Decision details

11.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures, that provided a progress update on the successful Round 1 Levelling Up Fund bids and a summary of the as yet undecided Round 2 Levelling Up Fund Submissions

In addition, the report recommended the acceptance of the recommendations of the recent “Live Works” coproduction workshops for the Gateway to Sheffield Levelling Up Fund activity.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-

a)    Notes the positive progress made on the LUF Round 1 projects Gateway to Sheffield and Attercliffe;

b)    Notes the submission of two bids to the LUF round 2 and request a further report is brought to this committee once the outcome is known;

c)    Approve the implementation of 13 recommendations of the Live Works workshop, subject to the availability of funding;

d)    Defers the decision to note that the resources identified in the Gateway to Sheffield LUF bid for the creation of development plots will be used in the first instance to make good two buildings on the Castle Site;

e)    Defers the decision to note the exempt appendix 2 and authorise Officers to seek approval from the Department for Levelling Up Homes and Communities to relocate an element of the project to the Castle Site;

f)      That officers seek clarification of agreement in principle from the Department of Levelling Up, as to whether they would approve the relocation element of the project (Castle Site), subject to any relevant DLUHC change process and approval by committee at a subsequent meeting;

g)    Requests that the Castlegate Members Working Group is reconvened, and the first meeting of that group is before the 20^th December 2022.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The recommendations recognise the work done so far in discussion with a wide range of stakeholders and the public and allows for these views to be used to inform the design of the Castle Site.

11.3.2

Furthermore, the recommendations enable best use of the resources identified for development plots within the LUF funding allocation, ensure all project outputs are delivered and that LUF investment in the Castle Site is enhanced.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

If the Council decided not to include the two buildings as development plots there is a risk that they would be left to deteriorate further and become an increasing blight on the Castle Site and Exchange Street.  The funding would continue to be used to bring forward other development plots within the Castle Site.

11.4.2

Whilst there is no more funding available from DLUHC, one consideration would be to ask DHLUC to vire more of the funds allocated to the Gateway to Sheffield Project to do more than undertake initial repair of the buildings.  However, this would be detrimental to other elements and outputs for the project. Additional applications for funding could be made but these would take time to secure and may jeopardise delivery of LUF scheme, project and outputs.

11.4.3

The proposals in the report are considered to be the minimum required to ensure that the Gateway to Sheffield project can deliver the best outputs for the funding awarded