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.
Decision:
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.
Minutes:
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 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.
Supporting documents: