Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which indicated that the Townscape Heritage Project focuses on the Burges Conservation Area that was given Conservation Area status in December 2014 following an expansion of the Lady Herbert’s Garden originally designated in 1969.

This area has been chosen for restoration / regeneration because it is one of the city centre’s last surviving historic areas with buildings and streets of medieval origin with later 19^th century additions. Burges is also home to a number of locally listed buildings. There has been recent public realm investment in the vicinity. Burges, Hales Street and Palmer Lane area would also benefit greatly from investment in the buildings, public realm and by seeking to address and develop gap sites.  Together, these improvements would improve the area and provide the incentive for others to invest. In addition, the area has considerable potential boosted by its location next to the Transport Museum and close to the Cathedral Quarter and the Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) restored St John’s Hospital/ Grammar School.

Based on the success of the Far Gosford Street Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme the Council and its heritage partners were invited to submit an application to develop a further THI scheme. The application has been submitted and retrospective approval was sought for the Council to act as the accountable body and contributor to the delivery of the scheme.

The detailed scheme covers a number of interventions which will enhance the appearance and economic viability of Burges, similar to the model used for Far Gosford Street Regeneration. If successful, the HLF funding (£1,825,000) together with the funding secured from Historic England Partnership Scheme in Conservation  Scheme( PSICA) fund (£225,000) and a local match contribution (£1,806,403) will secure capital and revenue funding to deliver the following:-

1.  Property improvement grants

2.  Public realm improvements

3.  Gap site intervention.

4.  Community consultation and participation programme

It is intended that the above work will make a positive contribution to the areas local character and distinctiveness.

The report indicated that the area covered by the proposed Townscape Heritage Scheme was in mixed public and private ownership, details of which were contained in appendices to the report.

Consultation was carried out as part of the formal adoption process of the Conservation Area appraisal plan. The report detailed consultation carried out during the development stage and indicated that the feedback and comments received had been positive, welcoming investment into preserving the historic fabric of the area and its overall regeneration.

The Cabinet agreed to:-

1.  Approve the delivery of the Townscape Heritage Initiative and the Historic England Partnership Scheme in Conservation (PSICA) Scheme.

2.  Note the submission of the stage 2 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Townscape Heritage for the Burges Regeneration Project for £1,825,000 and the Historic England Partnership Scheme (PSICA) for £225,000. 

3.  Acknowledge the Historic Coventry Trust contribution of £175,000 towards the Historic England Partnership Scheme (PSICA) funding pot. 

4. Approve a local match contribution of £193,166 (Liveability and Growth Fund) from the Council’s own funds towards the £3,856,404 Stage 2 budget which will be utilised if the HLF Stage 2 application is successful.

5.  Authorise the Council to act as the accountable body for the above grants awards, if successful and to authorise the spend of the HLF grant and other match funding secured (as detailed in the financial section 5 of this report) to deliver the scheme.

6.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to enter into the appropriate funding agreements to secure the grant funding packages (if successful)

7.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) alongside the Procurement Board to agree the most appropriate procurement route for the Townscape Heritage Scheme to be delivered

RESOLVED that the Cabinet recommend that Council:

1.  Agree (subject to no other funding sources being secured) to underwrite the required gap funding shortfall of £383,704 (as required by Heritage Lottery Fund in order to secure their funding) and to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources to authorise any spend associated with the funding shortfall up to a limit of £383,704.

2.  Authorise the addition of £2,688,871 to the capital programme and £295,000 to revenue budgets, subject to approval of the Townscape Heritage Lottery Bid and match funding, and further authorise applications to other funding providers to secure the final funding package for delivery stage