Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services & Director of Regeneration, Leisure & Culture seeking approval to the inclusion of the refurbishment of Palmers Green Library within the Council’s Council Programme.         (Report No.96A)

Members are asked to note that:

·                the recommendations in the report were approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.

·                the Cabinet decision (16 October 13) was subject to a call-in considered by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 5 November 2013. As a result of the call-in, an outline of the options considered and further detail on the associated financial implications have also been included as supplementarydetail within this report, for Council’s information.

Council is being asked to approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme.  (Key decision – Reference 3791)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services & Director of Regeneration, Leisure & Culture (No.96A) seeking approval to the inclusion of the scheme for the refurbishment of Palmers Green Library on the Council’s Capital Programme.

NOTED

1.         The recommendations in the report, approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.

2.         The Cabinet decision had been subject to a call-in considered by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 5 November 2013.  As a result of the call-in, an outline of the options considered and further detail on the associated financial implications had been included as supplementary detail within the report, for Council’s information.

3.         The revision to the report tabled on the amendment sheet at the meeting with reference to Contract Procedure Rules in section 12.2.4 (Legal Implications) of the report being amended to Property Procedure Rules.

AGREED

(1)       To approve the addition of the scheme for the refurbishment of Palmers Green Library on the Council’s Capital Programme 2014-15.

(2)      To note the following recommendations agreed by Cabinet on 16 October 2013:

(a)       To approve the overall financial proposals for expenditure and funding, as detailed within section 6 the report, including all Professional, Technical and associated costs.

(b)      To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property & the Director of Finance, Resources and Customers Services to accept a subsequent tender for construction works.  (Key Decision – Reference KD3791)

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Stafford seconded the report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services (No.207A) seeking approval to the inclusion of the scheme for the re-provision of Garfield Primary School within the Council’s Capital Programme.

NOTED

1.        The item was accompanied by a separate Part 2 report (No.210A) containing the detailed funding proposals for the scheme.

2.        Cabinet on 24 April 2013 had approved the scheme for reprovision of the school.  The recommendations agreed by Cabinet had been detailed in section 2.2 of the Part 1 report with the funding proposals detailed in the accompanying Part 2 report.  Council was now being asked to formally approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme.

3.        The proposal to reprovide rather than expand the existing school site with an additional form of entry (as originally included within the Council’s Primary School Expansion Programme) had been developed to reflect wide ranging consultation with the school and complexities identified in relation to the site.

4.        The additional community benefits arising from the scheme with the inclusion of a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) & soft play area as part of the design proposals for use outside of school hours.

5.      Whilst supportive of the reprovision proposal, concerns were highlighted by the Opposition Group in relation to:

a.      the timescale for development of the reprovision scheme as an alternative to the original expansion proposal and any associated costs;

b.      the need to ensure a joined up approach between the reprovision scheme and redevelopment plans for the wider Ladderswood area;

c.      the challenging timescale identified under the key risks section within the report (para 7.2) for delivery of the new school by September 2014;

d.      the potential reduction in playing field provision under the scheme;

6.      The ongoing efforts highlighted by the Cabinet member for Children & Young People, being made by the Council under the Primary Expansion Programme to ensure that sufficient pupil places were provided to meet anticipated demand.  It was felt the redevelopment of the school would provide a cost effective strategy to deliver these additional places in the locality.

Following a period of further debate the recommendations in the report were agreed without a vote.

AGREED

(1)       To note the recommendations agreed by Cabinet on 24 April 13, as detailed in section 2.2 of the report.

(2)      To approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme, subject to confirmation of the detailed financial implications within section 6 of the Part 2 report (Min.51 refers). (Key Decision – Reference KD3698)