Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 24 May 2012.

To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Finance Officer.

To consider the report of the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning, introduced the report which provided an update on the programme for the Salisbury Market Place Public Realm Improvement Project, and sought the Committee’s support to the programme.

It was noted that the proposals would be submitted for approval to the Salisbury Area Board at an Extraordinary meeting on 1 August.

It was also noted that plans to refurbish Salisbury City Hall were on hold pending the Salisbury Vision plans for the Maltings and Central Car Park.  It was confirmed that the site had not been forgotten and that City Hall was a success story, with ticket sales growing year on year.

Resolved

1.    The Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee supports the programme for the Salisbury Market Place Public Realm Improvement Project, and agrees that public opinion be sought on the proposals.

2.    The Committee notes that, following public consultation, Members will finalise the funding allocation, and delegate authority to the Service Director of Economy and Regeneration, in agreement with the Chief Finance Officer and in consultation with the Chair of the Community Area Board to negotiate further and agree terms with specified lead consultants to ensure quick delivery of the project or component parts.

Reason for Decision

To support the transformation of the Market Place into an attractive, vibrant,

high quality public space of which the city can be proud, and reflect its

important public function and historic setting.

To consider the attached report of the Corporate Director for Transformation and Resources.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler introduced the report which provided a comprehensive update on some of the Transformation Programme’s key improvement projects. Sarah Ward, Head of Strategic Asset Management, and Corporate Build Programme, presented the detail of the report.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee notes that the initial phases of the Transformation Programme are nearing conclusion and the successful outcomes that have been achieved.

Reason for Decision

To baseline the current programme progress in readiness to move forward with the next phases and highlight delivery so far.

To consider the attached report of the Corporate Director for Transformation and Resources.

Neil Ward, Head of Strategic Property Services, introduced the report which  updated the Committee on progress related to property disposals during the business plan period to date, and which outlined plans to deliver further disposals during the remaining period of the business plan. 

The Committee noted a small clarification to the proposals as set out in the report, whereby recommendation C would refer to Appendix C in addition to Appendix F.

Resolved

That the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee:

a.    Notes the progress made to date on property sales and community asset transfers in line with the expectations of the business plan;

b.    Notes the detailed list of property disposals contained in Appendix F;

c.    Confirms the authority to proceed with the disposal of properties listed in Appendices C and F, and delegates the completion of necessary legal transactions to Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director, or as permitted by the scheme of delegation;

d.    Notes the attached interim gateway process at Appendix G and approves its immediate adoption.

Reasons for Decision

To provide clarity as to the full extent of the approved programme of property disposals, and to confirm that all necessary legal authority is in place to complete property transactions in a timely manner.

To consider the attached report of the Corporate Director For Transformation and Resources.

To consider the attached report of the Service Director – Strategy and Commissioning.

Janet O’Brien, Head of New Housing, introduced the report which set out details of a project to deliver 50 gypsy and traveller sites.

This was a revised project, based on the reduced funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and confirmation was being sought from the HCA as to what level of funding the revised project would receive.

In order to consider the details of the various options as set out in the options paper, the meeting moved into closed session, as the document contained Exempt information.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in the following items because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

To consider the attached appendix (exempt from publication) in relation to item 11 above.

Noted the Part II appendix to the report at item 11 (minute 40 refers).

Resolved

That the Cabinet (Capital Assets Committee):

1.     Approves the recommendations within the options paper to proceed with the project based on Option 3 (preferred) or Option 2 to deliver 50 pitches providing the council receives appropriate agreement from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). 

2.     Approves the provision of borrowing as set out in the options paper to support delivery of the project which will be paid back through the service via increased rental income.

3.     Delegates authority to the Service Director for Strategy and Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste, Property, Environment and Development Control Services to enter into a framework agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to deliver 40 refurbished and 10 new gypsy and traveller pitches by March 2015 with capital grant funding provided by the HCA.

4.     Delegates authority to the Service Director for Strategy and Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste, Property, Environment and Development Control Services to enter into a contract to deliver the newbuild works for the 50 pitches.

5.     Delegates authority to the Service Director for Strategy and Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for waste, property, environment and development control services to enter into any associated legal agreements or procurement activities to enable the delivery of the project.

6.     Notes that any response from the HCA which presents a significant departure from the funding arrangements for options 2 or 3, would require a further report to the Committee to agree a way forward.

Reason for Decision

There were a number of drivers for pursuing the opportunity to secure grant funding to invest in existing and new gypsy and traveller pitches in Wiltshire.  These included;

(i)            The requirement to ensure the provision of good quality well managed sites

(ii)          The need to reduce unauthorised encampments

(iii)         The need to reduce unauthorised developments

These outcomes had been supported through the approval of the Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Strategy by Cabinet on 24 May 2010, traveller policies within the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy, the emerging Development Plan Document for Gypsy and Traveller sites and the internal audit report August 2011 relating to the provision of services to travellers by the Council.

To consider the attached appendix (exempt from publication) in relation to item 10 above.

To consider the attached appendices (exempt from publication) in relation to item 9 above.

Noted the Part II appendices to the report at item 9 (minute 38 refers).