Agenda item

49/20                                      

The Council considered a report that set out a number of proposals to ensure that visitors would experience the best that the South Hams had to offer whilst also ensure that local residents would feel confident that towns and local businesses were as safe as possible, with the added benefit of returning consumer confidence.

In introducing the report, the Leader advised that, at the appropriate time, it would be her intention to PROPOSE a revised recommendation that would seek approval to an additional £100,000 of investment (from £498,000 to £598,000) to support the economic recovery that would be focused on improving the built / natural environment to deliver economic improvements within the smaller coastal communities and tourism centres in the South Hams.

In the ensuing debate, reference was made to:

(a)    support being expressed for the additional investment.  In welcoming the assurance that Modbury would be able to bid for these monies, it was also hoped that South Brent and Bickleigh would be able to do likewise;

(b)    the need for town councils to provide match funding.  Some Members considered the timing to be unfortunate to ask town councils to provide match funding when they had only just set their precept for the next Financial Year;

(c)    further Government guidance still being awaited.  Whilst guidance was still awaited, officers confirmed that each submitted Bid would be looked at on its own merits.

(d)    an amendment to the motion.  The following amendment was PROPOSED and SECONDED:-

3. That the proposed initiatives set out in the report be referred to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for its examination and scrutiny and thereafter it will submit its recommendations to the Executive.

4. That prior to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, Members be encouraged to seek the views of the town and parish councils, residents and local businesses within their area.

5. That, meanwhile, the sum of £50,000 be allocated for expenditure in respect of any urgent measures to be undertaken or required prior to a final decision in respect of the proposed initiatives.

In introducing his amendment, the proposer stated that there was a lack of opportunity for the wider membership to adequately scrutinise the process.  In addition, the Member was of the view that the set of proposals were being rushed and there was a need for town and parish councils and local businesses to have the opportunity to be consulted.

During debate, reference was made to:-

-       any delay in allocating monies would have a detrimental impact on local businesses and this amendment was seen by some Members to be slowing down the process;

-       support for the need for wider engagement and consultation and the need to comply with the recently adopted Consultation and Engagement Strategy;

-       if approved, the amendment resulting in the matter being referred to the next Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting to be held on 1 April 2021; and

-       the Council’s Recovery Plan giving great emphasis to economic regeneration.

When put to the vote, the amendment was declared, by virtue of a Chairman’s Casting Vote, to be LOST;

(e)    some parishes not being able to directly access this funding.  Whilst supporting the proposals, some Members did wish to point out that not all areas of the South Hams would see any direct benefit.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.      That in line with the Council’s commitment to work with and support businesses, residents and communities through the Recovery period, an investment of £598,000 be approved to support economic recovery, the major towns and the visitor economy of the South Hams. The funding will support the national roadmap for the easing of lockdown at a local level, as detailed below:

·         Keeping the streets clean - £130,000

·         Enhanced on street presence - £36,000

·         Supporting business and hospitality - £57,000

·         Improving the business environment in our key towns - £275,000

·         Improving the built / natural environment to deliver local economic improvements within our smaller coastal communities and tourism centres - £100,000

2. That the total cost of £598,000 be funded as set out below:-

i)       £398,000 be allocated to the initiatives set out in the report from either the remaining funds from the Council’s Additional Restrictions Grant scheme allocation, or in the event that the further Government guidance due to be published on the ARG scheme indicates that a different approach is required, that instead the £298,000 is funded by the Business Rates Retention Earmarked Reserve or other appropriate source, such as the recently announced Welcome Back Fund;

ii)   The final decision on the financing of the £398,000 be delegated to the Director of Place of Enterprise, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, the Leader and Executive Member for Finance, on receipt of the further guidance from the Government department responsible for Business Grants on the ARG scheme, which is anticipated to be received prior to the end of March 2021; and

iii)  That it be noted that £200,000 from the £500,000 of ARG funding previously allocated by Council on 11th February 2021, (minute CM 39/20 refers), earmarked for strategic economic recovery projects and priorities, is allocated to the initiatives set out in the presented agenda report.