Decision details

To seek approval for the County Council to enter into legal agreements to transfer the Local Growth Fund monies approved by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership to the Environment Agency and Westcott Leach Limited to deliver the Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme and Swallow Business Park infrastructure package respectively

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

DECISIONS

29.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) approve grant funding of £1.5m to the Environment Agency to fund the delivery of the Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme; and

(2) delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to approve the terms of any agreements and to take all other necessary actions in respect of recommendation (1).

Reasons

29.3     The Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme is one of the Local Growth Deal schemes to come forward in East Sussex and its delivery will help unlock new housing and employment space and create jobs across the Newhaven Clean Tech and Maritime Growth corridor.

29.4     The Environment Agency is a key delivery partner for the County Council in achieving its ambitions for driving economic growth in Newhaven.  The awarding of the £1.5m grant will enable the Environment Agency to deliver the package of flood alleviation measures, subject to the approval of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Accountability Board, bringing forward greater viability towards unlocking key strategic sites in Newhaven for commercial and housing opportunities.