The Leader moved Cabinet minutes CA.29 to CA.31 and CA.33 to CA.35 and made a statement to the Council on the following matters:-

·       The Leader expressed thanks to all those members of staff for their continued hard work and efforts in the continued provision of services during the Coronavirus pandemic, particularly regarding the administering of the significant number of business grants.  The past year has been a challenging year but the authority was now looking to the future.

·       With regard to the Treadmills development, it was envisaged that the tender for the Cinema would shortly be issued.  Also, negotiations were underway on the Governor’s building.

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meetings of the Cabinet be received, approved and adopted:-

The Decision:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 9 March 2021 (CA.29 - CA.31), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for the further development and delivery of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme which was originally to provide financial support to businesses until the end of 2021/2022 financial year during and outside National Lockdown or COVID Alert Level Tier 3 (Very High) restriction periods.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme supported individual businesses and could also support the wider economic area and for funding business support activities, advice and guidance for businesses and skills training to support their ability to trade in changed circumstances.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)    the remaining Additional Restriction Grant is used to set up £400,000 ‘Additional Restrictions Grant Business Support Grants’ as detailed in paragraph 2.8 and 2.9 of the report; and

(2)    £100,000 be allocated to LEP Business Support Activities as detailed in paragraph 2.10 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval to the allocations of the Making a Difference Grants Scheme.  In February 2021, the Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2029/30 report was approved by Cabinet including within it the £250,000 allocation from the One-Off Fund to support the Council’s 2021/22 ‘Making a Difference’ grants scheme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

It was a legal responsibility upon the Council to ensure that this funding was only allocated to projects that met the terms and conditions of the grant scheme and to ensure that the funds were used for the purpose approved.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves:-

(1)    the grant allocations proposed in Annex A of the report; and

(2)    the carry forward of thirteen grants from 2020/21 into 2021/22 as proposed in paragraph 4.1 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought support for a proposition from Brompton Town Council (BTC) for a one-off case for £28,800 to enable them to replace the footbridge over Brompton Beck at Water End in advance of receiving Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the funds would enable Brompton Town Council to commission the replacement bridge. This would enable them to reduce the time the community would not be able to cross the beck without a detour to other bridges.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves £28,800 to Brompton Town Council for the costs incurred for a replacement footbridge in advance of CIL funds becoming available and upon receipt of invoices from the contractor.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval from Cabinet and Council for the adoption of a 10 year Management Agreement with the Thirsk & Sowerby Swimming Baths Charity (T&SSBC) for the operation of the Thirsk & Sowerby Leisure Centre (T&SLC) by the District Council.  

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that there had been a long-held intention to replace the existing arrangement, which was reviewed on an annual basis, with a longer-term agreement in order to provide surety and certainty of arrangement to both parties.  This was particularly appropriate in light of the Council’s present £4m investment scheme at the facility.

The decision:

That Cabinet agrees and recommends to Council that the District Council enters into the agreement with the Thirsk& Sowerby Swimming Baths Charity referred to in the report and included within Annex 1 of the report.