Cabinet Member Report
Decision Maker:
Cabinet Member for Business
Date:
1 May 2013
Classification:
For General Release
Title:
URBACT Markets (February 2013-April 2015)
Wards Affected:
All Wards
Key Decision:
Yes
Financial Summary:
This project brings in EU resources to explore and
develop the potential of local markets as drivers for local
economic development and regeneration
Report of:
Strategic Director Built Environment
1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1
This report outlines the Sustainable Urban Markets project (URBACT Markets) and
seeks the approval of the Cabinet Member for Business to sign the Joint Convention for
the Implementation Phase of this project on behalf of the Cross River Partnership (CRP).
The Implementation Phase follows the Development Phase, and the Cabinet Member for
Business signed a letter of intent dated 23rd October 2012, confirming Westminster City
Council’s (WCC)/CRP’s participation in the project.
1.2
The total budget of the activities to be delivered by WCC/CRP is €77,039 (circa £66,122)
of which 30% (€23,112) will be provided by CRP– See section 6 of this report.
2.
RECOMMENDATION
2.1
That the Cabinet Member signs the URBACT Markets Joint Convention (Grant
Agreement with EU funding body).
3.
REASONS FOR DECISION
3.1
The project will bring in external EU resources to explore and develop the potential of
local markets as drivers for local economic development and regeneration by
exchanging experiences and knowledge with eight European partner cities.
4.
BACKGROUND, INCLUDING POLICY CONTEXT
4.1
Cross River Partnership (CRP) is a partner in the URBACT Markets project led by the
City of Barcelona. URBACT Markets will aim at exchanging ideas on how cities can
develop the potential of retail markets as drivers for local economic development and
regeneration. The project will explore the links between local sustainability and
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successful markets focusing on their economic, cultural and social role within cities, as
well as potential for increased environmental sustainability.
4.2
CRP is one of the original partners in the project, having fully participated in the
Development phase of the URBACT Markets project (May-October 2012), following
approval of the Cabinet Member for Business (see Appendix 1).
4.3
The project supports the Council’s ‘Better City/Better Lives’ ambition of ‘An Enterprising
City’ in that it will help to support ‘businesses of every size to thrive and succeed’.
5.
URBACT MARKETS
5.1
The project will establish a Local Support Group composed of all Central London
partners and key stakeholders (see section 5.2 below) which will contribute to the
development of a London Local Action Plan for Markets. The Local Action Plan will
establish a roadmap and a range of solutions to tackle the core issues identified at the
start of the project. It will also seek to influence legislation and policies to maximise
London’s benefit from sustainable urban markets. There is a strong focus on achieving
tangibles benefits as a result of the project.
5.2
Project Partnership
CRP partners and key stakeholders that compose the London Local Support Group
include to date:
-
5.3
5.4
Local authority representatives from Camden, City of London, Islington, Kensington
& Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark and Westminster;
Business Improvement District representatives from Better Bankside, Camden Town
Unlimited; Heart of London; South Bank Employers Group (SBEG); Team London
Bridge; VauxhallOne and Waterloo Quarter;
Markets Managing Authorities and Associations: Borough Market; Camden Lock
Market/The Urban Market Company; the Association of London Markets (and the
National Association of British Markets), Brixton Village CIC, and;
The Greater London Authority
The eight European Partner cities engaged in the project are Barcelona, Spain (Lead
Partner); Dublin, Ireland; Pecs, Hungary; Suceava, Romania; Turin, Italy; Toulouse,
France; Region of Attica, Greece and Wroclaw, Poland.
Project outputs
WCC/CRP will be responsible for delivering the following key outputs for this project:
-
a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) assessment of
markets in central London, including review of local authority policy and legislation to
better understand their impacts on markets development,
the elaboration of a thematic guidance on markets as drivers for low carbon
economy and local supply chains development,
the development of a Central London Action Plan for Markets.
The URBACT initiative could go further and explore opportunities for:
- Training for market management and development officers
- Sharing market management services between boroughs
- Expanded opportunities for market operators and traders
- Expanded opportunities for start-up businesses and support networks
- Delivery services for markets including cycle delivery in some central London areas
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6.
