2416 Exempt Report - Benwell House Construction Budget Approval - Key Decision
Councillor Harvey
To consider an exempt report on approval of the construction and refurbishment budget for Benwell House, Sunbury-on-Thames.
This report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006, Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). In all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding procurement of contracts by allowing other parties to know the position of the Council. This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the procurement process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to place contracts for the prudent management of its financial affairs.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)
Cabinet considered an exempt report on the approval of the construction budget for Benwell House.
Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:
· Formally withhold approval
Resolved to:
1. Approve the construction and refurbishment budget for the creation of a target of 69 new flats at Benwell House;
2. Authorise the Group Head of Regeneration and Growth to oversee the implementation of the budget;
3. Authorise the Chief Financial Officer to decide (i) the most financially advantageous funding arrangements for the capital expenditure, (ii) the most tax efficient method of holding the completed asset and overall to ensure the acquisition is prudentially affordable;
4. Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the refurbishment and construction project; and
5. Agree to exempt Contract Standing Orders in respect of advisors where appropriate.
Reason for Decision:
Conversion of existing offices on site to residential under prior development approval process, with a further planning application for more development in the grounds and surplus car park will provide much needed residential accommodation in Sunbury.