Issue - meetings

SW updated:

Projects progressing as planned:

·         Customer experience

·         Enterprise Arcade

·         Events Centre

·         Light Fantastic

·         Les Transformation de Southport

Project Barnum

·         URL is making progress on planning application, design work and engagement with investors and partners

·         SW explained that NW has proposed to reallocate the allocated funding to other projects, advising that the impact of the £2.5m would be greater if diverted to other projects, including the public realm

·         The Barnum project will still progress but will benefit from the adjacent  Town Deal projects taking place

·         Propose to revise allocated funding to Marine Lake Events Centre (£0.5m – new total £30m) and Public Realm (£2m – new total £2.5m)

Comments from the Board:

·         Mari Lewis advised the board that NW has indicated that the decision was not taken lightly, but it is very clear that increased investment in the public realm project will bring more benefit to the town as a whole.

·         Discussion that there is still a gap in the full funding needed to complete the whole ambitious public realm project – the council will continue to work with the Combined Authority to secure further funding, and to explore other avenues (e.g. business/ organisations contributions)

·         Feedback that this will be welcomed by the BID levy payers -  good opportunity to further engage those large businesses

·         The scheme based on £2.5m is being worked on by officers and there a number of areas of focus - further updates to follow.

All agreed on the reallocated of the funding to Events centre and Public Realm. This has been discussed, or will be discussed, with Board Members who have given apologies – all in agreement.