Agenda item

7.1

The committee considered a report of the Executive Director, City Futures that provided a progress update on the successful Gateway to Sheffield Round 1 Levelling Up Fund bid and set out recommendations to enable delivery of the three projects outlined in the Gateway to Sheffield Bid.

7.2

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

a)    Agrees 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;

b)    Notes the exempt appendix 1 and 2 and authorise Officers to seek formal approval from the Department for Levelling Up Homes and Communities to relocate an element of the project to the Castle Site.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

7.3.1

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.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

Do nothing

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.  There is a risk that this will detract from the investment made on the remainder of the site.

7.4.2

Do More

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 the delivery of 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.

7.4.3

Chosen Option

The proposals in the report are considered to be the minimum required to ensure that the Gateway to Sheffield project can deliver the outputs required for the Levelling Up Fund as agreed with Government

7.1

The committee considered a report of the Executive Director, City Futures that provided a progress update on the successful Gateway to Sheffield Round 1 Levelling Up Fund bid and set out recommendations to enable delivery of the three projects outlined in the Gateway to Sheffield Bid.

Progress on delivery of the scheme was set out in a previous report to the committee on 24^th November 2022. 

Following questions from members, it was confirmed that the recent walk about of the site was helpful for members and the report was much clearer that the previous report in November.

It was confirmed that only the development pot of money would be used for the project, and this was fixed.  Additional reassurances were given to members that there would be an ongoing dialogue with the current tenants and that meeting were being held with various groups regarding the project.  It was confirmed that meeting of the Castlegate Partnership Group was happening and the next one was due to meet in January. Member confirmed they were happy to move forward with the proposals following the reassurances from officers.

7.2

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

a)    Agrees 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;

b)    Notes the exempt appendix 1 and 2 and authorise Officers to seek formal approval from the Department for Levelling Up Homes and Communities to relocate an element of the project to the Castle Site.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

7.3.1

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.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

Do nothing

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.  There is a risk that this will detract from the investment made on the remainder of the site.

7.4.2

Do More

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 the delivery of 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.

7.4.3

Chosen Option

The proposals in the report are considered to be the minimum required to ensure that the Gateway to Sheffield project can deliver the outputs required for the Levelling Up Fund as agreed with Government