Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Philip Whitehead, introduced the report regarding a request to undertake initial fitting out of the ground floor of the Grown On Space at the second phase building at the Porton Science Park in respect of Porton Biopharma Ltd, with agreements to secure the repaying of the full cost of the works.

The Cabinet discussed the report, supporting the proposals to assist the further development of the centre of excellence at the site. The Chairman of the Financial Planning Task Group, Councillor Pip Ridout, detailed questions which had been raised during scrutiny of the proposal and endorsed the proposals.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

That Cabinet,

1)    Agree that the Council undertakes the fit out of the Grow On Space at the Porton Collaborative Innovation Centre subject to the Council first entering into an Agreement for Lease with Porton Biopharma Limited, or such other document or documents as are required to ensure repayment of the fit out works;

2)    Delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Commercial Development (in consultation with the Legal Services, Procurement and the section 151 Officer as appropriate and the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, MCI and Communications and Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement and Commercial Investment) to enter into an agreement for lease, lease and such other legal document(s) (including any contracts for carrying out of the said fitting out works) as are required to give effect to the proposal set out in (1) above; and

3)    Allocates £1.4 million to cover the estimated costs of the fit out works in the 2021/22 capital programme.

Reason for Decision:

To support an important local employer and national contributor to public

health.

To secure an important tenant from the outset of opening the new Phase 2

building, thereby generating income and helping to promote the remainder of

the building and the wider science park.