Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on the 13^th April 2016 were agreed and signed by the Leader.  

There were none.

There were no items to be heard in private.

There were none.

There were none.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the report.

Councillor Ashraf, as the Chair of the panel, presented the report and thanked all panel members and the Scrutiny Officer for their work. She urged Cabinet to examine ways that work could be undertaken with partners to continue to raise the profile of economic development in Northampton.

Councillor Lane, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee submitted a report and elaborated thereon. He thanked panel members and the Scrutiny Officer and asked that all employers and investors in the town for the work they had undertaken.

Councillor Hadland, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning, welcomed the report and commented that he was very pleased with the growing number of apprenticeships especially within the Enterprise Zone.

The Leader explained that a new focus group had been established as part of SEMLEP with representations from the education sectors. She commented that the administration would be bidding for further funding for the Enterprise Zone. She thanked the Chair, Panel Members and the Scrutiny Officer for the work they had undertaken.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the report.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee submitted a report and elaborated thereon stating that there were seventeen recommendations within the report and thanked Councillor G Eales for having chaired the Panel.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Lane confirmed that any feedback with regards to consultation with affected business would need to be fed back by Cabinet in response to the Overview and Scrutiny recommendations.

The Leader thanked the panel members for their work.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the report.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny submitted a report and elaborated thereon and noted that there were twenty-eight recommendations within the report.

Councillor Meredith as the Chair of the Panel addressed Cabinet and stated that the panel had carried out extensive work looking at anti-social behaviour on the Town and praised the work of the Community Wardens, whilst raising concerns about the lack of body cameras.

The Leader commented that cameras had been issued for Community Wardens and other items would be considered in conjunction with Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

B Report of Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning (Copy herewith)

1.    Cabinet entered into an agreement to grant a commercial lease of 30 years to the University of Northampton for the Vulcan Works premises (shown coloured blue on the plan at Annex A of the report) in which to relocate their International Leather Centre, Leather Conservation Centre and associated teaching & administrative activities.

2.    Cabinet approved the amendment to the Capital Programme for 2016/17 to include £5m additional works to the Vulcan Works building as part of this important Alive Project. The works will consist of renovation of the building’s shell and core, funded by the Council at a maximum cost of £3.5m, and the fit-out of the building for the University’s use to be funded by the University at a maximum cost of £2m which will include any VAT liability. The exact split of costs would depend on the final detailed specification of works.

3.    Cabinet granted the University an option to purchase the Vulcan Works (but not the Creative Hub) at any time during the lease for either the amount that the Council has spent on the site plus the original value of the land and buildings, or the market value, whichever is higher.

4.    Cabinet entered into a separate agreement for lease with the University of Northampton for the managed workspace units (shown coloured pink on the plan at Annex A of the report, under which the University will assume responsibility for delivering the economic benefits and financial return stated in the Council’s Local Growth Fund application of October 2014.

5.    Cabinet delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise & Planning Officer in consultation with  the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning,  and the Chief Finance Officer, the approval of final terms for the leases and option arrangements identified above.

Councillor Stone addressed Cabinet and commented that she was very excited by the proposed extension and variation to the Vulcan Works project. She raised concerns about the financing and risks, the extent of the delays and hazardous chemicals.

Councillor Birch commented that she was excited to see progress and the regeneration of the Town, stating that the cultural quarter would continue to attract people to the area.

Councillor Hadland as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and noted that he was delighted to see another exciting regeneration. He noted that the lease to the University of Northampton would be done on commercial terms,

In response to questions asked, Councillor Hadland noted that there were very few financial risks, as Univsreirties were conssiderd to be safe tenants. The delays experienced had been caused by a number of issues due to the complexity of the site and the buildings and that hazardous materials to be used at the site, were no more damaging than the ones used by the Leather Centre.

RESOLVED:

1.    That an agreement to grant a commercial lease of 30 years to the University of Northampton for the Vulcan Works premises (shown coloured blue on the plan at Annex A of the report) in which to relocate their International Leather Centre, Leather Conservation Centre and associated teaching & administrative activities be entered into.

2.    That the amendment to the Capital Programme for 2016/17 to include £5m additional works to the Vulcan Works building as part of this important Alive Project be approved. The works would consist of renovation of the building’s shell and core, funded by the Council at a maximum cost of £3.5m, and the fit-out of the building for the University’s use to be funded by the University at a maximum cost of £2m which will include any VAT liability. The exact split of costs would depend on the final detailed specification of works.

3.    That the University be granted an option to purchase the Vulcan Works (but not the Creative Hub) at any time during the lease for either the amount that the Council has spent on the site plus the original value of the land and buildings, or the market value, whichever is higher.

4.    That a separate agreement be granted for lease with the University of Northampton for the managed workspace units (shown coloured pink on the plan at Annex A of the report, under which the University will assume responsibility for delivering the economic benefits and financial return stated in the Council’s Local Growth Fund application of October 2014.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise & Planning Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning and the Chief Finance Officer, the approval of final terms for the leases and option arrangements identified above.