Decision details

That the following be noted:

1.    That the Scrutiny Committee considered the contents of the report and the proposed recommendations to Cabinet on 14 August 2019 and made comments as set out in the draft minutes (Appendix 9)

2.    That the three specific areas for consideration raised by the Scrutiny committee along with associated comments as set out in the report and detailed in Appendix 8

3.    That the amendments made to the outline planning application, including reduced height, reduced parking and additional areas of active frontage to the public route through the site.

4.    That the introduction of an Open Forum to continue stakeholder engagement in the development of this proposal.

5.    That the feedback from the soft market testing as detailed in Appendix 3.

6.    That the RIBA equivalent Stage 3 report (Appendix 10) and cost plan for the Public Realm project.

7.    That this report concludes the review of the Station Approach scheme led by the Cabinet Member: Local Economy.

That the following be approved:

8.    That the allocation of a revenue budget of up to £220,000, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report be approved, to undertake the selection process to enable the site disposal.

9.    That the progression of the Public Realm project to RIBA equivalent Stage 4 (Technical design) and Stage 5 (Construction Management) be approved and that this work proceeds at a financial risk to the Council (see para 2.8).

10. That a request be progressed for the allocation of up to £500,000 CIL funding to enable development of public realm works to improve connectivity between the Station area and the High Street and Sussex Street.

11. That the Strategic Director: Place be authorised to enter into the necessary agreement with Hampshire County Council (and any other necessary associated parties) to progress public realm design and construction management work.

12. That the Strategic Director: Place be directed to develop a schedule of and process for spend and payments for the LEP grant that assists with the active management of the risk of grant repayment.

That, contingent on the approval of the outline planning consent the following be approved:

13. The disposal of the Carfax site to a selected purchaser by way of a long leasehold, subject to agreed terms and conditions following a competitive selection process.

14. That detailed arrangements for the purchaser selection process for disposal are subject to a further report to Cabinet, having considered the specific comments of The Scrutiny Committee in this regard.

That it be recommended to Council:

15.  Approval to agree and to enter into the LEP Grant Agreement for a total sum of £5M based on the Heads of Terms (Appendix 6), with final amendments to be delegated to the Strategic Director: Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Local Economy.

16.  Approval to incur capital expenditure in stages totalling £5M to be funded from the LEP Grant recognising the terms and conditions attached to the grant agreement and that such expenditure will be subject to payback to the LEP should the scheme not progress and achieve the grant objectives.