The report provided an update on the progress for delivering the Garage Site redevelopment proposal.

In September 2015 the committee granted approval to procure a Registered Provider (RP) developer framework, to acquire and redevelop Magdalen Gardens, and for redevelopment of Fawters Close for older people’s housing to remain in Council ownership.

By January 2016 with significant changes to the funding of local authorities, the Council sought to identify alternative revenue funding streams for the General Fund.  The Council were exploring how garage site redevelopment could generate revenue funding for the General Fund.  

The financial assessment was ongoing.  Whilst this was taking place, the procurement of an RP framework had been placed on hold pending the outcome of the assessment.  It was the intention that the Council would invest the Right To Buy Capital Receipts with the RP framework partners.  As it  was on hold, consultants had been commissioned to procure a building contractor for Fawters Close and Magdalen Gardens.  That would contribute towards the Council meeting in December 2016 Right To Buy Capital Receipt expenditure target.     

A separate project management tender would be undertaken to seek architectural advice, contracts administration and cost management throughout the construction process to completion and handover, as there would be no in-house development team. 

A report would be brought back to Committee in September 2016 with more information once options had been discussed with Members.  

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Cloke SECONDED the recommendations set out in the report be approved that: 

1.    Delegated authority was granted to seek tenders to produce a building contractor for the redevelopment Fawters Close and Magdalen Gardens.

2.    Delegated authority was granted to seek tenders to appoint consultants to provide architectural advice, contracts administration and cost management throughout the construction process to completion and handover, as there was no in-house development team.

3.    Delegated authority was granted to the Chief Executive and Finance Director in consultation with the Chair of Environment and Housing Management Committee to award the building contract to the successful building contractor within the approved budget. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The council would progress the design to tender and the procurement of a building contractor for Fawters Road and Magdalen Gardens directly, pending the outcome of the financial assessment.

It would contribute towards the council meeting its Right To Buy Capital Receipt expenditure targets for December 2016.