Issue - meetings

That Cabinet:

a)      note the updates provided in relation to the Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative including the recent name change implemented by the UK Government of the ‘Pride in Place Programme’ (PiPP) and the related role of the Newark Town Board, as set out in section 2.0 of the report;

b)      note and endorse the Newark Town Board’s PiPP Regeneration Plan for submission to the UK Government by 28 November 2025 (subject to Board and Section 151 Officer approval), comprising a 10-year vision document and four-year indicative investment profile;

c)       approve the addition of a revenue budget of £1,502,000 and a capital budget of £5,306,000 required for the first four years of the PiPP delivery (2026 to 2030) with individual financial commitments to be approved by the Newark Town Board and the Section 151 Officer. Both budgets remain subject to the Council receiving sufficient assurance of funding through a finalised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the UK Government, to be approved by the Section 151 Officer, as detailed further in paragraphs 2.5 and 2.6 of the report; and

d)      approve the proposed Newark Town Board Local Assurance Framework (LAF), as provided in Appendix 3 of the report and detailed further in paragraphs 2.12 and 2.13.

The Economic Development Grants & Programmes Manager presented a report which provided the Cabinet with an update on the delivery of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme (now referred to as the Pride in Place Programme) and proposed key recommendations to enable programme delivery to commence from April 2026. Additionally, the report updated Cabinet on programme governance processes including a proposed updated Local Assurance Framework required for the Newark Town Board.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)            anote the updates provided in relation to the Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative including the recent name change implemented by the UK Government of the ‘Pride in Place Programme’ (PiPP) and the related role of the Newark Town Board, as set out in section 2.0 of the report;

b)            note and endorse the Newark Town Board’s PiPP Regeneration Plan for submission to the UK Government by 28 November 2025 (subject to Board and Section 151 Officer approval), comprising a 10-year vision document and four-year indicative investment profile;

c)             approve the addition of a revenue budget of £1,502,000 and a capital budget of £5,306,000 required for the first four years of the PiPP delivery (2026 to 2030) with individual financial commitments to be approved by the Newark Town Board and the Section 151 Officer. Both budgets remain subject to the Council receiving sufficient assurance of funding through a finalised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the UK Government, to be approved by the Section 151 Officer, as detailed further in paragraphs 2.5 and 2.6 of the report; and

d)            approve the proposed Newark Town Board Local Assurance Framework (LAF), as provided in Appendix 3 of the report and detailed further in paragraphs 2.12 and 2.13.

Reasons for Decision:

The recommendations within this report are necessary to enable the local Newark Town Board to oversee and deliver the PiPP over the next decade through the provision of programme budgets. The proposed Local Assurance Framework will support the council to effectively fulfil its assurance role, clearly defining roles and processes to be followed by the Newark Town Board throughout programme delivery.

Options Considered:

The governance and funding arrangements detailed within this report are set by the UK Government throughout the PiPP prospectus. In particular, the council’s role as the accountable body for programme funding, with the local Newark Town Board considered the strategic decision makers. The recommendations within this report reflect the arrangements and the funding conditions set by MHCLG.