Minutes:
The Leader acknowledged the Chancellors Autumn Budget and Spending Review where the outcome of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) first round was announced. He agreed that it was disappointing that the Burgess Hill bid was not successful in the first round but noted that with over 300 bids submitted it was a highly competitive process. 105 bids have been awarded, the vast majority of which were in the highest priority/needs areas set out in the LUF prospectus. Only 15 projects in southern England were successful in round one, with a clear emphasis on bids on the coast for those categorised initially as in most need. He acknowledged that only around a third of the Levelling Up Fund has been announced in round one and the Council has requested a feedback meeting to support an application to further rounds of the Fund.
He confirmed that the bid for Burgess Hill is strong and these are important projects for Burgess Hill and the local economy, noting that the Council will continue to work with local MP’s and New River to make the case for them to be delivered. The Council will also continue to explore all options to unlock public and private investment including considering a bid to round two of the LUF which is expected to open in Spring 2022.
A Member submitted nine questions on the bid, noting the disappointment felt by residents of Burgess Hill on the delays in redeveloping the Martlets Shopping Centre, a high priority for the area. In response to the questions, the Leader noted that as the Council was only made aware of the outcome of the bid last week it was therefore too soon to provide more detailed information on the next steps, but feedback will inform development in this area. In terms of Member involvement in the resubmission of the bid, he confirmed that bids are regularly submitted on behalf of communities and are only done so on existing policy commitments that have had prior input from Members. The resubmission will take into consideration the criteria for round two and may remain the same or be amended accordingly, including any feedback from the Government and changes in the market. In terms of timescales, it is expected that the second bid opens in Spring 2022 with a decision potentially being made in the Autumn 2022 budget. In response to how the timescale would be secured with New River it would follow the same case as round one where timelines are in place to ensure delivery as a condition of the funding. He noted that the Council will continue to work with WSCC (West Sussex County Council) over the design of the public realm for Church Walk and Church Road in a way which allows for enhancements through any bid.
In response to a query on the alternative option if the bid is unsuccessful, the Leader confirmed that the criteria for the LUF is such that projects could only be considered if there were no other options available. The Council will need to take time to explore all the available options now that the first bid was unsuccessful and will work towards making progress in this area. Several Members sought a temporary measure for the vacant land in the centre of Burgess Hill. It was noted that options have been considered in the past but did not meet the relevant criteria. It could also potentially delay the main development project, however the Leader noted that should the second bid be unsuccessful, nothing has been ruled out.