Report of Cabinet 8 April 2015 called in and considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·         Delivery/procurement options for the new civic centre

The Call-In reference report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 12 May 2015 was considered. Having reviewed the report the Mayor:

DECISION

1.    That the original decision be withdrawn and for a new report to be presented to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.

Delivery/Procurement options for the new Civic Centre

Councillor John Pierce, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), presented the call-in reference report from the OSC meeting held on 12 May 2015 on the Delivery/Procurement options for the new Civic Centre. He stated that due to the importance of the decision the Committee had felt that further consideration was required.

The Mayor agreed that further consideration was appropriate and that a new report should be presented to Cabinet.

RESOLVED

1.    That the original decision be withdrawn and for a new report to be presented to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.

The Equality Analysis Quality Assurance Checklist was tabled. The Mayor agreed amended recommendations.

DECISION

1.    To agree option 2 as set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report, namely a packaged development and disposals procured via OJEU.

2.    To adopt a capital estimate of £2.5 million to undertake investigations and complete the design to RIBA stage 2 and procure a delivery partner based on the chosen model of delivery;

3.    To authorise the procurement of the required professional and technical services to undertake the work to RIBA stage 2 utilising, if available, suitable procurement frameworks available to the public sector;

4.    To agree disposal of sites identified in paragraph 3.11 of this report in accordance with the Council’s disposal procedure and with the requirements of section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

5.    To note the requirement to obtain the prior approval of the Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State prior to disposal of the sites identified in paragraph 3.11.

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, following consultation with the Service Head – Legal Services, to agree and enter into the terms and conditions of any agreements required to implement recommendations 1, 2, 3 and 4 in order to progress the civic centre project.

7.    To authorise the Service Head – Legal Services to execute all documents necessary to give effect to these recommendations.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL (A. DALVI)

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

The Equality Analysis Quality Assurance Checklist was tabled.

Councillor Alibor Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted the capital estimates and the different procurement options set out in the report. He stated that he felt the framework listed in Option one would be restrictive and that the Council should instead choose Option 2 with the development and disposals procured via OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union tender process).

Ann Sutcliffe, Service Head, Corporate Property and Capital Delivery responded to the Pre-Scrutiny Questions tabled at the meeting.

Cabinet Members then discussed the report expressing general support for the proposals and the opportunity this presented the Borough to improve the Whitechapel area whilst at the same time providing a more accessible Civic Centre.

The Mayor welcomed the report as a once in a generational opportunity. He acknowledged that with any project this size there would be risks and challenges and it was important to consider those. However, he considered that the Council was capable of delivering this project. He agreed with the proposed amendment to recommendations proposed by Councillor Alibor Choudhury to choose Option Two and then agreed the amended recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.         To agree option 2 as set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report, namely a packaged development and disposals procured via OJEU.

2.                     To adopt a capital estimate of £2.5 million to undertake investigations and complete the design to RIBA stage 2 and procure a delivery partner based on the chosen model of delivery;

3.         To authorise the procurement of the required professional and technical services to undertake the work to RIBA stage 2 utilising, if available, suitable procurement frameworks available to the public sector;

4.         To agree disposal of sites identified in paragraph 3.11 of this report in accordance with the Council’s disposal procedure and with the requirements of section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

5.         To note the requirement to obtain the prior approval of the Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State prior to disposal of the sites identified in paragraph 3.11.

6.         To authorise the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal, following consultation with the Service Head – Legal Services, to agree and enter into the terms and conditions of any agreements required to implement recommendations 1, 2, 3 and 4 in order to progress the civic centre project.

7.         To authorise the Service Head – Legal Services to execute all documents necessary to give effect to these recommendations.