Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19^th March, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

Key issues from the previous meeting were noted.

Christine Majer Economic Strategy Officer, to report.

-           to note the approval of £248,482 towards flood alleviation scheme

Further to Minute No. 223 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 17^th March, 2008, consideration was given to a report presented by the Economic Strategy Officer, informing the Board of the approval of £248,482 of RERF capital which is to be used to underwrite a potential shortfall in funding for the Rotherham flood alleviation scheme.

It was explained that the reason for the request was the unforeseen costs due to the floods of June 2007 and additional legal fees relating to the diversion of the Dog Star gas main, which has used up the contingency element of the budget. Additional funding has been sought from Objective 1 and Yorkshire Forward, to cover this shortfall. Decisions on these applications are expected in 2008/09 financial year, However delivery on the scheme needs to continue. It was pointed out that should funding be secured from external sources then the level of RERF required will be reduced accordingly.

Resolved:-  That the approval, outlined above, of £248,482 capital from Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund be noted.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the Council).

Paul Smith, Design Consultancy Manager, to report.

-           to agree future options.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Director of Asset Management, outlining the options for future Town Centre Council Accommodation.

The report set out several options to either dispose of, or retain, the following properties:-

The Town Hall

Eric Mann’s Building

Grove Road offices

Civic Building

Norfolk House

Crinoline House

Howard Building

Library Arts Centre (Non Cultural Elements)

Station Road Depot (Corporate Archives)

Enterprise House

Magna (Housing Market Renewal)

Bailey House

Dalton Millside (Training Centre)

Consideration was given to each option.

It was reported that the project works to procure and fit out a new Civic Office on Guest & Chrimes would be funded by the Priority A Capital Programme project entitled “New Civic Quarter”.

Also it was proposed that the initial works to determine the scope & costs for the other recommended projects be financed from the Priority A Capital Programme project entitled “Town Centre Design”.

It was noted that works to any buildings, other than the proposed 16,000 m² office on Guest & Chrimes and the new Cultural Centre, were not currently funded within the existing Capital Strategy. Funding options for these additional properties had yet to be identified.

It was also noted that the lease of the Howard Building expired in December 2008 and staff occupying the building must be re-housed before then.

Resolved:-  (1) That the Director of Asset Management progress negotiations to procure a new Town Centre Office with a reduced Net Internal Area of 16,000m2.

(2)  That the Town Hall and Eric Mann’s building be retained and that projects be established to report on the scope and cost of refurbishment of the Town Hall & Eric Mann’s Building.

(3)  That Dalton Millside be retained as a Training Centre.

(4)  That Reresby House be used for Council office accommodation and that a project is established to achieve the fit out of Reresby House and vacant possession of the Howard Building and Crinoline House.

(5)  That a project is established to report on the accommodation options to house election storage, evidence storage, general storage, printing facilities, bibliographic, book storage and museum artefact storage.

(6) That a project be established to report on the temporary provision of cultural services in the period between the demolition of the current Library & Arts Centre and the opening of the new Cultural Centre.

(7) That consideration be given to the disposal of the remaining premises at the appropriate time.

(8) That the establishment of a Project Team to manage the Transformation Project, covering Work Style implementation and the Council Accommodation Strategy be supported in principle.

(9) That a report on the options for funding the Strategy be submitted to a future meeting.

(10)            That a report on land and property sold, or proposed for sale, as part of the requirement to support the Capital Programme be submitted to this Board on a regular basis.

Paul Walsh, Programme Manager, to report.

-           to consider the recommendations.

Further to Minute No. 90 of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board Meeting on 20^th February 2008, Minute No. 90, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Neighbourhood Investment Manager, which updated the Board on progress with the review of Council owned commercial properties located within neighbourhood settings across the Borough.

Members of the Board discussed specific sites listed in the report and emphasised the role that some of these sites could play in the social and economic regeneration of certain areas.

Further work has now been undertaken to complete the review and undertake further consultation with key partners and relevant Ward Members. The report provided a summary of the review and presented possible recommendations for the future of commercial properties located within neighbourhood settings.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Board notes the contents of the report and  the initial recommendations presented within the report regarding the future of individual commercial properties.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to the Board providing additional investment needs information, re-housing implications and identifying funding requirements, to enable further consideration of recommendations to be made.

Consideration was given to the need to review the 2008/09 Programme and it was noted that a report on the position could be available shortly.

Resolved:-  That a report be submitted to this Board within one month.

The Director of Asset Management reported that an opportunity had arisen for the Council to purchase shop premises at Corporation Street, Rotherham, which were required as part of the Rotherham Renaissance scheme.  Financial details of the proposal were provided.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the purchase of this property.

Wednesday, 14^th May, 2008 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board be held on WEDNESDAY, 14^TH MAY, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall.