Decision details

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has been working with district and borough council partners to develop a county-wide business support and skills programmes, funded from their UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocations.  In addition, Lewes District Council has asked ESCC to manage and deliver a grants programme funded through the Newhaven Town Deal.

Lead Member is asked to agree the programme of activities for the UKSPF and the Newhaven Town Deal grants programme. Moreover, the Lead Member is asked to delegate authority to the Director of Communities Economy and Transport to enter into grant agreements or other legal agreement with district and borough council partners regarding the above.

5.1       The Leader considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport on behalf of the Lead Member for Economy.

DECISIONS

5.2       The Leader RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the work that has been done to develop county-wide business support and skills programmes working with district and borough partners;

(2) Note the development of the Newhaven Town Deal Grants programme;

(3) Approve the commissioning and/or managing of county-wide business support and skills programmes on behalf of district and borough funding partners including a grants programme in Newhaven; and

(4) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport (CET) to enter into grant agreements or other arrangements with district and borough funding partners using UK Shared Prosperity Funds (including Rural England Prosperity Fund), Town Deal and other funding as identified by funding partners.

REASONS

5.3       There has been significant work that has taken place with district and borough partners to put in place business support and skills programmes following the loss of EU funding, together with the development of a Grants Programme for the Newhaven Town Deal area.

5.4       Delegation of authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport (CET) to enter into grant agreements or other arrangements with funding partners and commission delivery via grant or competitive tendering processes will ensure that East Sussex County Council (ESCC) can move to the next, vital stage of delivering much needed support to businesses and residents in East Sussex as part of work to drive sustainable economic growth in line with one of ESCC’s priority outcomes.