URL: https://rother.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1903

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Consideration was given to the comprehensive report of the Head of Corporate and Strategic Services that updated Members on the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board Regeneration Investment Plan, that was required to access the Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) funding allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to Bexhill.  The total grant allocation for the programme delivery over the 10-year period of PiPP was £19.51m across revenue and capital.   The decision-making body for how the funding would be spent was the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board (BNB), which was established in May 2025 as the Bexhill Town Board under the previous planned Long-Term Plan for Towns programme. The first four tranches of funding would be released by MHCLG subject to successful assessment of a 10-year vision statement and 4-year investment plan.   The BNB and Partnerships Manager and Project Officer, supported by Council colleagues, Members and other partners and stakeholders, had worked with the BNB to commission a specialist agency to develop an inclusive Place Plan for Bexhill, drawn from extensive stakeholder and community engagement, which had been highly commended.  This work had directly informed the BNB Regeneration vision and plan, which required formal BNB approval at its meeting on 21 November 2025, prior to its submission by 28 November 2025.   Whilst the Council was not the decision-making body for the PiPP, it was the Accountable Body for the spend and the overall programme and was likely to be a delivery partner for some projects.  To meet the prescribed timescales, delegated authority was sought for the Section 151 Officer in liaison with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance to approve the BNB’s Plan, prior to the submission deadline of 28 November.  The full submitted plan would then be reported to Cabinet at the meeting scheduled to be held on 8 December 2025.   Cabinet was pleased to approve the recommendation and acknowledged the commitment by MHCLG to grant more than £19m over 10 years for Bexhill, which represented much needed investment. It was a significant opportunity to transform the town in terms of its identity, its economic and social resilience and its shared prosperity, alongside reduction in social and health inequalities.   RESOLVED: That   1)     delegated authority be granted to the Section 151 Officer in liaison with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, to approve the details of the first 4-year investment plan of the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board in order to meet the submission deadline of 28 November 2025;   2)     within the Councils’ role as the accountable body for the Pride in Place Programme, delegated authority be granted to the Section 151 Officer, in liaison with the Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder, to approve the governance arrangements when finalised;   3)     delegated authority be granted to the Head of Corporate and Strategic Services to enter into relevant agreements with third party entities, as agreed by the Bexhill Neighbourhood Board and for the purposes of delivering the programme, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance; and   4)     a full report, including the Bexhill Neighbourhood Plan first 4-year investment intentions and details of underpinning engagement, be received by Cabinet at the meeting scheduled to be held on 8 December 2025.

Date of Decision: November 3, 2025