Agenda, decisions and minutes

To give consideration to the approval of alternative arrangements for appointments to bodies set up by Cabinet or external bodies, or the making or terminating of such appointments.

There were no changes to Cabinet bodies to be made.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillor Tod declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of reports due to his role as a County Councillor.

– to note the names of members of the public wishing to speak on general matters affecting the District or on agenda items (in the case of the latter, representations will normally be received at the time of the agenda item, after the Cabinet Member’s introduction and any questions from Cabinet Members).

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (contact: democracy@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848 264). 

Ian Tait and Paul Spencer (Winchester BID) spoke during public participation regarding report CAB3322 as summarised under the relevant minute below.

The Leader and Cabinet members made a number of announcements as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Thompson

Welcomed Councillor Hannah Williams as the new Cabinet member for Climate Change.

Councillor Tod

Announced that the council would provide further details via its website regarding how hospitality businesses could apply for the government’s recently announced new grants to help alleviate the difficulties caused by the ongoing Covid pandemic.

1.      That the Outline Business Case set out at Appendix D and Exempt Appendix E be approved and adopted and it be noted that a Full Business Case will be presented to Cabinet for approval as indicated in the Outline Business Case and authorises the Strategic Director with responsibility for the Central Winchester Regeneration project to proceed with the preparation of the Full Business Case.

NB the following recommendations are not subject to call-in at this time because they are subject to agreement of full Council.

That subject to the agreement of Full Council (rec 8 below), that Cabinet;

2.      Agrees to adopt a 70% quality to 30% commercial evaluation weighting as a derogation from the council’s Contract Procedure Rules (paragraph 29) in order to reflect the council’s aim for a high-quality scheme and to use the competitive dialogue procurement procedure.

3.      Agrees to adopt the Stage 1 Selection Questionnaire Suitability Technical Questions and associated weightings as set out at Appendix A.

4.      Agrees to adopt the procurement Stage 2 Evaluation Award Criteria and associated weightings as set out at Appendix B.

5.      Agrees to adopt the commercial approach contained in the Commercial Case of the Outline Business Case and the Commercial Principles Paper set out at Appendix C and in particular to note the Central Winchester Regeneration procurement will be on the basis of a single developer delivering the scheme under a development agreement as decided at CAB3303.

6.      Delegates authority to the Strategic Director with responsibility for the Central Winchester Regeneration project in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Asset Management to finalise all documentation for the procurement process, including any minor or necessary amendments and to progress such procurement, using the competitive dialogue procedure, approve and take forward short listed bidders. At the conclusion of the procurement process Cabinet approval will be sought for the appointment of the preferred development partner.

7.      Approve expenditure of £733,000 from the remaining £1.085m budget allocated to the Central Winchester Regeneration project to enable officers to progress the procurement and preparation of a Full Business Case.

That Cabinet refer to Full Council to;

8.      Authorise the Strategic Director with responsibility for the Central Winchester Regeneration project to initiate and conduct the procurement process for the selection of a development partner for the Central Winchester Regeneration project.

Councillor Learney introduced the report.  She thanked the Scrutiny Committee for the comments made at its meeting on 6 December and drew cabinet’s attention to a summary of the responses at paragraphs 6.27 to 6.49 of the report.  She also made reference to a statement received from Ross McNally (Chief Executive, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce) in support of the proposals as set out in the report.

The Head of Programme gave a presentation summarising the previous steps taken to reach the current stage of the central Winchester regeneration process.  The presentation is available on the council’s website here.

Two representations were made during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Ian Tait

Highlighted the length of time that discussions had been taking place on regeneration of the area and the requirement for action to be taken without further delay.  Queried how the decision to remove two businesses from Kings Walk fitted with the aspiration for a vibrant local economy.  Emphasised the shortage of affordable homes in the district and suggested that the old Friarsgate medical centre be demolished and replaced with affordable housing as a quick start to the redevelopment.

Paul Spencer (Winchester BID)

Thanked the council’s project team and members for keeping the Winchester BID informed of proposals at their forum meetings.  BID Forum attendees had been overwhelmingly positive in their support of the proposals and were keen to see the scheme progress.  The outline business case was supported and the BID looked forward to the selection of the development partner.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Lumby and Horrill addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Lumby

Supported the principle of redevelopment of the area but considered the approach being proposed was unlikely to succeed and if it did, would be too expensive due to lack of interest and competition.  Had concerns about the absence of measures proposed for the council to control the selected developer with consequential risks that the developer could “cherry pick” more profitable elements of the scheme and leave other sections un-developed.  Highlighted the consultant costs incurred to date and further proposed in the report.  Queried why the costs and commitment to delivering a net zero carbon scheme were not included?

Councillor Horrill

Thanked officers for meeting with conservative group members to answer questions and concerns. Confirmed that the conservative group supported the regeneration of central Winchester in lines with the supplementary planning document (SPD).  However, believed that the current proposals missed vital opportunities, had not learned from previous experience and risked not delivering the requirements of the SPD.  Asked a number of specific questions regarding various elements of the outline business case.  Did not believe that full council would be given the opportunity to fully debate the approach proposed.

The Council’s legal adviser, Stephen Matthew, responded to points raised in relation to the retention of the compulsory purchase order powers and confirmed that the leasehold approach was the council’s default position.  He also outlined the control and protection afforded to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider whether in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(i)            To pass a resolution that the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100 (I) and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

1.         That in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

2.         That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Cabinet agreed the following for the reasons outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

            That the contents of the exempt appendix be noted.