Members

• Carol Pyrah, Chair
• Catherine Mugonyi 
• Jim Cokill
• John Williams
• Stephen Welsh
• Sue Mendus

Apologies

• Anita Wan
• Zulf Ahmed

Committee business

1. Welcomes, introductions and apologies

Carol Pyrah, Committee Chair, welcomed all and invited staff and committee members to introduce themselves.

2. Chair’s report

The Chair provided an update on recent activities.

3. Minutes from the last meeting on 14 September 2022    

The Committee agreed the minutes as an accurate record of the meeting. The Chair signed the minutes after the meeting.

4. Matters arising from the minutes

There were no matters arising from the minutes that would not be addressed within the agenda.

5. Corporate update

The Executive Director for Business Delivery presented the Corporate Update.

6. Strategy and Place

The Committee received a presentation on strategy and place.

7. Area overview report

The Executive Director for Business Delivery presented the report and pulled out key highlights.

The Head of Engagement provided the Committee with an overview of the budget and outlined the cases to be presented at the meeting.

8. Declarations of interest

Catherine Mugonyi declared a conflict of interest with Item 5, Corporate Update due to the mention of the Blackpool HAZ. It was agreed that she did not need to leave the room for any items.

John Williams declared a conflict of interest with Item 9, Peacock and Verity as he was previously a Board member at Karbon Homes. As he had no involvement in this application and was no longer a Board member it was agreed that he did not need to leave room for any items.

SFF Development round applications for discussion and decision

9. Peacock and Verity, Masham

Applicant: Peacock & Verity Community Spaces Ltd

Request: Award a Development Grant of £71,850 (88%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £712,415 (38%)

Project: This time restricted, Heritage Enterprise application will purchase and transform a derelict building in Masham into a community asset and deliver a range of training and heritage activities.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Development Grant of £71,850 (88%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £712,415 (38%)

10. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

Applicant: Sunderland City Council

Request: Award a Development Grant of £299,425 (48%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £4,655,882 (37%)

Project: The project will deliver a capital programme of repair works and create a new visitor offer focused on the ground floor, through new galleries, facilities and learning space. An activities programme will seek to make better connections across the Museum, Winter Gardens and Park.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Development Grant of £299,425 (48%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £4,655,882 (37%) 

11. St Chad's - Revitalising Heritage as a Community Safe Haven

Applicant: Parish of Bensham and Teams: St. Chad

Request: Development Grant of £101,600 (75%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £1,936,064 (82%)

Project: This project will complete roof repairs at the Church of St Chad, Bensham, Gateshead and undertake internal refurbishment work to create a community and social enterprise hub. Engagement activities will be developed to promote the heritage of the area, and support services will also be provided for the local community.

The Committee for England, North REJECTED a Development Grant of £101,600 (75%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £1,936,064 (82%)

12. Engineering the Future

Applicant: Canal & River Trust

Request: Award a Development Grant of £574,123 (52%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £4,363,938 (35%)

Project: The project will deliver a capital programme of major restoration works and create new visitor facilities alongside a comprehensive activity, volunteer and training programme.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Development Grant of £574,123 (52%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £4,363,938 (35%)

13. Furness Abbey: People and Peninsula   

Applicant: The English Heritage Trust

Request: Award a Development Grant of £171,177 (61%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £1,626,019 (65%)

Project: The English Heritage Trust (EH) will reconfigure and upgrade the Furness Abbey Visitor Centre and Museum (VC&M). Interpretation will be co-designed with the community to provide an improved and more accessible visitor experience.

The Committee for England, North REJECTED a Development Grant of £171,177 (61%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £1,626,019 (65%)

14. Coastlands

Applicant: Northumberland Coast AONB

Request: Award a Development Grant of £221,800 (77%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £3,017,700 (78%)

Project: This area-based scheme will focus on the conservation of the Northumberland Coast AONB's cultural and natural heritage, from Amble to Howick, expanding the diversity of its audiences with a focus on providing opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

The Committee for England, North REJECTED a Development Grant of £221,800 (77%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £3,017,700 (78%)

15. NL-21-00118 – 'Recreating the Vision' - the Saltburn Valley Gardens Conservation Project   

Applicant: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

Request: Award a Development Grant of £285,028 (86%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £2,628,908 (87%)

Project: Working in close partnership, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council (R&CBC) and Saltburn Valleys Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SVCIO) will restore and enhance the Grade II registered Saltburn Valley Gardens. A wide range of local people and tourists will be engaged, particularly focusing on: older people; people with disabilities; young adults; residents of local areas experiencing deprivation; diverse ethnic communities; the LGBTQ+ community; and schools/youth groups.

The Committee for England, North REJECTED a Development Grant of £285,028 (86%) and a potential Delivery Grant of £2,628,908 (87%)

Prioritisation and feedback for Delivery round items

The Committee voted to award the following project applications:

• Peacock and Verity, Masham
• Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
• Engineering the Future

The Committee recommended that Coastlands was given clear feedback and encouraged to resubmit.

SFF Delivery round applications for discussion and decision

16. Roman Magna on Hadrian's Wall - Creating a Living Legacy at The Fort on the Rock 

Applicant: The Vindolanda Trust

Request: Award a Delivery Grant of £1,625,500 (65%)

Project: This 5-year project will uncover and preserve the significant Magna site on Hadrian's Wall and bring its diverse and untold heritage to life for a wider audience through improving its accessibility.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Delivery Grant of £1,625,500 (65%)

17. Stockton and Darlington Railway  

Applicant: Darlington Borough Council

Request: Award Delivery Grant of £3,211,632 (49%) 

Project: This five year project will contribute to the development of the Darlington Rail Heritage Quarter and deliver activity that will engage the public with the heritage of the Stockton to Darlington Railway in the lead up to its bi-centenary in 2025 and beyond.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Delivery Grant of £3,211,632 (49%)

18. Cheshire's archives: a story shared 

Applicant: Cheshire West & Chester Council

Request: Award a Delivery Grant of £4,455,100 (17%)

Project: This four year project will relocate Cheshire Archives and Local Studies from Cheshire Record Office, Chester, a building no longer fit-for-purpose, to two new history centres in Chester and Crewe. The project features community outreach across the county, activity programming at the centres and collections’ conservation, digitisation and interpretation.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Delivery Grant of £4,455,100 (17%)

SF4 Delivery round applications for discussion and decision

19. Gateway at Trinity - a centre of arts, heritage and community 

Applicant: Gateway Studio Project

Request: Award a Delivery Grant of £1,366,900 (48%)

Project: This 16-month Heritage Enterprise project will sensitively repair and restore the former Holy Trinity Church and bring it back into use as a permanent home for Gateway Studio to deliver its programmes of dance education and provide a new community café and event space for associated arts and community activity.

The Committee for England, North AWARDED a Delivery Grant of £1,366,900 (48%)

20. Prioritisation and feedback for Delivery round items

Prioritisation was not required.

Any other business

The Chair thanked all for their contributions to papers and the meeting.

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