Agenda, decisions and minutes

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, councillors are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

No disclosures of interests were made.

To answer any questions asked by the public which are relevant to the functions of the Cabinet.

Public Question Time will be concluded by the Chair when all questions have been answered or on the expiry of a period of 15 minutes, whichever is the earlier.

There were no questions from the public.

The Monitoring Officer will report on any responses to representations received in relation to why item(s) 7: Town Hall Site Redevelopment Phase 2 & Phase 1 Final Account should not be held in Part B Business – (Closed to the Public).

It was reported that no representations had been received in respect of agenda item 5: Town Hall Site Redevelopment Phase 2 & Phase 1 Final Account Confidential Part B

To consider any matters referred to the Cabinet (whether by a scrutiny committee or by the Council) and those for reconsideration in accordance with the provisions contained in the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Budget Procedure Rules and the Policy Framework Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.

It was confirmed that no matters had been referred to the Cabinet for further consideration.

The Committee is asked to consider passing the following resolution:-

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraphs specified against the item.

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraph specified against the item.

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraph specified against the item.

Exempt Paragraphs 3 & 5

Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information); and

Information in respect of which a claim to legal privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

To consider report DCE/17 of the Deputy Chief Executive, which was referred to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 10 July 2023.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

a)      notes the decision to rescind the Project Agreement in relation to Phase 2 of the Town Hall Site Redevelopment, taken after informing the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition

b)      agrees to undertake an options appraisal on preparing the Phase 2 site for redevelopment, and subject to agreement of funding by the Full Council, delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the authority to proceed.

c)       agree to settle the Final Account for the New Town Hall building as set out in Section 5.8 to 5.16 subject to agreement of funding by the Full Council

d)      delegates authority to Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to finalise the remaining financial matters as set out in Section 5.17 to 5.21.

That Full Council be recommended to approve:

a)      a supplementary capital estimate of £750,000 for the preparation of the old Town Hall site for redevelopment. Funded from existing capital resources and to note that there may be future borrowing for the current capital programme.

b)      a supplementary capital estimate of £1.735m in respect of the Town hall project, funded from existing capital reserves. In addition to transfer the budget and amend funding in respect of the Phase 2 housing budget to the Town Hall project.

Reasons for the Recommendations

In February 2017, the Council agreed the deliverables of the Town Hall Site redevelopment, the budget lines to achieve this, and the delegated powers to develop and proceed with the development (set out in more detail in Section 4). This report provides an update for Members at a key milestone and seeks approval to allow the finalisation of Phase 1, and to progress with Phase 2 of the project.

Exempt Paragraphs 3 & 5

Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information); and

Information in respect of which a claim to legal privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

The Leader presented report DCE/17of the Deputy Chief Executive.  The report provided an update on the project and sought approval for the next steps.

Councillor Ayling presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 10 July 2023, which included:

·         The key milestones and processes which had taken place throughout the project were highlighted, together with the mechanisms in place to monitor and manage the deliverables.

·         Confirmation was provided on the financial aspects for each phase, together with the legal considerations.

·         Clarification was sought and obtained on the detail of the current and future options available, along with any opportunities that afforded the Council.

·         It was acknowledged that any redevelopment would provide a benefit for the Council and residents. However, the risks involved were recognised, together with the importance for all Councillors to be kept informed about the project. It was confirmed that there had been and continued to be, Executive level oversight.

·         There was general support for an options appraisal to be undertaken with regards to the Phase 2 site for redevelopment.

Councillors Nawaz, C Mullins, Rana, S Mullins spoke as part of the discussion in support of the report which included seeking several clarifications from the Deputy Chief Executive.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

a)      notes the decision to rescind the Project Agreement in relation to Phase 2 of the Town Hall Site Redevelopment, taken after informing the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition

b)      agrees to undertake an options appraisal on preparing the Phase 2 site for redevelopment, and subject to agreement of funding by the Full Council, delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the authority to proceed.

c)       agree to settle the Final Account for the New Town Hall building as set out in Section 5.8 to 5.16 subject to agreement of funding by the Full Council

d)      delegates authority to Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to finalise the remaining financial matters as set out in Section 5.17 to 5.21.

That Full Council be recommended to approve:

a)      a supplementary capital estimate of £750,000 for the preparation of the old Town Hall site for redevelopment. Funded from existing capital resources and to note that there may be future borrowing for the current capital programme.

b)      a supplementary capital estimate of £1.735m in respect of the Town hall project, funded from existing capital reserves. In addition to transfer the budget and amend funding in respect of the Phase 2 housing budget to the Town Hall project.

Reasons for the Recommendations

In February 2017, the Council agreed the deliverables of the Town Hall Site redevelopment, the budget lines to achieve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.