Agenda and minutes

The Chair confirmed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet via the Council’s website and was capable of repeated viewing. The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council. All were asked to keep to the speaking guidelines which were outlined.  Any views expressed by any speaker in the meeting are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of High Peak Borough Council.

Councillor Siddall declared an ‘other’ interest in agenda item 6, “High Peak Borough Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)” (reason: organiser of GlossFest which benefited from a UKSPF Grant)

None

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the work programme which had been developed to ensure a greater focus on strategy and policy, other items suggested for scrutiny would be considered by the Select Committee Programming Group and prioritised accordingly.

In response to comments made concerning a number of matters within the central area, the Deputy Leader suggested that a briefing could be held in due course to provide a summary of on-going and planned activity within the central area.  Any specific issues should be forwarded to Democratic Services.

Specific reference was made to the impact of Air B&Bs on some elements of tourism.  This would be addressed as part of the Local Plan Review and also through the scrutiny process once further detail around the Levelling Up Bill have been assessed.  Other matters members wished to develop included the Council’s role in supporting small businesses and the impact of the scrapping of HS2.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the above, the Select Committee Work Programme be noted.

The Head of Regeneration made a presentation to members around the High Peak Borough Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), of £2,412,000. (copy attached to the agenda papers). 

The UKSPF is part of the Levelling Up Agenda to build pride in place and increase life chances through Government identified Investment Priorities around 4 categories.  The Council had to develop investment plans in accordance with the different categories and monitoring reports are submitted to Government to demonstrate delivery in terms of spend and outputs. 

Some funding is being dispersed via grants to community organisations, such as the Small Feasibility Fund, which will result in the development of new or enhanced projects meeting at least one of the UKSPF interventions.    A case study around The Zink Project CIO was presented.  Other grant funds included the Cultural Arts and Heritage events grants and a case stud around GlossFest was presented.

In addition to the 2.4M funding, the Council also received £400,000 Rural England Prosperity Funding which is to address specific challenges facing rural areas. This is being administered and delivered alongside the UKSPF funding.

Governance arrangements were set out, which included the establishment of a board to oversee the effective delivery of the funding.  Details of closing dates and contact details were also set out.

In terms of the Board, it was queried whether representation could be reviewed to ensure local needs are adequately represented, such as the inclusion of representatives from the local industry and Buxton and Leek College.  Members were advised that the comments would be taken on Board to ensure that representation is appropriate and that the Board could be adapted to meet local needs and priorities as long as it worked within the parameters set by the Government.

In response to a query, it was confirmed that Parish Councils could apply for funding, and there could be elements of the rural funding that villages may be able to apply for depending on the bid.

The details of the Enterprise Support Alliance were included within the presentation, whose role includes working with community based organisations in the submission of bids for funding.

The timescales for projects were clarified, in that funding has to be spent and outputs delivered by end of March 2025, but there may be potential for the fund to continue after this date.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be received with thanks.

A late question had been received from Councillor Hall regarding planning enforcement around shop fronts on the Springs.  A written response would be circulated.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee received a presentation and update around the Revitalising Buxton Projects.