Economic Development and Regeneration Flexible Grant Acceptance
To consider confidential recommendations
Minutes:
The Cabinet considered the recommendations in relation to agenda item 28.
Resolved:
That the Cabinet:
1. Approve the acceptance of an allocation up to £2,171,726 ED&RFG grant against the three interventions approved for funding by GMCA broken down as follows:
a. Accessible Oldham.
b. Tommyfield Park Phase 1 – increase accessibility into and around the town centre park.
c. Town Centre Park Staff Members – facilitate the expansion of the town centre green space that has been created in the Town Centre.
d. Town Centre Infrastructure and Cultural Events Programme.
e. Co-design cultural events to support Oldham’s Place Marketing approach, a core element of the Cultural Strategy and will support the emerging Creative Improvement District and Night-Time Economy strategy and action plan. Creating a safe, welcoming and vibrant town centre with wayfinding and town centre wardens/ambassadors.
f. Town Centre Business Grants and Support.
g. Providing financial assistance to owners and tenants. Supporting local business growth, improves the local shopping environment, and raises the town’s appeal.
2. Note, that as accountable body for ED&RFG, GMCA will issue a Funding Agreement in respect of the grant, which will be reviewed by the Council ‘s legal services.
3. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) to agree the terms of the Funding Agreement issued by GMCA in respect of the grant award in consultation with the Directors of Finance and Legal Services and approve appointments of professional teams and contract award in respect of the agreed budgets.
4. Delegate authority to Director of Legal Services, or his nominated representative, to finalise and enter into the Funding Agreement issued by GMCA in respect of the grant award subject to the completion of any necessary due diligence on subsidy control compliance and authority to agree and complete any project change requests under the Funding Agreement.
5. Delegate authority to the Director of Legal Services or their nominee to formalise any necessary legal requirements including signing and/or sealing any documentation referred to and/or required to give effect to the recommendations and/or delegations in this report.
6. Delegate authority to the Director of Economy, or their nominated representative, to agree approval of spend, works or individual grants for the Accessible Oldham projects, Town Centre Infrastructure and Cultural Events Programme projects and Town Centre Business Grants and Support project.
7. Delegate authority to the Director of Economy, or their nominated representative, to agree monitoring and evaluation of defined outputs and negotiations thereupon as required over the grant delivery period of 2026/2027.
8. Note and endorse that the internal governance and administration for the ED&RFG grant will be performed via the Creating a Better Place Programme Board (CaPB) structures.