Issue - meetings

AGREED That Cabinet:

a)      note and welcome the updates provided; and

b)      approve an amendment to the Council’s Capital Programme to the Maximum Capital budget detailed in Exempt Report in order to secure a contractor and delivery of the 32 Stodman Street project.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance presented a report which sought to update Members on the project, including procurement and revisions to the Council’s Capital budget to allow a start on site at the earliest opportunity.  Details of the works undertaken so far were provided in the report together with an indicative timetable for delivery, subject to agreement of the appointed contracted and approval of the increase in the capital budget for the scheme. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)            note and welcome the updates provided; and

b)            approve an amendment to the Council’s Capital Programme to the Maximum Capital budget detailed in Exempt Report in order to secure a contractor and delivery of the 32 Stodman Street project.

Reasons for Decision:

The project, one of 9 priority Towns Fund and Town Investment Plan project will contribute to all of the Council’s Community Plan objectives, including creating more and better-quality homes through our role as landlord and developer.

Options Considered:

Cabinet could decide not to proceed with the development, which would result in the lack of a much-needed town centre intervention which has the full support of this Council, the Newark Towns Board, the Newark Town Investment Plan and Central Government who have approved the Newark Towns Fund. Moreover, Newark Towns Fund grant would be at risk if the project does not proceed.

(Having declared an Other Registerable Interest, Councillor Wendels did not take part in the consideration or voting of this item.)