(See report at agenda item 5 (pages 15 to 19) of the Cabinet agenda of 10 January 2017)
RECOMMENDED BY THE CABINET
That the Council allocates £75,000 capital reserves to fund specialist consultancy support for the implementation of the Southern Gateway project.
Minutes:
Mrs Keegan (Cabinet Member for Commercial Services), seconded by Mrs Lintill, moved these recommendations to the Council.
Mrs Keegan introduced the report, saying that this report sought approval to fund specialist consultancy support in preparation for the Southern Gateway project, to enable expertise in the processes required for this project, to prepare a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) strategy if required and to prepare the project initiation document (PID).
The Southern Gateway masterplan would take into account the highways input and also form the basis for an application for funding to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Mrs Apel, Mr Brown and Mrs Westacott sought support from the Council in respect of retaining the County Court in Chichester.
Mrs Tull, having been the Chairman of the Southern Gateway Panel 20 years ago, was in support and keen to see the project progressed, however she thought the Council should have a discussion about the judicial processes in the town. Mr Dunn also suggested keeping some form of court facility.
Mr Dignum advised that the Council had yet to receive the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) decision as to whether they wished to retain the courts or not. If it was to retain the court, it would be included in the masterplan. Mrs Shepherd, echoing Mr Dignum’s comments, advised that the Council had supported retaining the current provision in its response to the consultation, and if the MoJ wished to keep the court provision in Chichester then we would work with them to retain this in the masterplan.
Mr Hixson supported the scheme but requested the Cabinet to consider a delay of 12 months to the start of the project due to the cost of consultants and the difficulties experienced with highways and current building projects. Mrs Shepherd did not recommend any delay to the project. She advised that the Council was working with partners including WSCC and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) had funding in place. Having an approved masterplan and Vision would enable the Council to bid for future LEP funding, without these documents it is unlikely that LEP funding would be forthcoming. The scheme would deliver much needed housing to the district. The Traffic study being carried out at present should improve traffic flows for all modes of transport in the city. It was a real once in a lifetime opportunity to get it right.
Mr Plowman, agreeing with Mr Hixson, stated that if all the developments – A27 bypass, strategic sites, Southern Gateway, projects in the Vision – all materialised at the same time, the city would become a building site. He suggested looking carefully at timing and staging so as not to affect the economy and residents of Chichester. It was very important for Chichester to retain the magistrate’s court and should be a priority in the masterplan. Mrs Shepherd confirmed that it would be taken into account and WSCC would have a major say into the traffic management of the City to avoid it becoming gridlocked.
Mr Dignum stated that the project area covered 30 acres and it would not be expected that all elements of the masterplan would go ahead at the same time.
Mr Ransley, whilst supportive of the project, gave a note of caution that there was no budget attached to the report indicating the expenditure proposed for the sum of £75,000. Mr Cullen queried the figure agreed by Cabinet in June 2016 and how this related to the current request for funding on the project. Mr Over (Executive Director) advised that funding previously agreed was for the development of the masterplan and the traffic work, which was underway. The £75,000 was for specialist advice which would allow the Council to progress seamlessly with the project once the masterplan was approved. He also advised that, depending upon the nature of the partnership to implement the project, further funds might be required and would be included in the PID document.
Mr Oakley asked for the contributions from other agencies and bodies to this project to be quantified. Mr Carvell advised that the HCA had not yet confirmed detailed funding as he believed it would wish to look at individual components of the HCA bid. Funding was likely to be on an equity basis and they would look to claw back that funding where possible. A major meeting was due to be held later this month with partners to seek contributions.
On the recommendation being put to the vote, it was declared carried. Mr Hixson abstained from the vote.
RESOLVED
That £75,000capital reserves be allocated to fundspecialist consultancysupport for theimplementation ofthe SouthernGateway project.