

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Acquisitions, Transformation and Regeneration regarding the allocation of Section 106 funding.

Members were advised that out of £100,000, £22,618 remained within the Section 106 budget, £10,000 of which had been ringfenced for town centre strategy work.  However, as a result of COVID-19, the Bexhill Town Centre Steering Group (BTCSG) felt that this was no longer the best use for this funding.  Therefore, Members were requested to grant authority to the Head of Acquisitions, Transformation and Regeneration to work with BTCSG to allocate the remaining funding (£22,618) to support relevant projects; all projects would be assessed by BTCSG.  Consideration would also be given using some of the funding, along with a bid for Police and Crime Commissioner funding to support a town centre manager post.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder Economic Development and Regeneration apprised Members of two projects that the Section 106 funding had already been ring-fenced to support namely a Vintage Fair in Western Road to be held over three weekends in the summer and a footbridge on the Heritage Trail.  She also advised Members of the Council’s “Re-opening Project” to promote / boost redevelopment of the District’s local economy and re-opening of businesses post COVID-19 e.g. shops, pubs and restaurants.  The project was being launched week commencing 12 April 2021 and all Members were encouraged to support and promote the scheme within their Wards.

Cabinet agreed that BTCSG was best placed to allocate the remaining funding to appropriate projects, especially as the town centre sought to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was also agreed that consideration be given to consulting with the Bexhill Parish (Town) Council to spend any residue of the Section 106 funding in May 2022.

RESOLVED:  That:

1)    £10,000 of the Bexhill Town Centre Section 106 monies previously earmarked for strategy development work no longer be ringfenced;

2)    the Bexhill Town Centre Steering Group be directed to promote and recommend projects for funding;

3)    the Head of Acquisitions, Transformation and Regeneration be grated delegated authority to allocate all of the remaining Section 106 monies in liaison with the Chair of the Bexhill Town Centre Steering Group; and

4)    consideration be given to consulting with the Bexhill Parish (Town) Council to spend any residue of the Section 106 funding in May 2022.