BUSINESS PLAN IMPLICATIONS
6.1
The Sustainable Markets project is in line with the Built Environment Business Plan
objective for 2012/13, and in particular Service Priority 2 “Accommodate sustainable
growth and change in Westminster whilst maintaining the historic character and integrity
of its townscapes”. The project will contribute to plans for the regeneration of markets in
Church Street, Tachbrook Street and Stratton Ground.
6.2
The project also supports the Leader’s vision - ‘Better City/Better Lives’ – launched on
7th March 2013 and, in particular, the ambition of ‘An Enterprising City’ in that it will help
to support ‘businesses of every size to thrive and succeed’
7.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
7.1
This report outlines the Sustainable Urban Markets project (URBACT Markets) and
seeks approval of the Cabinet Member for Business to sign the Joint Convention for the
Implementation Phase of this project on behalf of the Cross River Partnership. The
European Union URBACT programme provides 70% of match funding, the remaining
30% will be provided by the project partners.
7.2
The City Council’s contribution for the Implementation Phase of the project will be limited
to €23,112 for the 27 month duration (February 2013 – April 2015). This represents 30%
of €77,039 and will be met from existing staff costs (match funding in terms of officer
time). Funding will be used for the guidance/action plan outlined above.
7.3
Claims for funding will be submitted every six months, throughout the project period, and
will be based on actual expenditure incurred on the project. CRP officers have extensive
experience of delivering and monitoring grant claims from a range of external funding
sources including EU funding. Claims will be checked and approved by WCC Finance
Officers, and an internal auditor. This will maintain a robust audit trail.
8.
RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
8.1
CRP has almost 20 years experience of delivering and managing sub-regional projects
with partner boroughs and the private sector, which require complex delivery and
monitoring processes. Entering into the proposed agreement will involve agreeing the
grant conditions for EU funding. Grant will only be claimable in relation to eligible
evidenced expenditure, as set out in each budget category and budget line.
9.
STAFFING IMPLICATIONS
9.1
The project will be managed, coordinated and delivered by existing CRP staff.
10.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
10.1
The City Council is a partner for the project, which is managed by CRP. A draft Joint
Convention between Westminster City Council (as the accountable body for CRP) and
the lead partner Barcelona has been issued – see Appendix 2.
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COMMUNICATIONS IMPLICATIONS
11.1
URBACT Markets will contribute to the dissemination of the Council’s activities in
relation to Westminster markets to a wider local audience. The project will also help
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identify project champions within the borough and promote them at local and European
level.
12.
CONCLUSIONS AND REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED DECISION
12.1
It is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Business approves and signs the
URBACT Markets Joint Convention (Grant Agreement with EU funding body).
If you have any queries about this Report or wish to inspect any of the Background
Papers please contact: Marion Cugnet, Project Manager, mcugnet@westminster.gov.uk,
Tel 020 7641 2944 / Mobile: 07590 851938
APPENDICES
1. URBACT Markets Letter of Intent signed by the Cabinet Member for Business on 23rd
October 2012
2. URBACT Markets Joint Convention
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For completion by the Cabinet Member for Business
Declaration of Interest
I have <no interest to declare / to declare an interest> in respect of this report
Signed:
Date:
NAME:
State nature of interest if any …………………………………………………………..……
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(N.B: If you have an interest you should seek advice as to whether it is appropriate to make a decision in
relation to this matter)
For the reasons set out above, I agree the recommendation(s) in the report entitled
URBACT Markets (February 2013-April 2015).
Signed ………………………………………………
Cabinet Member for Business
Date …………………………………………………
If you have any additional comment which you would want actioned in connection with
your decision you should discuss this with the report author and then set out your
comment below before the report and this pro-forma is returned to the Secretariat for
processing.
Additional comment: …………………………………….……………………………………
……………………………………………………………………..……………………………
If you do not wish to approve the recommendations, or wish to make an alternative
decision, it is important that you consult the report author, the Head of Legal and
Democratic Services, Chief Operating Officer and, if there are staffing implications, the
Director of Human Resources (or their representatives) so that (1) you can be made
aware of any further relevant considerations that you should take into account before
making the decision and (2) your reasons for the decision can be properly identified and
recorded, as required by law.
Note to Cabinet Member: Your decision will now be published and copied to the
Members of the relevant Policy & Scrutiny Committee. If the decision falls within the
criteria for call-in, it will not be implemented until five working days have elapsed from
publication to allow the Policy and Scrutiny Committee to decide whether it wishes to
call the matter in.
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