Agenda item

Note – Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’ are enclosed for Members only as they contain exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report updating Council with respect to Old River Lane and Northgate End Development Sites in Bishop’s Stortford.

The Executive Member stated that he was pleased to advise that good progress had been made since Council in July by the Old River Lane Delivery Board with respect to both Old River Lane and Northgate End.

With respect to Old River Lane, the Executive Member stated that, following a comprehensive procurement process, final bids would be submitted to the Council on 28January 2019.  The preferred developer would be selected in February and proposed to Council in March 2019.

The draft heads of terms for the Old River Lane development formed part of the procurement process and this document was set out within Essential Reference Paper “C”.  The final document would form part of the final bid submissions to the Council. 

Members were advised that plans for the Northgate End development had also been moving forward.

The Executive Member confirmed that the indicative net cost of the Northgate End development would be £19.03 million and the business case and details of the funding were detailed in Essential Reference Paper “D”.  Members were advised the necessary land acquisitions would be funded by the Local Enterprise Partnership funding.  Land behind the site and land to the east was owned by Hertfordshire County Council and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.

Council was advised that the procurement process was due to commence next month with a contractor appointed by April 2019.  Members were reminded that no major works would commence until Council in March 2019 had approved proposals for the Old River Laneand also until the revised planning application had been approved and planning conditions discharged.

The Executive Member concluded by stating that the Arts Centre Steering Group had been moving forward regarding the design brief for the new facility as detailed in Essential Reference Paper “B”.  The estimated cost of the centre based on the design brief was £28 million and the indicative breakdown of indicative funding sources was detailed within table 1 on pages 284 and 285 of the report submitted.

The Executive Member thanked the Joint Meeting of Scrutiny for their input in November.  Council considered the recommendations in respect of Old River Lane and the Northgate End Development.

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor M Pope seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Council approved the proposals now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) Council notesthe update on:

                            i.                        the competitive dialogue procurement process for Old River Lane

                          ii.                        the latest brief, estimated budget and likely funding partners for the Arts and Entertainment Centre

                       iii.                        the draft Heads of Terms for the Development Agreement

(B)   Council approved the capital allocation of £19.03m for the Multi Storey Car Park and adjoining residential/commercial units at Northgate End (Exempt Essential Reference Paper “D”), known as the ‘Northgate End Developments’ and authorised construction of the development, subject to planning conditions and the conditions listed under recommendation (C) below being discharged;

(C)   Council noted that the commencement of construction of the Northgate End Developments was conditional upon the following:

                            i.               planning permission

                          ii.               a preferred developer for the main ORL site being approved by Council on 5 March 2019.

(D)       Council approved the purchase of land owned by Hertfordshire County Council and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council (as set out in 6.2 of this report), using LEP funding granted for this purpose.

(see also Minute 318)