Agenda item

Councillor Beal presented a report which detailed the Stage 1 approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People funding programme for the Seafront gardens and associated open spaces of The Green in Hunstanton.  He congratulated the team for receiving this support. 

He explained that it included areas such as the open green areas and Heritage Gardens including the Butterfly shelters.  The Stage 1 approval provided development funding of £28,800 from the HLF towards the £36,000 total development costs with the Borough Council funding the difference (£7,200).

The basis of the scheme submitted was a total cost of £826,745 with 80% funded by the HLF (£656,600) and 20% by the Council (£164,145).  These estimated figures would be the basis for developing the scheme to Stage 2.

Councillor Beal drew attention to the fact that at the Joint Panels meeting comments had been made about it being a lot of money to commit to the town, but he drew attention to the fact that Hunstanton relied on Tourism, and the areas mentioned were in real need of update and repair.  The proposals had received considerable support from most Members and in the Town.

Councillor Daubney commented that it was extremely good news for Hunstanton, and he congratulated all involved on the work that had gone into the bid.

Councillor Long commented that the Borough was fortunate that Hunstanton had a lot of positive points, and things such as the butterfly shelters were as much a part of what made the resort and enabled it to attract the funding.

Councillor Beales in supporting the comments made stated that the areas bid for were in need of updating in what otherwise was a well looked after area, and had been agreed through the Hunstanton Regeneration Partnership.    In bidding for the funding he reminded Members that it was important to run the Council effectively, but at the same time continue to do things such as this and the Tuesday and Saturday Market Places and Town Hall, with the help of Lottery funding.

Councillor Daubney asked if the award of Stage 2 funding was a technicality.  The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager reported that there was an element of competitiveness in terms of quality of bid, and they had spent time with an HLF mentor to discuss the Stage 2 bid where they had indicated they were supportive of the bid, but that a quality bid would have to be submitted.

The Regeneration Project Officer confirmed that it was a 2 stage process, and if successful, work would commence out of season to be completed before the commencement of the new season.

Attention was drawn to the support for the recommendations from the Joint Panels meeting.

ReSOLVED:            1)         That the Stage 1 project approval from the HLF be noted.

2)         That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to develop the proposals to a Stage 2 submission.

3)         That the Council’s contribution of £164,145 to the project if the stage 2 application is successful as detailed in Section 4 of the report be approved.

4)         That a further report be brought to Cabinet in February 2016 prior to submission of the Stage 2 scheme.