Issue details

In approving the £9.4m Regional Recovery Fund on 9 October 2020, the WECA Committee agreed officer delegations to ensure that decisions on business cases / detailed specific proposals for the agreed schemes can be progressed at pace.

One of the proposals was the High Street renewal catalyst fund.

A Feasibility and Development Funding Application was prepared seeking agreement to proceed
with Phase 1 Feasibility and Development and release of £400,000. Agreement was also sought
for the delegation of the release of the remaining £410,000 to the WECA Director of Business and
Skills, in consultation with Unitary Authority Business & Skills Directors, subject to confirmation of
the deliverable outcomes.

Phase 1 activity will include project set up, establishing resources for 2 years of project delivery, initial delivery of pilot interventions, and developing the business case for further investment.
Phase 2 activity will build on Phase 1 to deliver interventions based on evidenced business cases.

The Chief Executives of the 4 West of England unitary authorities were consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the decision.