The Cabinet has decided to approve the Regeneration Strategy and Project Pipeline, with delegated authority for funding administration and distribution.

URL: https://sandwell.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1199

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To consider the Regeneration Pipeline Performance.

Content: Reasons for Recommendations On the 23 March 2022, Cabinet approved the Regeneration Strategy, Regeneration Project Pipeline, setting out the corporate regeneration priorities for the period 2022 to 2027. The pipeline was a live document, and Cabinet resolved for it to be monitored via a report submitted to Cabinet every 6 months. The last report was considered on the 10 December 2025.   In addition, Cabinet resolved to approve additions to the project pipeline and for the updated pipeline to be published on the Council website and the Regenerating Sandwell website.   The Council, as Accountable Body, was required to establish governance and reporting arrangements to ensure the efficient award of grant funding within the timescales agreed for each Partnership Board Grant Funding programme.   The Regeneration project pipeline comprised 61 live projects, in addition to 26 projects that were now complete, bringing the estimated total investment value to £3bn by 2027 and total number of projects to 87.   Alternative Options Considered Option 1: Do Nothing (No change to the Regeneration Pipeline). The Council could choose not to review or update the Regeneration Pipeline and continue with existing arrangements without formal monitoring or reporting. This option was not recommended as it would limit transparency, reduce oversight of programme performance and risk progress not being effectively scrutinised by Cabinet.   Option 2: Do not approve additional programmes within the pipeline. The Council could choose not to include the Pride in Place programme within the Regeneration Pipeline. This would result in fragmented reporting and governance arrangements, limiting the Council’s ability to maintain a comprehensive overview of regeneration activity and potentially weakening strategic alignment across programmes. This option was not recommended.   Option 3: To refuse the delegation of powers to the Smethwick, Friar Park and Tividale Partnership Boards for administration and award of grant funding for Pride in Place grant funded programmes. Key operational and financial decisions would require repeated Executive or Cabinet approvals. Given the scale and pace required for Pride in Place delivery this approach was unworkable in practice. It would create unnecessary bottlenecks, slow down implementation, risk missing government deadlines, and compromise the Council’s role as Accountable Body. This option was not recommended.   Resolved:-   (1)  that Cabinet receive and endorse the performance and progress of the Regeneration Pipeline;     (2)  that approval is given for the inclusion of the Pride in Place programmes for Smethwick, Friar Park and Tividale in future Regeneration Pipeline Performance reports to Cabinet;   (3)  that delegated authority is given to the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, to progress the establishment of governance arrangements for the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Tividale and the preparation and submission of Regeneration Plans, in accordance with Government requirements and within approved governance frameworks;   (4)  that delegated authority is given to the Executive Director – Place in consultation with the Tividale Neighbourhood Board, to submit a revised investment boundary to government for approval;   (5)  that delegated authority is given to the Executive Director of to administer and distribute Pride in Place funding for Smethwick, Friar Park and Tividale areas to the Smethwick Partnership Board, Friar Park Partnership Board and Tividale Partnership Board respectively on condition that reports on the administration of the schemes are included within future Regeneration Pipeline Performance reports to Cabinet;   (6)  that Cabinet acknowledged that each Town Partnership Board may award grant funding of up to £20million for each relevant Pride in Place funding scheme.  

Date of Decision: July 15, 2026