Stafford Council to submit bid for £25m Government funding
Stafford Borough Council is pressing ahead with its bid for up to £25 million Government funding to boost the county town.
Senior members of the borough council have given the green light for a full business case to be submitted by April 30 – or an extended deadline if applicable – as part of the bid for a share of the Future High Streets Fund.
A number of Staffordshire towns were put forward last year for the Government scheme, including Cheadle and Newcastle under Lyme. Stafford is one of the towns still in the running for the cash – and if the bid is successful the windfall is set to help fund regeneration.
The council’s cabinet also agreed in principle to consider borrowing additional money “to co-fund proposed regeneration projects to enable land redevelopment that will act as the catalyst for delivery of the Northern Town Centre Masterplan” – if it is awarded a share of the Future High Streets Fund.
They discussed the matter at their cabinet meeting on April 2, which took place remotely by telephone conference call due to current social distancing measures aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Councillor Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning, said: “This is the project that we are putting forward for substantial funding from Government and the request is to approve the submission of the bid to Government for up to £25m capital grant and to seek a capital budget as co-funding for the viable development schemes should the award be made.
“Further, to agree to delegate authority to the head of development, in consultation with the chief executive, leader of the council and cabinet member for economic development and planning, to submit the business case by April 30, and to enter into negotiations with relevant landowners and parties over the potential acquisition of properties and land.”
Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for resources, said: “Councillor Beatty has said the capital budget – my interpretation is that we are giving approval to borrow in future. There is no figure actually stated as yet.”
Councillor Aidan Godfrey, leader of the authority’s Labour opposition group, said: “I am fully supportive of what is going on so far. I hope Councillor Beatty initiates any discussions on what this involves with other members of the council.
“I would like opposition members to be kept fully briefed and members of the council to be fully briefed but I’m sure this will be the case.”
In September 2019, Stafford Borough Council was awarded £150,000 by the Government to be used for developing the full business case for transforming Stafford town centre.
A report to Thursday’s cabinet meeting said: “The funding was based on an Expression of Interest that set out ambitious plans for the town centre for the next five years.
“Working with consultants, the council submitted a draft proposal on 15 January 2020 for consideration by the Ministry for Housing, Community and Local Government. Feedback on the draft bid is anticipated within eight weeks of submission before the final business case is submitted no later than 30 April 2020.
“The final bid outlines five projects to achieve the aim of a fundamental and transformational change to Stafford town centre that also provide future revenue income for the council. The maximum potential award is £25m, although likely awards are suggested to be between £5m and £10m.”
