Skip to content

Issue - meetings

Meeting: 11/05/2022 - Cabinet (Item 162)

162 Bid into Government Levelling Up Fund: Round 2 pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (designate) (PTE/22/19) which outlines proposals for a bid into the Government ‘Levelling Up Fund:  Round 2’, attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the Council work with the District Councils to submit bids to the Government’s “Levelling Up Fund” (LUF) in July 2022, for the following schemes:

 

i.              Okehampton - new rail station & transport hub;

ii.            Cullompton - Town Centre Relief Road;

iii.           Exmouth – Destination Exmouth Completion of Dinan Way and improved cycle and pedestrian links to the Town Centre;

iv.           Newton Abbot to Torbay Cycle Route; and

v.            Lee Mill - Slip road, cycle/pedestrian improvement (potential linkage to the Freeport) and bus interchange improvements;

 

(b) that the Levelling Up Fund bids be submitted with a total estimated cost of £92 million and approve the increase in the capital programme of up to £6.3 million as a contribution from Devon County Council;

 

(c) that where approval is granted, delegated authority be given to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and Finance to negotiate the terms of any funding agreements required to secure the funding or any part of it; and

 

(d) that delegated authority be given to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Local Member and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, to make minor amendments to the bid submissions.

Minutes:

(Councillors Biederman, Connett, Dewhirst and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (designate) (PTE/22/19) which outlined proposals for a bid into the Government ‘Levelling Up Fund:  Round 2’,

circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Cabinet noted that the Department for Transport, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Treasury were planning to invest in high-value local infrastructure. The Levelling Up Fund (LUF) was to be distributed as a capital grant, as part of the Government’s broader offer to level up opportunity across the UK.

 

Working with key stakeholders, a programme of schemes had been identified which covered a range of transport modes and spread the bids over a wide geography covering a number of key Market Towns.

 

The Report identified five projects including a rail station, a strategic cycle scheme and three other schemes, with associated highway, pedestrian/cycle improvements aimed at reducing the impact of traffic on sensitive residential areas and town centres. Each scheme would aim to demonstrate a net gain in biodiversity, a reduction in carbon and air quality improvements.

 

The eligibility was complex as the Government had categorised all authorities based on the need for economic recovery and growth; improved transport connectivity and regeneration. The table in the Report showed the categories for Districts in Devon, with the guidance stating that preference would be given to bids from higher priority areas.

 

Members of Parliament were also allowed to back one bid they saw as a priority.

 

After numerous discussions and consultations, the proposed programme was ambitious but deemed deliverable.

 

·        Okehampton - working with West Devon Borough Council who would submit a bid for a West Devon Transport Hub in Okehampton.

·        Cullompton - working with Mid Devon District Council to submit a bid for Cullompton Town Centre Relief Road (CTCRR).

·        Exmouth – with East Devon District Council and the submission of a package bid which included the Dinan Way extension.

·        Newton Abbot to Torbay Cycle Route – with Teignbridge District Council to submit a bid to enhance the cycle connectivity, appeal and safety between Newton Abbot and Torbay.

·        Lee Mill – work with South Hams District Council for a new Lee Mill A38 eastbound slip road, and bus interchange, including improvements to the cycle connections between Ivybridge and Langage Freeport/Plympton.

 

Various consultations had taken place on every scheme at the appropriate level and all schemes have a high level of support. The Report also outlined how the proposals met the Strategic Plan priorities and actions.

 

The table in section 6 of the Report highlighted that the funding from the LUF was generally limited to £20 million per scheme. It further highlighted the contributions from both the County Council and the Districts and the Levelling Up Fund Bid.

 

All schemes were expected to have a valid permission  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162



Top