Issue - meetings

To seek approval of the general fund capital programme for the years 2016/17 to 2019/20. Consideration was given to this report by the Joint meeting of Finance & Performance and the Scrutiny Commission on 30 January and an extract from the minutes of that meeting is attached.

Further to the discussion on the finance reports (minute 371 refers), it was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Morrell that the recommendations within the Capital Programme 2016/17 to 2019/20 be approved. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on this item was recorded and taken as follows:

Councillors Bill, Boothby, Bray, Camamile, Cartwright, Cook, Mr Cope, Mrs Cope, Crooks, Hall, Hodgkins, Hollick, Kirby, Ladkin, Lynch, Morrell, Nichols, Nickerson, O’Shea, Richards, Rooney, Surtees, Sutton, Taylor, Wallace, Ward, Williams, Witherford and Wright voted FOR the motion (29).

There were no votes against the motion.

The motion was declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            The proposed capital programme for the years 2016/17 to 2019/20 be approved;

(ii)           The growth bids detailed within the report be approved.

To present the general fund capital programme for 2016/17 – 2019/20 for recommendation to Council.

The capital programme for 2016/17 to 2019/20 was presented to members. The cost of the leisure centre demolition being far lower than budgeted and the expenditure under the Developing Communities Fund of £700k in year one and a further £700k in year two were highlighted. A member suggested that the spending of £1.4m under the Developing Communities Fund in two years was ambitious.

It was noted that a procurement process had been undertaken in relation to the leisure centre, and the low costs of the winning tender had been realised, assisted by the high value of the equipment within the building. The ward councillor thanked officers and the contractor for the way the demolition had been managed, including the level of communication with the community. It was reported that the options for the site were still under discussion, and it was asked that ward councillors be kept informed and that the options be brought to the Scrutiny Commission when available.

A member noted the provision for accommodating the Hansom Cab within the frontage of the former Coop building and asked if that was an indication that the council was retaining the building. In response it was noted that the housing of the Hansom Cab was a medium term arrangements and that options were still being considered for the Coop site.

In relation to the former depot site on Middlefield Lane, a member expressed the need for it to be developed as soon as possible as it was becoming an untidy site.

RESOLVED –

(i)            the report be noted

(ii)           a report on options for the former leisure centre site be brought to the Scrutiny Commission in due course.