Issue - meetings

Report by Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Cllr Fleur De Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Property, presented the report which presented a business case for the refurbishment and extension of the Old Fire Station building, Salt Lane, Salisbury, to enable the Enterprise Centre currently operating from the building at over capacity to grow and provide further needed incubation space for new enterprises in the city.

The meeting considered the exempt information in part two of the meeting, prior to making the following resolution:

Resolved

1.    To approve the business case for the extension of the Old Fire Station Enterprise Centre

2.    To delegate authority to the Associate Director for Economic Development and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property and Cabinet Member Strategic Planning and Development Management), Operational Property, Waste and Strategic Housing to take forward the business case according to the options set out in the report, noting that if Council funding is required the proposal will be brought back to Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:

The Old Fire Station building is currently underused and the Enterprise Centre is oversubscribed having already demonstrated considerable success in providing a much needed service, assisting business growth and generating jobs. There is a lack of business workspace in the centre of Salisbury as a result of commercial pressure to convert property to residential use. This risks having a knock on effect of decreasing the overall vitality and attractiveness of the retail core. Providing for and stimulating the demand for office space for new start-ups will have considerable economic benefit for the area while maximising the usage of one of the Council’s assets.