Decision details

A £2 million, funding package to support Midsomer Norton High Street and to deliver a renewal programme has been secured. A number of successful grant applications have been made working closely with key stakeholders in the town. This report outlines the sources of funding, the key terms of the spend, funding approval mechanisms and key deliverables and outputs anticipated.

This report requests agreement to formally accept this grant funding and progress the renewal programme in line with the Delivery Plan, working closely with the local community and business stakeholders.

The Cabinet Members agree to

1.1  Delegate approval for John Wilkinson, Director of Economy and Growth to accept the £793k High Street Heritage Action Zone grant from Historic England, to be spent over a four-year period to March 2024, and submit the required Delivery Plan to secure the funding by 1st September 2020 (Appendices 2 & 3), in consultation with the s151 officer, and the Leader of the Council.

1.2  Note the scheme funding as set out in section 5 of the report.

1.3  Agree to incorporate Midsomer Norton High Street Renewal Programme into the 2020/21 capital programme and allocate provisional capital budget  of £913k to be funded from Historic England Grant (£793k), Midsomer Norton Town Council (£45k), Midsomer Norton Town Trust (£25k) and transfer of £50k from the provisional capital budget item CIL – Public Realm.

The report seeks approval to accept the grant funding and agree the Delivery Plan.

The proposals for Midsomer Norton High Street are focused on three project areas: (1) Improvement scheme at the Island: Market Place scheme and improvements to the Town Hall and adjacent shop fronts; (2) Pedestrian Passageway between car park and high street (3) High Street shopfront and signage improvement scheme. Funding is also allocated to pilot activities such as pop-up shops, outdoor markets and community and business engagement.

The alternative option is to not accept the Historic England grant funding, or other elements of the funding package and to not progress the renewal programme for Midsomer Norton High Street.