DECISION

1. To confirm the former hospital site in Whitechapel as the preferred option for the new civic centre;

2. In light of the above preference:

a.     To authorise the Corporate Director Development and Renewal to complete negotiations with Bart’s Health NHS Trust for the purchase of Grade 2 listed former hospital building/site in Whitechapel on Whitechapel Road for the purpose of a new civic centre. The purchase cost and offer, of up to the sum specified in the exempt section of this report, is on an unconditional basis.

b.     To agree commencement of the design and procurement work streams.

c.      To agree preparation of a final financial business case to provide detailed analysis to satisfy the procurement appraisal as detailed in the outline business case and confirm the proposed exit strategy should the council not proceed with the scheme.

d.     To agree disposal of the surplus sites identified within the outline business case in accordance with the proposed programme.

e.     To agree expenditure of up to £200k to implement recommendations b, c and d above.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director Development and Renewal, after consultation with the Head of Legal Services, to agree the final terms and conditions of any agreement required to implement the decisions in 2 above.

4.    To authorise the Head of Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents to implement this decision.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

(Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery (A. Sutcliffe)

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report highlighting that the proposed civic centre was an integral part of the Whitechapel vision. He also reported on issues relating to staying at Mulberry Place such as the lease expiring and accessibility concerns. Finally, he noted the alternative options set out and asked that the Mayor confirm his preferred option.

Following debate, the Mayor thanked the Lead Member for the report, noted that there was a Part II/Exempt report later on the agenda and confirmed his preference to develop the former hospital site in Whitechapel for the new civic centre. On that basis he agreed the relevant recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To confirm the former hospital site in Whitechapel as the preferred option for the new civic centre;

2. In light of the above preference:

a.     To authorise the Corporate Director Development and Renewal to complete negotiations with Bart’s Health NHS Trust for the purchase of Grade 2 listed former hospital building/site in Whitechapel on Whitechapel Road for the purpose of a new civic centre. The purchase cost and offer, of up to the sum specified in the exempt section of this report, is on an unconditional basis.

b.     To agree commencement of the design and procurement work streams.

c.      To agree preparation of a final financial business case to provide detailed analysis to satisfy the procurement appraisal as detailed in the outline business case and confirm the proposed exit strategy should the council not proceed with the scheme.

d.     To agree disposal of the surplus sites identified within the outline business case in accordance with the proposed programme.

e.     To agree expenditure of up to £200k to implement recommendations b, c and d above.

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director Development and Renewal, after consultation with the Head of Legal Services, to agree the final terms and conditions of any agreement required to implement the decisions in 2 above.

4.    To authorise the Head of Legal Services to execute all necessary contract documents to implement this decision.