(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 54/2018

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 54/2018 was received from the Chief Executive.

Mr Oliver Helmsley, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Rutland One Public Estate & Growth, Tourism & Economic Development and Resources (other than Finance and Communications) introduced the report, the purpose of which was to obtain Cabinet endorsement to move forward to agree an option for the acquisition of the Officers Mess site (part of St Georges Barracks) subject to final Council agreement.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i.      Financial viability of the project would be tested at the Formal Gates as set out in the report, but there would also be a series of informal gates and feasibility testing.  At various phases testing would take place in order to inform decisions on the next steps;

ii.     An acceptable land value would be one of the key conditions as set out in page 97 of the report;

iii.    Phase 2 would culminate in an initial feasibility report which would come back to the Project Board for approval;

iv.   Subject to the project proceeding past all testing and formal gates, the acquisition of the site would require Full Council approval.  If the project failed to meet defined criteria it would progress no further;

v.     It would be important to engage the public in the process and ensure there were effective channels for communication;

vi.   Consideration should be given to whether the Project Board may benefit from having a member which represents the Parish Councils in the area;

vii.  A meeting had been arranged to discuss how the Council, Parishes and local communities could work together;

viii. Should Rutland County Council decide not to proceed at any stage, it was understood that the Ministry of Defence would still be looking to develop the site; and

ix.   This was an opportunity for the Council to be involved to ensure the best outcomes for Rutland.

RESOLVED

1)    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Rutland One Public Estate & Growth, Tourism & Economic Development and Resources (other than Finance and Communications) and the Director of Resources to enter into negotiations to acquire the Officers Mess site on the conditional basis which was set out in section 3.

2)    Cabinet APPROVED the release of up to £850k of funds from capital receipts to support the redevelopment of the Officers Mess Site at St Georges Barracks up to the point where tenders are received from contractors for the development works.

3)    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Rutland One Public Estate & Growth, Tourism, & Economic Development and Resources (other than Finance and Communications) and the Director of Resources to determine a procurement route, award criteria and if a suitable supplier or suppliers are identified move forward and award a series of contracts for all works necessary to develop the proposals at ‘The Officers Mess’ up to the point prior to the issue of tenders for the contractor that will deliver the works element of the project.

Reason for the decision

1.    The recommendations set out in this report will allow the early progress and delivery of the Officers Mess site for housing. This will generate confidence in the local community, bring forward delivery, establish the design standard and deliver a surplus for RCC which can be reinvested into the Community.