Issue - meetings

Crystal Palace ward

The Chairman to move that this report be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the deadline for confirming support for the recommendations of the Strategic Investment Pot evaluation panel.

Report DRR19/058

It was agreed that this report be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the deadline for confirming support for the recommendations of the Strategic Investment Pot evaluation panel. The Chairman of the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee confirmed that he had agreed that the report should be considered as urgent, and suggested that the call-in period be started as soon as possible.

During 2019/20, the GLA and the 33 London billing authorities were continuing to pilot 75% business rates retention. This allowed London to retain extra funding, with £39.9m in a Strategic Investment Pot (SIP) in 2019/20. During the summer of 2019 all the London authorities had been invited to bid for monies from the Strategic Investment Pot (SIP) fund for projects that achieved the fund’s aims:

·  To contribute to the sustainable growth of London’s economy

·  To leverage additional investment funding

·  To have broad support across London government

The fund’s preference was for collaborative bids over broader areas than just a single borough. Consequently the restoration of the Crystal Palace Subway was identified as a project that matched the funding criteria.

The Subway was partly owned by Southwark Council; it was a Grade II* listed building located under Crystal Palace Parade. It was in extensive disrepair and was on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register. The restoration of the subway was expected to cost £3.84m in total, although some of the works had already taken place - the Council’s Highway Team had undertaken stabilisation works funded by Transport for London, and LB Southwark had funded the restoration of the terrace to secure access to the subway. Further funding was anticipated from Historic England, the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway and Transport for London - no funding was required by the Council.

As Design and Heritage Champion, Councillor Nicholas Bennett supported the scheme and hoped that it would lead to the subway being open to the public much more often. The Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing thanked Lydia Lee for her work in securing the funding. The Leader asked that Councillors Bennett and Morgan be kept closely informed of progress.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Strategic Investment Pot evaluation panel, as set out in the Consultation Report (Appendix 1 to the report) be supported.