Decision details

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Rural Growth Deal (RGD) and specifically costs associated with project development and followed on from the report presented to the Policy and Resources Committee on 5 December 2024.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.     agreed that the Council increase the amount set aside from the Priorities Investment Fund from £0.700m to £0.850m to cash flow the development costs for the Council, noting that the cash flow support would be fully paid back by the end of Year 10; and

2.     delegated to the Internal Programme Board (Chief Executive and Executive Directors), in consultation with the Leader and Depute Leaders to approve pre-development funding requests relating to Council led projects up to a maximum threshold of 15% of each project, subject to there being sufficient cash flow available, noting that this was an increase to the £0.250m threshold agreed in December 2024.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 22 July 2025, submitted)