Decision details

*Calverley Square Delivery RIBA Stages 5-7

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Decision Made

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The report outlines the detailed design and firm offer for the development of Calverley Square highlighting the funding package and seeking approval to enter into the construction contract with Mace taking all necessary steps to deliver the scheme. The report also sets out the place-shaping proposals for the current civic complex.

 

Part of this meeting may be held in private in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Decision:

RESOLVED – That Full Council be recommended:

 

  1. That, given the importance of culture and leisure to the town’s economy and social environmental and economic wellbeing, and in recognition of the planned growth to the Borough’s population, this Council endorses the principle that it wishes to provide a theatre that meets the needs of residents, visitors and producers.

 

  1. That Full Council endorse that the project designed to RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design) (in accordance with Full Council, Decision FC50/17 on 6 December 2017 and all relevant Cabinet and delegated decisions) be approved for funding and delivery;

 

  1. Full Council approve:

a.    an additional gross budget of £18m for the delivery of the Calverley Square scheme and delegates to the s151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance to determine the sources of funding to deliver the scheme.

b.    the use of the Calverley Square Reserve to ensure the successful delivery of the Calverley Square scheme and delegates to the s151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance the management of receipts and payments from the reserve.

c.    the Council entering into the second stage of the Design and Build contract with Mace to progress the development to completion and delegate all related necessary steps to the Head of Economic Development and Property, S151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property, Major Projects and Strategic Engagement and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance.

 

  1. That the Head of Legal Services be authorised to complete all legal formalities as are necessary and incidental to the recommendations in this Report and to the decisions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Report and to negotiate, execute and complete all necessary agreements and deeds arising from or ancillary or incidental to the delivery of the Calverley Square scheme.

 

  1. Full Council declare the Civic Complex (Town Hall, Assembly Hall Theatre, 9-10 Calverley Terrace and associated car park) surplus and delegate to the Head of Economic Development and Property and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property, Major Projects and Strategic Engagement and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance to:
  1. Undertake the internal procedural steps required to enable the Civic Complex to be treated as surplus to requirement at the appropriate time.
  2. Further investigate and refine a placeshaping proposal for the disposal and redevelopment of the Civic Complex bringing a report(s) on the final approach and valuation for decision/s at Cabinet prior to completion of the approved Calverley Square development;
  3. Enter into formal discussions with the Police and Crime Commissioner for the acquisition of or partnership arrangements to enable the Police Station to be brought forward as part of the Civic Complex.

 

  1. That Full Council delegate authority to the Head of Economic Development and Property, and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property, Major Projects and Strategic Engagement and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance (on behalf of the Council as land owner) to:
    1. resolve that the Council’s interests in the land within the development site and such minor areas of ancillary land adjoining or adjacent to the development site be appropriated for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 and such other relevant legislation and to delegate the making of all necessary preparation to effect such appropriation.
    2. develop a detailed fundraising strategy and action plan for Calverley Square bringing forward a report/s for decision/s at Cabinet.

 

  1. In approving the scheme that the Development Advisory Panel will be engaged on a formal schedule of dates during the delivery of the work.

 

  1. That Full Council note:
    1. that all consultancy fees identified in the report are spent at risk and that they will be abortive costs if the buildings are not developed;
    2. The Equality Impact Assessment.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:

To progress one of the Council’s priority project in line with the strategic aim to grow our role as the cultural

centre of the Kent & Sussex High Weald, so that by 2024 the borough of Tunbridge Wells is nationally recognised for its vibrant cultural provision

Report author: David Candlin

Publication date: 12/09/2019

Date of decision: 12/09/2019

Decided at meeting: 12/09/2019 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: