Agenda item

RESOLVED that 1) the funding of £249,914.25 from East Midlands Investment Zone be accepted,

2) RLB Rider Levett Bucknall be appointed to deliver the project on behalf of Bolsover District Council.

Executive considered a detailed report, presented by Councillor John Ritchie, which sought approval for the Council to accept funding from East Midlands Investment Zone to complete a feasibility study into the proposed Green Skills Hub at Portland Drive, Shirebrook.  The report also sought approval to appoint consultants to deliver the feasibility study.

The Council was developing a Green Skills Hub at Portland Drive, Shirebrook, funded through the UK Government Regeneration Fund.  The Green Skills Hub was being developed as part of the long-term strategy to develop green and retrofit skills across the district and followed on from the successful retrofit skills projects that the Council had led on including Phases 1 and 2 of the Retrofit Pilot.

In November 2024, the Council submitted a bid to EMIZ (East Midlands Investment Zone) Strand A process for £249,914.25 for the development of the feasibility study into the Green Skills Hub.  The bid was submitted with partners RLB (Rider Levett Bucknall) and was in partnership with local colleges, universities, and businesses.  The bid was successful, and subject to EMCCA scrutiny, the support would be funded by EMCCA.  The money awarded through the EMIZ process must be spent by March 2025.  Though due to delays in awarding the funds this was being negotiated further into 2025-2026.

Moved by Councillor John Ritchie and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that: 1) the funding of £249,914.25 from East Midlands Investment Zone be accepted,

2)    RLB Rider Levett Bucknall be appointed to deliver the project on behalf of Bolsover District Council.

Reasons for Recommendation

The first phase of the project would support officers across the Council and Dragonfly, develop the Green Skills Hub proposals at Portland Drive, Shirebrook, maximise its potential by ensuring the training and the facilities it would offer drove inclusive growth within the local economy and wider region by making sure the services it would offer were directly relevant to local residents, local communities, local colleges and universities and local businesses.

If the first phase of the project were successful, there was the potential to obtain additional funding for a follow-on project that would support the kit out of the building and its future operations including delivery of training courses.

However, the short timelines for award of the grant and spend meant that making a direct award of a contract to RLB to undertake part of the project was the only viable option, also considering the appointment of RLB to deliver the project would build on the recent projects they had delivered across green skills and retrofit.

Alternative Options and Reasons for Rejection

To withdraw the application for funding and return the award, would not stop the development of the Green Skills Hub, but would reduce its potential, and the development of the curriculum, and courses would still need to be undertaken.  Additional resource funding, staff time and additional capital expenditure on kit would be needed to complete this exercise without the funding from EMIZ.

Councillor Fritchley noted this was his last Executive meeting as Leader of the Council and Councillor McGregor as Deputy Leader.  He thanked everyone for their support over the previous six years and wished the new Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet all the best and success for the future.  Councillor McGregor echoed these comments and stated that he and Councillor Fritchley would be around to support the new Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet.

Councillor Sandra Peake thanked Councillor Fritchley and McGregor and wished them all the best for the future.