Decision details

This report will seek Cabinet Authority to accept grant funding and move forward programmes and projects relating to:

·         Levelling Up Round 3 – Huddersfield Open Market

·         Levelling Up Round 3 – Penistone Line

·         The Kirklees Investment Zone, forming part of the Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor

·         Long Term Investment in Towns – Dewsbury

The Report seeks authority from Cabinet to:

·         Accept grant funding.

·         Set up the necessary governance and approval arrangements.

·         Utilise funding to develop and deliver projects as required to ensure project completion.

·         Deploy any necessary resources to support the delivery of these and projects and programmes, including related procurement activity.

In developing the proposals for the LUF3 projects engagement has taken place with key stakeholders including but not limited to: local communities and traders for the Huddersfield Open Market project; and WYCA, Network Rail, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority for the Penistone Line project.

Similarly, engagement with partners, in particular WYCA, the University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield Town AFC and Huddersfield Giants and local businesses has taken place as part of the Investment Zone / Station to Stadium Masterplan work.

Significant engagement has taken place previously in Dewsbury and in the development of the new Long-term Plan further engagement is planned.

RESOLVED –

1)    That the external Levelling Up Funding Round 3 of £16,649,855 from Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to support the delivery of Huddersfield Open Market Hall Levelling Up project, subject to the terms and conditions of the grant funding agreement, be accepted.

2)    That the external Levelling Up Funding Round 3 of £47,917,122 from DLUHC to support the delivery of Penistone rail line upgrade, subject to the terms and conditions of the grant funding agreement, be accepted.

3)    That the external funding of up to £20m (£15m for Capital, and £5m for Revenue) from DLUHC for the development and delivery of the Long-term plan for Dewsbury, subject to the terms and conditions of the grant funding agreement be accepted and that upon acceptance, the £15m would form part of the Council’s Capital Plan.

4)    That the external capital funding of up to £17m from DLUHC, via West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) as Accountable Body, to develop and deliver Kirklees projects within the West Yorkshire Investment Zone, subject to the terms and conditions of the grant funding agreement be accepted and that upon acceptance, this would form part of the Council’s Capital Plan.

5)    That in accordance with Sections 22.4 to 22.8 of the Financial Procedure Rules grant funding would be accepted for external capital and revenue funding for Kirklees projects within the West Yorkshire Investment Zone from DLUHC via WYCA as Accountable Body, should this become available and subject to any related terms and conditions.

6)    Pursuant to (5) above, subject to this funding, authority be given to officers to progress projects within the Investment Zone.

7)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration and the Service Director Legal, Governance and Commissioning, in consultation with relevant Portfolio holders, to finalise and execute all necessary legal agreements and to put in place the necessary governance and assurance arrangements including entering into any grant agreements with DLUHC and WYCA to facilitate delivery of the above projects.

8)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with relevant Portfolio holders, to develop and deliver the identified schemes for Huddersfield Open Market, the Penistone rail line upgrade and Kirklees projects within the West Yorkshire Investment Zone.

9)    That pursuant to (8) above, to include the preparation and submission of necessary statutory consents to ensure delivery and undertake the necessary procurement exercises, including the award of related contracts to deliver the projects, subject to necessary consents and approvals being in place and in accordance with the Council’s Contract and Financial Procedure rules.

10)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio holder, to work with the existing Dewsbury Town Deal Board to establish a new Town Board by 1 April 2024, with the Council continuing to act as Accountable Body, and for officers to work with the Board and Portfolio holder to develop and submit a Long-term Plan by 1st August 2024.

11)That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with relevant Portfolio holders, to progress all necessary delivery arrangements including procurement and award of a contract to a Strategic Delivery Partner to provide professional services that facilitate the effective delivery of the project portfolio, and that authority be given to the Strategic Director for Growth & Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Service Director Legal, Governance and Commissioning to finalise and execute all necessary contract agreements.