Issue - meetings

An update on Meridian Water to be provided by the Director of Development.

(This item will contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.)

The Committee received a detailed presentation from the Commercial Programme Director who, with effect from Monday, 13 March 2023, had been appointed Acting Director of Development (Meridian Water).

The Commercial Programme Director, responding to questions from Members regarding the 300 council houses referred to in the presentation pack, confirmed that, following a review with the programme contractor, would be ready in the middle of the year and would be added to the Council’s housing stock. The aim of the Meridian Water regeneration project, in addition to an increase of social housing, would be to the social value to the community, including work for local people and sub- contractors. Members asked that details of the types of new jobs to be created (target 6,000) on the site, including sub-contractors, be provided.

ACTION: Commercial Programme Director

AGREED that:

1. The presentation on the Meridian Water Update received from Officers be noted;

2. Subject to the agreement of Members at the Work Planning meeting in the New Municipal Year, a further update, including the social value in future procurements, be brought to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

3.    Penny Halliwell, Meridian Water Commercial Programme Director had been appointed Acting Director of Development (Meridian Water), effective from Monday, 13 March 2023 be noted.

Peter George, Director of Development, after a number of years, would be leaving the Council’s employ at the end of March 2023 to take up a position at the London Borough of Ealing. The Committee thanked Peter George for his dedication and commitment to the Council, and, in particular, that undertaken with regards to the regeneration of Meridian Water, a hugely significant development for the Council and its residents.

As there were no members of the press or public present at the meeting and there was no confidential discussion the meeting did not move into Part Two.