The Cabinet has decided to approve funding and authority for multiple regeneration projects in Northumberland, including the Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants project, the Wansbeck Square redevelopment, and the Ashington Town Centre Highway Infrastructure project.

URL: https://northumberland.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=383

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To provide members with an update on key regeneration projects and seek approvals that will support ongoing delivery.

Content: RESOLVED that:-   In relation to NCC as the Accountable Body for the MHCLG funding (Levelling Up Fund (LUF)/Capital Regeneration Project (CRP)) for Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants:     1.     OBC Approval and Delegated Authority for Business Case Approval – Cabinet approves the Outline Business Case for the Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants project and delegates authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to approve the Full Business Case, in accordance with the Economic Development & Growth Local Assurance Framework. This follows consideration and recommendation by the Regeneration Programme Board. Any subsequent capital implications will be reported to Cabinet via the Capital Strategy Group for inclusion in the Capital Programme.   2.     Funding Approval – Cabinet approves an amendment to the Capital Programme by reallocating £400,000 in 2025-26 and £1,100,000 in 2027-28 from the Strategic Regeneration Projects budget to the Ashington Town Centre Renewal of Strategic Sites Programme budget. This funding will support the construction of projects in the Programme as set out in Table 1D and as previously agreed by Cabinet on 16 January 2024.   3.     Grant Funding Agreement Authority – Cabinet delegates authority to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement between Northumberland County Council acting as the Accountable Body and Advance Northumberland Commercial Ltd as the funding recipient. This is subject to a full appraisal including consideration of subsidy control compliance.   4.     Loan Agreement Authority – Cabinet delegates authority to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources in collaboration with the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration, to determine the loan value and process the application submitted by Advance Northumberland (Commercial) Ltd. This must be in compliance with subsidy control.    In relation to NCC as the Accountable Body for the MHCLG funding (Levelling Up Fund (LUF)/Capital Regeneration Project (CRP)) and North East Combined Authority funding for the redevelopment of Wansbeck Square:    5.     Wansbeck Square Redevelopment - Cabinet notes the progress made on the redevelopment of Wansbeck Square and the phased approach to regeneration.   6.     Funding Approval – Cabinet authorises the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to enter into contracts up to the value of £2.429m, an increase of £829k from the Cabinet approval in June 2023, within the funding package, to support the progression of Phase 1 and 2 works. The funding will contribute to site development, further design work and targeted acquisitions. The awarding of new contracts and property acquisitions required for this development work will be subject to approval via Delegated Decision Reports, as set out in Part 10 of the Finance and Contract Rules, S4.4 Financial Approval Limits, subject to confirmation of funding and adherence to procurement procedures.   In relation to the Ashington Town Centre Highway Infrastructure project    7.     Cabinet agrees the establishment of the Ashington Town Centre Highways Infrastructure project and approves the associated financial profile as set out at 5.87 to be funded from NCC capital.

Date of Decision: September 3, 2025