Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from the Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE who was substituted by Cllr Philip Whitehead.

Cllr John Thomson, Vice-Chairman, in the Chair.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 19 January 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 19 January 2016 were presented and considered.

Resolved

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on the19 January 2016 be

There were no leaders announcements.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions can also be asked by members of the Council. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Will Oulton of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 9 March 2016. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

It was noted that no requests for public participation had been received

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.

There were no urgent items.

This is to give further notice in accordance with paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private.

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 Items Numbered 9,10,11 and 12 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.

Reason for taking item in private:

Paragraph 3 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would 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.

Reason for taking the item in private:

Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial information or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

No representations have been received as to why this item should not be held in private.

The meeting considered the information in the appendix made exempt from publication.

 Report by Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

 Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property, presented the report which provided an update on the progress of funded Growth Deal projects. The report sought confirmation and agreement from Cabinet Capital Assets Committee on the list of prioritised projects that the Council may pursue through future anticipated rounds of Growth Deals with Government (see paragraph 17). The report also requested that Cabinet Capital Assets Committee approves the process for approving and funding development costs for Local Growth Fund projects.

Resolved

1.    To note the progress of funded Growth Deal projects.

2.    To confirm the list of prioritised projects that the Council may pursue through future anticipated rounds of Growth Deals with Government.

3.    To approves the process for approving and funding development costs to enable projects to be developed to a level where they would stand a greater chance of securing funding through future anticipated rounds of Growth Deals with Government.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure that Wiltshire Council maximizes the benefits and opportunities associated with the Growth Deal programme in terms of delivering key infrastructure projects and building Wiltshire’s economy whilst managing the financial implications and associated risks to the organisation.

 Reort by Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property, presented the report which provided an update on the performance of the council owned and managed business park at Brydges Court, Ludgershall, and seek approval for the proposed method of repaying the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) provided loan under the Growing Places Infrastructure Fund (GPIF).

Resolved

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, to enter into negotiations with the SWLEP to agree a reasonable extension to the repayment term of the GPIF funding agreement, and to enable the Council to lease or sell the remaining unoccupied units on the scheme.

Reasons for Decision:

It is necessary for the Council to renegotiate the term of the existing GPIF agreement with the SWLEP to enable unoccupied units to be let or sold so that repayment of the grant can be made without incurring additional revenue pressure to the Council, while ensuring the economic benefits of the Brydges Court scheme at Ludgershall.

 Report by Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

 Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Strategic Transport and Strategic Property, and Councillor Toby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Operational Property and Waste, presented the report which asked the Committee to consider declaring 15 assets surplus and to authorise their sale at or above market value.

Resolved

To declare 15 assets listed in the report as assets held for sale.

To Authorise the Associate Director for People and Business to dispose of the assets at or above market value and on such terms as to be determined by the Associate Director for People and Business.

Reasons for Decision:

To declare assets surplus so that they can be sold in order to generate capital receipts in support of the council’s capital programme.