Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0       Relevant Background Information 

1.1       The Local Investment Fund (LIF) has been developed to support the delivery of key regeneration projects in neighbourhoods and also as a means for Members to connect with local communities, in preparation for their formal role in community planning under RPA.

1.2       At its meeting on 24 August 2012, Committee agreed to support in principle 29 preliminary recommendations from the Area Working Groups (AWGs) up to a total value of £1,454,000.  **Approval for the Gray’s Lane Play Park proposal which had been recommended for funding by the North Area Working Group was deferred. This has been referred back to the North AWG.  The recommended funding amount for this project was £85,000. 

            This is in addition to the 6 preliminary recommendations which the Committee agreed at its meeting on 22nd June.  To date £2,244,852 has been committed under the Local Investment Fund.

            This was subject to confirmation of detailed costings and sustainability as well as seeking authority from the relevant Committees on leasing arrangements. 

2.0       Key Issues

2.1       AWG Recommendations on LIF proposals

            At the most recent round of AWG meetings, officers updated Members on the external meetings they have facilitated on the LIF proposals. In accordance with Council procedures, individual Members declared any conflicts of interest and this was noted in the minutes of the AWG.  Members are asked to note that only the South and East AWGs have met since the 24th August and put forward project recommendations. 

            On the basis of the information presented, the South and East AWGs have made the following recommendations for the consideration of the Committee:

            All of the above have been assessed against the prioritization matrix and the summary has been circulated. It is recommended that Committee approves the above projects subject to confirmation of costs, clarification of legal issues, sustainability etc.

            Financial Governance arrangements for the payments of LIF projects

2.2       A separate report on the financial governance arrangements for the Local Investment Fund is being presented to Committee today. 

            Feasibility Fund

2.3       All of the AWGs have flagged potential projects for the Feasibility Fund as agreed previously by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.  A separate paper on the Feasibility fund is also on the agenda for Members consideration.

            Update on Area Working Group Workshops

2.4       At its meeting on 22 June, the SP&R Committee agreed to a series of workshops examining the role of Members in place?shaping and community engagement, in the context of the LIF, as well as the wider context of community planning. 

2.5       The first round of these workshops, which were facilitated by Jon Huish, took place during the last week of August and the first week of September. The objective of the initial workshops was to develop a shared understanding the local area, its assets, issues and existing investments.  These were well attended and generated productive debate.  The SWOT analysis emerging from each of the area workshops is currently being collated and will be used as the basis for further discussion in the next round of area specific workshops in October. These workshops will be focused on identifying a vision for change for each area and agreeing area specific outcomes.

2.6       As Members are aware the next workshop, which is a joint workshop for all Members, is being held on Monday 24th September at 4.30pm in the Waterfront.  The purpose of this workshop is to

-          explore best practice around place-shaping and

-          to identify the capacity and processes needed to undertake effective community engagement.

3.0       Equality Implications

            The overall programme of LIF investments will be screened at regular intervals to ensure that the Council is fulfilling its obligations as part of the Equality Scheme, as well as ensuring that it is in line with the Investment Programme’s underpinning principles related to good relations and balanced investment.

4.0       Resource Implications

            Human Resources are currently being allocated to individual projects.

            Financial:

Assets: Further work to be completed.  Will be presented to Committee for agreement in due course.

5.0       Recommendations

            It is recommended that Committee:

1.      endorse the South and East AWG project recommendations in paragraph 2.1 ;

2.      note the current remaining levels of LIF allocation as set in paragraph 4; and

3.      note the update on the ongoing Area Working Group workshops”.

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.