Decision details

To allocate funding for a River Strategy and small grants pot for river related projects

(1) To APPROVE the £100,000 provisionally allocated within the 13/14 capital programme, which will be allocated by the Council to ensure the river becomes a key cultural, economic and social asset for Bath and beyond.

The decision was made following thorough consultation through the Core Strategy process, the work of the River Corridor Group (now The River Regeneration Trust), discussion with key stakeholders and local members particularly via the E&CD PDS Panel review report and associated findings.  It reflects the Council’s corporate Vision and Objectives through promoting lively and active communities, and unique places with beautiful surroundings.

The allocated £100,000 funding could have been taken as a saving or reallocated to other projects. However this option was discounted due to two overriding factors:

• It is a corporate priority to promote river regeneration through various policy documents;

• Cabinet have approved Recommendation 1 of the River Corridor Scrutiny Inquiry Day.