Decision details

Before the Committee was a report by the Assistant Director for Place and Economy,  copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 13.

The report  before the Committee provided Members with the opportunity to formally collaborate with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) in the mutually agreed regeneration of Montague Place. The report outlined the required capital funding for the development of a new town centre public realm scheme in its place, Montague Gardens.

Members were informed regarding the WSCC/Growth Deal business rates funding contribution that supported the scheme and were asked to note the release of previously agreed Worthing Borough Council (WBC) Community Infrastructure Levy funding at £2.7m

Montague Gardens were recognised as a key connection to and from the seafront, to the town centre, and therefore a key anchor point as part of a new strategy to support the seafront and to help it thrive into the future.

Decision:

1.    That the collaboration between WSCC and WBC in the delivery of Montague Gardens be approved, noting WBC responsibility for project management and scheme delivery; supported by the WSCC Growth Deal Officers. 

2.    That the acceptance of Pooled Business Rates be authorised , £300k funding with up to a further £100k available to underwrite the scheme’s capital budget as required, subject to successful s278 technical approval and traffic regulation order (TRO).

3.    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Place & Economy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the authority to approve and award a contract for the construction of the public realm project, subject to the outcome of a compliant procurement process. 

4.    That the increase of £400k to the capital programme budget be approved, funded by Pooled Business Rates funding of £400k. This will bring the budget available to the delivery phase to a total of £3.1m.

Call In: The call-in deadline for decisions will be 5.00pm on 18 February 2025