Agenda item

Brimscombe Port Redevelopment

To set out the procurement and decision-making process to select a preferred tenderer from the three prospective tenderers to bring forward the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port, update members on the current position with demolition works, the proposed community centre for the site and with the Homes England Loan Agreement.

Minutes:

The Head of Property Services advised that the reports that the Committee were considering were a culmination of the last 8 years of focused work to de-risk and bring forward the brownfield site for development. The report focused on the procurement process to secure a developer for the site and how the decision would be made later tonight on whether to select the preferred bidder.

 

The Head of Property Services gave a brief overview of the report and introduced the following key elements:

  • The competitive dialogue process followed had been set out in section 2 and summarised in Appendix E
  • The output specification and tender evaluation matrix had been included in the appendices.
  • Section 3 set out the legal and commercial reasons and the need for confidentiality of the preferred bidder’s name to be retained until the standstill period had expired.
  • Any subsequent appointment would be subject to Homes England approval.
  • Section 4 contains an update on the community facility and the position with the Parish Council, Officers would be meeting their working group to discuss the position further.
  • Section 5 provides an update on Homes England
  • Members were being asked to approve the Heads of Terms of the Development Agreement.
  • Section 7 provided an update on the demolition works, 98.5% of the material by tonnage was recycled or reused.
  • Current budget position was set out in the table, there was currently a shortfall forecasted on the budget however, future surplus income from management of the site was expected to offset this.
  • Meetings with the developer were being arranged, there would be time for the local community to engage and feedback in addition to the formal planning permission process.

 

Councillor Turner asked who would have oversight of the community engagement plan. The Head of Property Services confirmed that the developer would have responsibility for delivering on community engagement and the Project Board would have oversight.

 

Councillor Pearson raised concerns regarding any changes to the budget that may come about from community engagement. The Head of Property Services confirmed that any changes during the process of community engagement or planning permission could affect the budget.

 

In response to Councillor Turner the Head of Property Services confirmed that the Parish Council had been making their views clear in recent meetings regarding the community facility. It was advised that the Parish Council had not yet seen the proposal and that community facilities were really important not only for the local community but for visitors to the Port. It was confirmed that there were opportunities to discuss this further with the Parish Council and Officers recognised that the Parish Council was small and they would continue supporting them.

 

Proposed by Councillor Turner and seconded by Councillor Pearson.

 

Councillor Pearson expressed his wish to see Brimscombe Port developed and advised that it was one of the reasons that the heritage lottery funding was granted and therefore they needed to ensure it was completed.

 

Councillor Braun thanked officers for the work they had undertaken to reach this milestone and advised that she looked forward to the next steps with further public engagement.

 

Councillor Hurst confirmed that he was in support with this report but expressed some concerns that he would raise during the next item.

 

Councillor Aldam, Ward Councillor, thanked the Officers for all of their work on the project and confirmed that the appointed developer would need to engage meaningfully with the community and that it was important that community voices were heard.

 

Councillor Turner stated that she was excited for them to move to a phase of delivery and to see community engagement included, she offered her thanks to Officers for all of their work and for talking Members through the project with such care.

 

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously

 

RESOLVED TO

1)    Delegate authority to the Head of Property Services to agree amendments to the Homes England Funding Agreement in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources and the Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee.

2)    Support Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council’s continuing work with regard to the delivery of a community centre within the site.

3)    Note the completion of the competitive dialogue stage, (by the procurement team) of the previously approved procurement process to select a preferred tenderer for this site.

4)    Approve the draft Heads of Terms for the Development Agreement at Appendix F to this report.

5)    Welcome and support the next steps and the start of the developer’s public engagement programme set out in paragraph 8.0.

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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