Issue - meetings

To consider the reallocation of Town Fund Grant.

Contact: Michelle Illingworth, Project Officer, Town Centres Regeneration.

              David Wildman, Head of Town Centre Regeneration (Interim)

RESOLVED –

That the unspent Town Fund Grant from

a)    Building Grant Revival Scheme

b)    Creative Cultural Programme

c)    Sustainable Transport modes

be agreed to be reallocated to the Dewsbury Arcade scheme.

The Board received a report which provided an update regarding progress on the plan to reallocate Town Deal Grant.

Michelle Illingworth, Project Officer, Dewsbury Town Investment Plan advised the Board that to maximise the full grant awarded to Dewsbury Town Deal Board by Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) in line with the programme end point, it was proposed that £1,299,081 of the unspent Town Fund Grant be reallocated from three Town deal projects which were, Building Grant Revival Scheme, Creative Cultural Programme and Sustainable Transport Modes to support the Dewsbury Arcade, as a priority.  The Dewsbury Arcade scheme was in construction and required additional funds due to multiple unforeseen issues to the historic fabric of the building. Any remaining unspent grant was proposed to be held to support the delivery of the Dewsbury Market and Town Park Scheme. The proposal to reallocate funding was in line with the MHCLG guidance issued in August 2024.

During discussion, the Board raised concern around the overspend and asked if there were any reasons why this was not uncovered in the survey. It was noted that due diligence had been done when the project first started, however, when the construction took place things uncovered were a lack of foundations and issues with the metal work in the roof. It was noted that £1,299,081 was the worst-case scenario for additional funds and had been set to ensure the Board was not asked for further funding. High level costs of the Arcade were requested to be shared with Board Members.

RESOLVED – That £1,299,081 of the unspent Town Fund Grant from the following projects be agreed to be reallocated to the Dewsbury Arcade Scheme.

a) Building Grant Revival Scheme

b) Creative Cultural Programme

c) Sustainable Transport modes

Iqbal Mohammed, Member of Parliament requested that his decision to vote against this proposal be recorded.