Decision details

Further to Minute No. 5 of 30 June, 2010, the Cabinet Member considered the joint report of the Planning and Economic Development Director and Environmental and Technical Services Director updating on the Plugged-in-Places Programme and seeking consent for Sefton Council to be the Accountable Body for the sub-regional bid.

The report indicated that the sub-region's Expression of Interest for the Plugged In Places project was formally submitted to Department of Transport (DfT) in July 2010; out of 15 applications, the DfT had indicated that the Merseyside bid was likely to succeed subject to a number of key issues being addressed; and that officers were of the view that the issues could be satisfactorily addressed to enable a full bid to be submitted by 29 October 2010 deadline.

Merseytravel, who were expected to undertake Accountable Body status for the project, had now indicated that it would not be possible for them to assume such status; and given that Sefton had agreed to become the Accountable Body for the sub-regional REECH Project, and the fact that associated activities were all related to addressing CO2 emmisions reduction, helping local SMEs, creating local employment opportunities, and the development of the low carbon economy, the Cabinet Member was requested to agree to Sefton becoming the Accountable Body for the Plugged-In-Places project, subject to the bid being successful.

RESOLVED:  

(1)      That the Cabinet be requested to approve in principle to Sefton Council           being the Accountable Body for the sub-regional Plugged-In-Places           project to facilitate the submission of the bid in October 2010; and

(2)      it be noted that a further report be submitted detailing all financial, legal, and operational implications prior to accepting the Offer letter should the bid be successful.