Agenda item

9.1

The purpose of this report is to provide the context for a recommendation to accept two government grant offers from Homes England (£350k) and the Office of Government Property in partnership with the Local Government Association (£504k). This funding will be used to cover development costs for regeneration, levelling up, housing and estate rationalisation programmes.

This report seeks the approval to accept the funding from Homes England, the Office of Government Property and the Local Government Association only. The funding will be revenue and all expenditure will be subject to compliance with the Council’s budget processes, financial regulations and revenue approvals process.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee:-

1.     accepts the grant offers from Homes England, the Office of Government Property and the Local Government Association;

2.     authorises the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of Government Property and agree that the Council act as Accountable Body for the Place pilot funds;

3.     authorises the completion of a grant agreement with Homes England for receipt of the funding from Homes England; and,

4.     authorises the Director of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to complete and execute all necessary documentation.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The preferred option is to accept the funding as this will allow work to continue on key programmes for the next 18 months to 24 months and alleviate pressure on the Council’s revenue budget. The funding will allow us to ensure we are in the best possible position for funding opportunities with schemes already developed for inclusion in bids.

9.3.2

It is therefore recommended that approval is given to accept the funding offered by Homes England and the Office of Government Property in partnership with the Local Government Authority.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Do nothing

Not accepting the funding will result in a lack of resources to support the continuation of regeneration and levelling up across the City. It would put further strain on revenue budgets and put us in a disadvantageous position for funding opportunities as the development work for schemes would not have been completed.

9.1

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 26, this urgent item of business was considered on the recommendation of the Chair, on the basis that the Government had made a number of awards of funding to Sheffield City Council with little notice and these needed to be accepted within tight deadlines in order to be able to utilise the funding.

The Head of Property Services submitted a report seeking approval to accept two government grant offers: the first from Homes for £350k and the second from the Office of Government Property in partnership with the Local Government Association for £504k. The funding would be used to cover development costs for regeneration, levelling up, housing and estate rationalisation programmes.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee:-

1.     accepts the grant offers from Homes England, the Office of Government Property and the Local Government Association;

2.     authorises the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of Government Property and agree that the Council act as Accountable Body for the Place pilot funds;

3.     authorises the completion of a grant agreement with Homes England for receipt of the funding from Homes England; and,

4.     authorises the Director of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to complete and execute all necessary documentation.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The preferred option is to accept the funding as this will allow work to continue on key programmes for the next 18 months to 24 months and alleviate pressure on the Council’s revenue budget. The funding will allow us to ensure we are in the best possible position for funding opportunities with schemes already developed for inclusion in bids.

9.3.2

It is therefore recommended that approval is given to accept the funding offered by Homes England and the Office of Government Property in partnership with the Local Government Authority.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Do nothing

Not accepting the funding will result in a lack of resources to support the continuation of regeneration and levelling up across the City. It would put further strain on revenue budgets and put us in a disadvantageous position for funding opportunities as the development work for schemes would not have been completed.