Issue - meetings

The material relevant to this item is the report and its appendices contained in the restricted supplementary Cabinet agenda pack for 3 December 2019.

The report contains the following recommendation for the Cabinet to make to the Council:

Following “standstill” and dealing with any issues arising, and confirmation that WSCC have cleared their own governance processes, including call-in, that the Council select Developer A on Heads of Terms shown in Appendix 1 to deliver the Southern Gateway Masterplan regeneration project pursuant to the outcome of the Evaluation Report at Appendix 2 once matters of detail are finalised with the bidder.

The Chairman invited Mr Bell to introduce the report and referred members to the restricted supplement to the Cabinet agenda for 3 December 2019. Mr Over introduced two consultants who had been advising the council on the project who explained further detail regarding the recommendation contained within the report.

Mr Over and the consultants then responded to member’s questions and comments.

During the debate Mr Plowman put forward a proposal to defer the item until the new year to address member’s comments regarding the need for additional time to consider the documents associated with the report. Mr Plowman later withdrew his proposal.

The Chairman temporarily left the room and the Vice-Chairman took the Chair during that time.

Mrs Lishman left the meeting prior to the vote.

Mr Moss requested a recorded vote which was agreed by the wider membership.

The results of the vote were as follows:

Clare Apel - Against

Tracie Bangert – Against

Graeme Barrett - For

Heather Barrie – Abstained

Martyn Bell - For

John-Henry Bowden - Against

Roy Briscoe - For

Jonathan Brown - Against

Tony Dignum - For

Janet Duncton - For

John W Elliott - For

Gareth Evans - Abstained

Judy Fowler - For

Norma Graves - For

Elizabeth Hamilton – For

Francis Hobbs – For

Kevin Hughes - Abstained

Donna Johnson - Against

Tim Johnson - Against

Eileen Lintill - For

Sarah Lishman – left before the vote so no vote

Gordon McAra - For

Adrian Moss - Abstained

Simon Oakley - For

Kate O’Kelly - Against

David Palmer - For

Chris Page - For

Penny Plant – For

Richard Plowman – Against

Henry Potter - For

Carol Purnell – For

David Rodgers - Against

Sarah Sharp – For

Alan Sutton – For

Susan Taylor – For

Peter Wilding – For

Totals of 22 for, 9 against, 4 abstained and 1 no vote.

RESOLVED

Following “standstill” and dealing with any issues arising, and confirmation that WSCC have cleared their own governance processes, including call-in, that the Council select Developer A on Heads of Terms shown in Appendix 1 to deliver the Southern Gateway Masterplan regeneration project pursuant to the outcome of the Evaluation Report at Appendix 2 once matters of detail are finalised with the bidder.

The Chairman then formally closed the meeting and wished everyone a good Christmas.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendices and make the following recommendations to the Council (please note the report and appendices will follow):

1.    Following “standstill” and dealing with any issues arising, and confirmation that WSCC have cleared their own governance processes, including call-in, that the Council select Developer A on Heads of Terms shown in Appendix 1to deliver the Southern Gateway Masterplan regeneration project pursuant to the outcome of the Evaluation Report at Appendix 2 once matters of detail are finalised with the bidder.

2.    On the assumption that Council approve the selection of Developer A that Cabinet:

2.1. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive or the Director of Growth and Place, after consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team, the Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration, (and the Growth Lead at WSCC assuming WSCC are a party to the agreement) to approve and execute the Development Agreement based on Heads of Terms.

2.2. Approve the appointment of Jones Lang LeSalle and Browne Jacobson LLP to support the Council in the implementation of the project, funded from the cost undertaking to be entered into by the appointed development partner and/or the balance of One Public Estate (OPE) funding.

2.3. Subject to the appointment of a development partner that the land owned by the District Council be formally declared surplus to requirements and be offered up to support the regeneration on the terms set out in paragraph 6 and to remove the land from the Councils parking order at the appropriate time.

2.4. Note that authorise officers will investigate a “Land equalisation” proposal and bring forward options to a future Cabinet.

2.5. That the District Council requests WSCC to and County officers agree a scheme of delegation that enables District Council officers as project lead to grant consents required on behalf of WSCC provided there is no financial detriment to WSCC.

RESOLVED

On the assumption that Council approve the selection of Developer A that Cabinet:

1.    Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive or the Director of Growth and Place, after consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team, the Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration, (and the Growth Lead at WSCC assuming WSCC are a party to the agreement) to approve and execute the Development Agreement based on Heads of Terms.

2.    Approves the appointment of Jones Lang LeSalle and Browne Jacobson LLP to support the Council in the implementation of the project, funded from the cost undertaking to be entered into by the appointed development partner and/or the balance of One Public Estate (OPE) funding.

3.    Subject to the appointment of a development partner that the land owned by the District Council be formally declared surplus to requirements and be offered up to support the regeneration on the terms set out in paragraph 6 and to remove the land from the Councils parking order at the appropriate time.

4.    Notes that officers will investigate a “Land equalisation” proposal and bring forward options to a future Cabinet.

5.    That the District Council requests WSCC to agree a scheme of delegation that enables District Council officers as project lead to grant consents required on behalf of WSCC provided there is no financial detriment to WSCC.

6.    Accepts the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that Cabinet will liaise and agree with the selected developer on appropriate means of consultation so as to engage and involve both councillors and the community as detailed design and other proposals are developed.

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL

Following “standstill” and dealing with any issues arising, and confirmation that WSCC have cleared their own governance processes, including call-in, that the Council select Developer A on Heads of Terms shown in Appendix 1to deliver the Southern Gateway Masterplan regeneration project pursuant to the outcome of the Evaluation Report at Appendix 2 once matters of detail are finalised with the bidder.

Mr Bell introduced the item.

Mr Over then provided additional information. He also drew member’s attention to amendments to the recommendation:

·         Resolution 4 to delete the word authorised from the first line.

·         Resolution 5 to delete the words and county officers from the first line.

The Cabinet then discussed the report.

Mr Moss requested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) recommendations be referred to in making recommendations to the Council. Mrs Lintill clarified that the recommendations from OSC and the Chichester District Growth Board had been noted.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions and recommendation below.

RESOLVED

On the assumption that Council approve the selection of Developer A that Cabinet:

1.    Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive or the Director of Growth and Place, after consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team, the Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration, (and the Growth Lead at WSCC assuming WSCC are a party to the agreement) to approve and execute the Development Agreement based on Heads of Terms.

2.    Approves the appointment of Jones Lang LeSalle and Browne Jacobson LLP to support the Council in the implementation of the project, funded from the cost undertaking to be entered into by the appointed development partner and/or the balance of One Public Estate (OPE) funding.

3.    Subject to the appointment of a development partner that the land owned by the District Council be formally declared surplus to requirements and be offered up to support the regeneration on the terms set out in paragraph 6 and to remove the land from the Councils parking order at the appropriate time.

4.    Notes that officers will investigate a “Land equalisation” proposal and bring forward options to a future Cabinet.

5.    That the District Council requests WSCC to agree a scheme of delegation that enables District Council officers as project lead to grant consents required on behalf of WSCC provided there is no financial detriment to WSCC.

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL

Following “standstill” and dealing with any issues arising, and confirmation that WSCC have cleared their own governance processes, including call-in, that the Council select Developer A on Heads of Terms shown in Appendix 1to deliver the Southern Gateway Masterplan regeneration project pursuant to the outcome of the Evaluation Report at Appendix 2 once matters of detail are finalised with the bidder.