URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5562

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive which sought approval and acceptance of £1,500,000 Pride in Place Impact Fund capital grant allocation, from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in September 2025 as part of the 2025 Spending Review.   Oldham had been allocated £1,500,000 capital from the Pride in Place Impact Fund from MHCLG to be spent over 2025/26 and 2026/27. The Pride in Place Impact Fund will cover the following objectives:   a. Community spaces: creating, extending, improving or refurbishing existing community facilities and enabling community organisations to take control or ownership of underused but valued local assets. b. Public spaces: enhancing the physical environment in public spaces - examples of initiatives include new or improved green spaces or public squares, improved outdoor play, sports and leisure spaces, installing street furniture, public art or wayfinding. c. High street and town centre revitalisation: making these areas more attractive and welcoming places where people congregate and which encourage economic activity. Examples of initiatives that could be funded are shop frontage improvements, adaptations that bring premises back into use, streetscape improvements, public art, trails and wayfinding, and creating or improving the infrastructure for regular markets.   Resolved: 1.    That the Cabinet approves the acceptance of the £1,500,000 capital Pride in Place Impact Fund from MHCLG and undertaken the following objectives: A.    Community spaces: creating, extending, improving or refurbishing existing community facilities and enabling community organisations to take control or ownership of underused but valued local assets. B.    Public spaces: enhancing the physical environment in public spaces - examples of initiatives include new or improved green spaces or public squares, improved outdoor play, sports and leisure spaces, installing street furniture, public art or wayfinding. C.   High street and town centre revitalisation: making these areas more attractive and welcoming places where people congregate and which encourage economic activity. Examples of initiatives that could be funded are shop frontage improvements, adaptations that bring premises back into use, streetscape improvements, public art, trails and wayfinding, and creating or improving the infrastructure for regular markets. 2.    That the Cabinet notes that MHCLG has issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has been reviewed by the Council ‘s financial services. 3.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place (Deputy Chief Executive) to agree the terms of the MoU issued by MHCLG and any funding agreement in respect of the grant award in consultation with the Directors of Finance and Legal Services and approve appointments of professional teams and contract award in respect of the agreed budget. 4.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to Director of Finance, or Chief Executive, to finalise and enter into the MoU issued by MHCLG and any funding agreement in respect of the grant award subject to the completion of any necessary due diligence on subsidy control compliance and authority to agree and complete any project change requests under the MOU and/or funding agreement. 5.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Legal Services or their nominee to formalise any necessary legal requirements including signing and/or sealing any documentation referred to and/or required to give effect to the recommendations and/or delegations in this report and authority to approve the appointment of external legal advisers if required to protect the Council’s interests and give effect to the recommendations in this report. 6.    That the Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Economy or their nominated representative to agree monitoring and evaluation of defined outputs and negotiations thereupon as required over the grant delivery period of 2025/26 and 2026/27. 7.    That the Cabinet notes and endorses that the internal governance and administration for the MHCLG grant will be performed via the Creating a Better Place Programme Board (CaPB) structures. 8.    That the Cabinet notes that the Chair of the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, had agreed for this item to be considered at this meeting on grounds of urgency, namely due to the need to make a decision to accept the grant funding before the next scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on 17th November 2025 and that he has exempted this item from call-in by virtue of Rule 14 of the Constitution.

Date of Decision: October 20, 2025