Minutes

6        LEVELLING UP FUND ROUND 2 – The Director: Economy and Environment submitted an urgent report seeking approval from the Cabinet Member to submit four bids to the Levelling Up Fund Round 2.  The decision was urgent to enable the bids to be submitted by the deadline on 2 August 2022.

The Levelling Up Fund (LUF) was a £4.8bn capital fund to support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects and cultural and heritage assets.  The fund was aimed at smaller infrastructure projects which had a visible impact on people and communities.

The Fund prioritised places in need to economic recovery and growth, regeneration and improved transport connectivity.  An Index of Priority Places had been developed for the LUF based on the need for economic recovery, need for regeneration and need for improved transport connectivity. North Lincolnshire was in the highest need category (level 1).

Unitary authorities were eligible to submit bids for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund which was announced in the 2022 Spring Statement.

The report summarised details on eligibility, the role of MP’s, investment priorities, timeframe, and the Council’s proposed submissions.

Resolved – (a) That the submission of the four Levelling Up Fund bids as set out in the report and appendices be approved, (b) that the Assistant Director – Place (Deputy Director) in consultation with the Director: Governance and Communities (section 151 officer) be authorised to finalise the details of and sign off the bids for submission, and (c) the Director: Governance and Communities be authorised to approve the appropriate financial arrangements under the financial case of each of the bids, including the necessary budget allocations for the match funding.