Agenda item

The report of the Executive Manager – Communities is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the RIBA stage 4 design and cost plan recommended by the Member Group as detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report, which is in line with the approved budget be approved;

b)   the Procurement Strategy as recommended by the Member Group to use the Procurement Partnerships Framework be approved;

c)   responsibility for proceeding to tender be delegated to the Executive Manager for Communities in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

d)   a report be brought back to Cabinet with the outcome of any tender exercise to seek approval for any phasing of the build, the procurement timetable and to appoint a construction contractor; and 

e) negotiation and completion of the Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail be delegated to the Executive Manager for Communities in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, the Monitoring Officer, the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation presented the report of the Executive Manager – Communities providing an update on the next stage of development of a leisure centre, community hall and office buildings at Chapel Lane, Bingham.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation clarified that the Cabinet report had been published prior to the last meeting of the Bingham Leisure Centre Member Working Group.  The Member Working Group was advised that any views it had would be considered when the report was discussed at Cabinet.  He advised that the recommendation would be amended to reflect the views of the Member Working Group and those would be detailed with the proposals for the recommendation. 

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation stated that notwithstanding any impact of Covid-19, it was recognised that the new facilities were an important part of the infrastructure of an expanding community.  The Council was eager to continue to deliver major projects; however, it should be recognised that questions continued to be raised on the office market of the future.  At this stage the Council was looking to approve the step of a detailed tender based on approved RIBA stage 4 designs and cost plans.  Some costs had risen; although the overall costs were still in line with the original budget of £20m.  Variations to forecast costs were detailed in the report.  The recommendations also covered the advice given by the Council’s outside consultants to consider when the tender was issued, taking into account cost uncertainties in the short term as the building industry stabilised.  It also covered the agreement of the Member working Group that the preferred procurement route should be through the Procurement Partnerships Framework as opposed to the traditional ‘Official Journal of the European Union’ (OJEU) procurement process.  It was recommended that a Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) was entered into with Network Rail, which was standard practice to protect both parties when work was being undertaken in proximity to a railway line.  

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation proposed the recommendation as outlined in the report, subject to the following amendments to parts c) and e) to reflect the views of the Member Working Group:

c) responsibility for proceeding to tender be delegated to the Executive Manager for Communities in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

e)  negotiation and completion of the Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail be delegated to the Executive Manager for Communities in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, the Monitoring Officer, the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

In seconding the recommendation, including the amendments to recommendations c) and e), Councillor Inglis acknowledged the hard work undertaken by everyone involved in the project, and stated the importance for Bingham and its catchment area to have good leisure facilities as the current leisure centre was no longer fit for purpose.  The proposal would provide a valuable community asset, not just for sport, with the inclusion of office space and a large community hall receiving major funding from the Bingham Community Chest and Section 106 contributions.  The Council was mindful of the economic impact of Covid-19; however, it was committed to providing new indoor leisure facilities supported by the excellent relationship with the Toothill Academy for the continued use of the outdoor sports amenities there.  The report highlighted the work already achieved and the continued positivity and agreement at all levels to move forward.  As with all major projects there were risks, some manageable, with others highlighted as unforeseen; however, options to revise the design were in place to meet any emerging factors. 

Councillor Robinson reiterated the thanks given to the cross-party Member Working Group, which had been regularly meeting for the past 12 months and the input of all consultees had been particularly valuable.  Whilst the current financial situation was difficult, the Council was making a big statement and commitment to continue with the project and provide the best facilities for local residents in Bingham and the surrounding areas.   

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the RIBA stage 4 design and cost plan recommended by the Member Group as detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report, which is in line with the approved budget be approved;

b) the Procurement Strategy as recommended by the Member Group to use the Procurement Partnerships Framework be approved;

c)   responsibility for proceeding to tender be delegated to the Executive Manager for Communities in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

d) a report be brought back to Cabinet with the outcome of any tender exercise to seek approval for any phasing of the build, the procurement timetable and to appoint a construction contractor; and 

e) negotiation and completion of the Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail be delegated to the Executive Manager for Communities in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, the Monitoring Officer, the Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Finance.