Decision details

59.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

59.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Approve East Sussex County Council, as the scheme delivery partner, entering into a grant funding agreement with Eastbourne Borough Council in relation to the £4.74m of Levelling Up funding allocated for the delivery of the Victoria Place pedestrianisation of Terminus Road: and

(2) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and Assistant Chief Executive, to negotiate and agree the terms of the grant funding agreement between Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County Council.

REASONS

59.3     In October 2021, Eastbourne Borough Council successfully secured £19.85m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for its ‘Linking Town Centre Regeneration with a ‘Strengthened Visitor Economy @Victoria Place and @Towner’ proposal.  This included £4.74m for the delivery of the Victoria Place pedestrianisation of Terminus Road. The scheme builds on the existing investment the County Council has made using Local Growth Fund and other funding sources in the Eastbourne Town Centre Movement & Access Package and represents an opportunity to sustainably upgrade this section of the town centre by creating more space, priority and accessibility for pedestrians, as well as providing a clear and inviting pedestrian route between the Town Centre to the Seafront.

59.4     The County Council, acting as the scheme delivery body, will be required to enter into a grant funding agreement with Eastbourne Borough Council to defray the Victoria Place funding allocation to the County Council to progress the consultation, detailed design and construction by the end of the LUF funding period of March 2024.