Decision ref
0106 2024/25
Decision date
08/04/2025
Portfolio
Inclusive Growth and Regeneration
Wards
Town Centre
Title
To approve and authorise signature of a SHMMI Grant Funding Agreement for £35,467,042 from the LCRCA
Summary
On 25 September 2024, Cabinet approved acceptance of £32.702m capital grant funding for the SHMMI project. Approval was granted for delegated authority to relevant Council officers to execute all necessary agreement(s) pursuant to the successful delivery of the project. Approval is now sought under delegated authority for the acceptance of the Grant Funding Agreement (attached) and signature by the relevant authorised officer.
Purpose
To formally accept and authorise signature of a grant funding agreement from the LCRCA for £35,467,042 capital grant funding for the delivery of the SHMMI project.
Background
At its meeting on 25 September 2024, Cabinet approved the acceptance of a £32.702m capital grant funding award from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) for the delivery of the SHMMI project (Permanent Bus Station). Cabinet also accepted £2.765m capital funding and £0.184 revenue grant funding award from the LCRCA for the delivery of the temporary bus hub enabling activity necessary to allow the SHMMI (Permanent Bus Station) to progress. Approval was also granted for delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place Services in consultation with the Director of Legal & Governance and Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer to execute all necessary agreement(s) pursuant to the successful delivery of the project.
Since this date the Council has rapidly progressed the creation of a temporary bus station to accommodate the relocation of bus services from the existing bus station and is now at a key point wherein the existing bus station can be demolished and the permanent SHMMI project can be delivered. This DED seeks approval to formally secure the capital grant funding award of £35,467,042 from the LCRCA via a grant funding agreement for the delivery of the SHMMI project.
This requires the acceptance of the Grant Funding Agreement terms and conditions and signature by the Councils authorised officer.
Conclusion
This Delegated Executive Decision seeks acceptance and authorisation of signature of a grant funding agreement between LCRCA and Council in relation to a £35,467,042 capital grant funding award secured from SIF CRSTS funding. The allocation will provide substantive funding for Council to deliver and complete the SHMMI project
Risk Implications
Council and it partners are moving at pace to deliver the SHMMI project, and wider town centre regeneration programme, in accordance with the prescribed funding and programme timeframes. The programme environment maintains a full risk register that identifies a range of risks facing the programme. This is reviewed at regular intervals ensuring appropriate mitigating actions are undertaken and the risks are mitigated as per expectations. With regards to this specific request, Council has already incurred some costs in the delivery of SHMMI therefore the non-acceptance of the grant funding agreement and the funding allocation from the LCRCA will create a significant financial challenge to Council and jeopardise the delivery of the scheme.
Measures to Redress Risk
Council's Legal Department has worked closely with LCRCA's Legal Department to review and prepare the attached Grant Funding Agreement that requires authorisation to sign and therefore accept the £25,467,042 funding award against the GFA terms and conditions.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact David Saville on 01744 676148
