Issue details

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take decisions on the award of regional recovery funding in consultation with the Chief Executives of the Combined Authority constituent councils.

A report was prepared setting out the case for releasing £255,000 phase two funding from the Combined Authority’s High Street Renewal Catalyst grant programme, which forms part of the existing regional Recovery Fund for Bath & North East Somerset Council's Vacant Unit Action Project. The report also sought approval of the associated change request form (see Appendix 1).

The Vacant Unit Action Project builds on year 1 pilot interventions and aims to test a number of activities using vacant units to support meanwhile and temporary uses supporting High Street diversification bringing activity that supports high street vibrancy and retention of footfall.

This project proposal focuses on Bath, with a satellite project in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton. In Bath, the project aims to support the development of ideas into stimulating further pilots generated as part of the Milsom Quarter Masterplan on the future of High Streets and the project proposals are also informed by the Bath & North East Somerset Commercial Estates Review.

The Chief Executives of the Combined Authority’s constituent councils were consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the decision.