This report will follow in a Supplementary Papers pack once the report has been published for Cabinet’s consideration (due for publication on Tuesday 3rd September 2024).
Minutes:
The Deputy Chief Executive presented the Levelling-Up Report to the Board.
Members were reminded that a report was presented to Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Board in July 2024 which recommended approval of the appointment of the company City Demolition for the demolition of existing buildings and associated site remediation at the Windsor Street Levelling Up site. The report also gave updates on the progress at the former Market Hall site. The report also gave operational updates.
The purpose of the report sought to update and recommend to Members the use of Kier for the delivery of the main works at the former Market Hall site following the Value Engineering exercises approved in July. The report was also to update members on the progress of all the schemes, including an update on the possible letting of the former Market Hall site and how associated parking issues could be mitigated, updates on the Risk Registers and how risks were being mitigated and the overall costs and how the project was to be financed.
The Council had applied for and was awarded £14.5m of Levelling Up Funding. To maximise the outputs for the identified schemes, the Council had set aside £1.6m of funding which achieved an overall budget in the sum of £16.1m.
Members were reminded that conditional timescales allotted to Levelling Up funding were challenging and as a result the Council had applied for and was granted a six-month extension through the former Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Project Amendment Request (DLUHC PAR) process for the former Market Hall site element of the scheme.
There had been a number of external factors that hade influenced the programme delivery timescales and the overall cost envelope for the project.
Windsor Street Update
Members were informed that the majority of the site had been demolished by the contractors City Demolition and that there had been Anti Social Behaviour issues.
Public Realm Works
Worcestershire County Council were responsible for the design and delivery of the Public Realm element of the project, given their statutory responsibilities. Final prices had been agreed and linked to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that existed between Bromsgrove District and Worcestershire County Councils who were delivering the works.
Members were advised that the traffic carbon issues were nearly finalised and also that Worcestershire County Council were ahead of schedule and works should be completed by the end of the 2024 calendar year.
Former Market Hall Site Scheme Update
Officers advised that the Council should be within the timeframe to spend all of the government funding, however, it was pointed out to members that there were still risks for the Council until the contract was signed with the contractor Kier.
The updated Risk Register included risks rated red following mitigation strategies.
Occupation of the building was almost finalised with options being investigated.
Members were advised the purpose of the report was to seek Members approval of the appointment of Kier Group PLC for the delivery of the Market Hall works contract.
After completion of the presentation, it was explained that the proposals put forward to Members would be put to Cabinet as part of the recommendations for their consideration at a meeting due to be held on 11th September 2024.
Discussions continued with Members raising concerns that if further risks were detected this could result in the Council incurring further costs on delays. It was also pointed out that Appendix E – Public Realm Updated Risk Register referred to Redditch Borough Council and Members requested that a risk register be submitted for Bromsgrove District Council.
Appendix F – Market Hall Delivery Timescales was raised by Members. It was requested that a full-scale report should be submitted to Members rather than a snapshot. In response it was stated that the Council was still waiting on the contractor Arcadis to provide an updated report.
With reference to the report, Members requested the updated cost plan. It was agreed that this would be distributed to Members imminently.
Archaeological risks and costs were also raised as a potential issue by Members, who requested that this should be reviewed further. In response it was explained that archaeological trenches had been dug for a while now with investigations yet to detect anything of archaeological interest. Members were informed that if anything was to be detected, this would be discharged before entering into the contract.
The Leader reminded Members that, as a condition of the Levelling Up Funding settlement, the Council needed to make a 10% funding contribution to the Levelling Up project.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
(During consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).
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