Appendix 1 – Getting Building Fund round 2, approved East Sussex projects, November 2022

The applications were reviewed in line with the guidance from SELEP that projects were required to demonstrate:

A legitimate case as to why additional funding is required to support delivery of the project
That the project is in a position to deliver quickly and that it is not subject to any significant delivery risks.
That the project continues to offer High value for money in accordance with the requirements of the SELEP Assurance Framework.
The additionality (additional benefit) which will be realised as a result of the award of extra funding must be clearly demonstrated.

There was no guidance that projects applying for either additional phases, or due to the impact of Covid 19/Brexit/high inflation on their original business case should automatically be a higher priority than the other.

Steer, as Independent Technical Evaluator’s for SELEP, were commissioned by ESCC to undertake an initial Gate 1 assessment for all projects that had submitted a full business case. These evaluations were incorporated as part of the project prioritisation process.

ESCC finance and treasury teams have reviewed all applications and have undertaken financial appraisals as part of financial due diligence and governance processes.

Winter Garden Phase 2

Eastbourne Borough Council

£900,000

This project will develop a world-class facility for virtual film production (VP), a centre of excellence for skills training in digital and creative arts, and a leading VP R&D facility in the Devonshire Quarter, Eastbourne:

· 10+ FTE additional jobs directly created

· Additional work created for production companies, film crews and ad agencies (etc) who will also spend at and use local businesses and accommodation for prolonged periods whilst shooting.

· Opportunities for expansion into conference halls for larger/bespoke digital productions.

· Training programmes will stimulate more opportunities for the local population to become involved in a highly skilled creative industry.

· The digital media/VP facility will deliver opportunities for existing/traditional filmmaking businesses and partnerships including locations work, hybrid shooting and pick-up shots with partners such as The Sussex Film Office and their extensive client base

Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Infrastructure Uplift

Seven Sisters Country Park

£84,100

Funding will bridge inflationary gaps to enable the project to deliver the original agreed outputs and outcomes previously agreed by TES and SELEP. New contract costs for the construction works are significantly higher resulting in a shortfall of £84,100 from the projected project costs and total secured income. Summary of project benefits once project delivers:

· Safeguard 7.8 FTE (6 F/T and 4 (P/T) and an unknown number of local construction jobs.

· Create 6.5 FTE (2 F/T and 9 P/T) jobs.

· Create 1 x 1 bed flat for onsite warden.

· 2,000 learners assisted per annum

· 233 high foot fall retail space (72 in original plan with this late funding allowing us to add in 131)

· 2 new superfast Broadband connection

· 104 enterprises supported (4 onsite and 100 through the new retail space)

· 4,523 annual reduction (kgCO2/annum) for the heat pump. We are unable to make an estimate for the electric boilers at this time.

· Increase in average spend from 38p to £3.90 per visitor (as assessed by MAI Arts and Heritage Commercial Dev. Consultant through their retail report)

· Increase in footfall through the visitor centre from 65,000 to 100,000 in year one, rising thereafter.

Observer Building, Hastings	White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures	£315,000*
Funding will bridge gaps towards addressing inflationary cost increases associated with Brexit and Covid, as well as increasing forecast operational costs. The windows across three elevations of the Observer Building are currently being replaced, making the building almost completely weathertight, but the above issues means that it has not been possible to undertake the necessary repairs to the facades.

*White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures submitted two potential options for this projects that both addressed inflationary cost; at £315,000 and £650,000 which would address further construction costs increases. The higher ask could not be taken forwards due to the impact that this increase would have on the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of the project.

Sussex Innovation, Falmer. COVID Secure Adaptions (Hybrid Working Enhancements)

Sussex Innovation Centre

£200,000

The next stage of adaptation of facilities to enhance technology infrastructure and flexible meeting spaces to allow companies to expand hybrid working practices will incorporate:

· Additional laptops and workstations to allow greater hybrid working.

• Contactless door entry system

• Server room upgrade

• Building Enhancements:

• ‘Zoom rooms’ - 4 x 1-person sound proof work booths

• Break out facilities for short ad hoc meetings

• Outdoor meeting facilities

• Social space from repurposing underutilised parts of the building

• Air conditioners that draw in outside air for Phase 1 of the Innovation Centre

• 3 x Electric car charging points

• Additional secure cycle parking, including specific parking for e-bikes.

Accessing Charleston: Removing the barrier to growth

Charleston

£321,414

The extension of this project aims to secure a more environmentally sustainable option for bringing visitors to Charleston and the South Downs, generate a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and support audience development and long-term financial sustainability by:

· Improve environmentally sustainable growth in the local visitor economy by encouraging visitors locally and from outside the region to arrive in Lewes by rail or bus and reach Charleston via sustainable transport methods.

· Support audience development goals of widening access to Charleston by providing access to visitors who do not have access to car, typically younger and lower socio-economic groups.

· Sustainable transport will allow these visitors to access green traveller discounts.

· Provide charging points in the car park to encourage the growth of electric car usage, increasing the regional network of charging points and improving facilities for visitors using electric cars.

· This additional investment will further boost the economic impact of tourism in East Sussex and into the South Downs National Park and create a link between Lewes and Charleston visitors.

· Electric minibus linking Charleston to wider public transport network

· 3x Electric vehicle charging points for use by visitors to SDNP

2x FTE jobs
Reduction of CO2 emissions from visitors to Charleston projected at between 222,000kg and 444,000kg per annum