Agenda item

The report advises members of the Coastal Catalyst Place Partnership Fund awarded project and seeks Committee’s support for the inclusion of the Arun District in the scheme. 

          The Chair invited the Economic Regeneration Projects Officer to present his report to members which outlined that a Place Partnership Fund bid funded by the Arts Council, England and led by Brighton Dome and Festivals Limited had been successful in being awarded a total of £900k to deliver youth based project work by working within seven local authority areas along the coast of West and East Sussex. The report was seeking the Committee’s approval and to confirm its support for the Council’s inclusion in the funded project.

The report explained the activities that were likely to take place and what the benefits of these activities would be for the communities within Arun. The existing delivery partners included in the bid has also been listed for added information. It was also explained that as the funding had been awarded to an external body there was no funding or financial commitments required from the Council.

          The recommendation was then proposed by Councillor Stanley and seconded by Councillor Penycate.

          In inviting debate from the Committee, the Chair outlined his view that this was positive for the Council as there was no risk or cost to Arun, only opportunities that could benefit young people in the future.

          In debating the report, Members were interested to hear if funding had been confirmed for Arun. It was explained that Brighton Dome & Festival Limited had been awarded the £900k for activities across the coastal area explained earlier. It was not possible to confirm a precise figure, at this stage, that could be awarded or spent in Arun. The establishment of three new creative hubs in Arun, Eastbourne/Newhaven and Bexhill would assist with this process.

Another area of interest was whether any funding would be earmarked specifically for largely digital type projects to promote that economy. It was explained that the project was focused on investing in infrastructure to support this area which was seen as a vital sector locally creating more opportunities for young people aged 14 to 25 so that they could learn the skills needed to fill employment gaps and expand the creative digital sector. A Member was keen to have confirmed if the Arun Youth Council would be involved with this project. It was confirmed that Artswork (National Portfolio Organisation which was operating in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) and a delivery partner for this project ran the Arun Youth Council and so assurance was given that they would be consulted so that they had an understanding of the project and its focus.

Returning to the existing delivery partners set out in the report, it was felt that there were local organisations that had been omitted from that list. Could the list be expanded and added to in terms of future partners making contact to become involved in the project. Having received assurance that there was scope to enhance the list and that discussions were already planned with the University of Chichester, Butlins and Arun Arts, the Committee,

          RESOLVED

That it supports Arun District’s inclusion in the funded project