Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for non-attendance.

Councillor Doran sent his apologies for absence.

Election of Chairman

Proposed by Councillor Smith-Ainsley

Seconded by Councillor Noble

Resolved that Councillor Nichols chair the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2021 – to follow.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2021 were approved as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillors Noble and Smith-Ainsley advised the Committee that they were Planning Committee members and therefore would not be making any comment on applications due to come to before the Planning Committee.

To consider the six propositions put forward by Councillor Nichols relating to Council developments.

The Committee considered the six principles that Councillor Nichols proposed were to be provided and agreed by the Development Sub-Committee before a Council development could move forward and would be reviewed at each stage of the development.

The Monitoring Officer advised that senior officers had considered the proposals and had no comments on principles 1, 2, 3 and 5. Revised wording for principle 4 was suggested and agreed by the Committee as follows:

‘Each individual proposed development is to have a communications strategy to ensure awareness raising and scheme appropriate engagement with residents and all Councillors, particularly local Councillors. The outcomes of such awareness and engagement being reported to the Development Sub-Committee’.

In respect of principle 6 the Monitoring Officer advised that all exempt items will be monitored and made public once the reason for the exemption has lapsed.

The Committee resolved to implement the six principles for future Council developments subject to the change of wording agreed by the Sub-Committee.

*Councillor Harvey asked if a report could be presented to the Committee outlining the actual costs to the Council due to the current moratorium on Council developments. Councillor Nichols asked that the costs be shown on a site to site basis. - *amended by Councillor Harvey at meeting on 23/08/2021.

To consider the following items deferred from the Development Sub-Committee held on 26 July 2021:

-       Benwell House Phase 2 – Construction Costs

-       Development Project Update

The Sub-Committee is asked to:

1.    Authorise Benwell House Phase 2 project to proceed to determination by the Planning Committee meeting at the earliest opportunity.

2.    Note that Assets will finalise terms and identify a preferred contractor and  hen make recommendations for approval to the Development Sub-Committee, the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and Full Council.

Reason for exemption

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) and 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 process for the site/services by allowing other bidders to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the bids process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to acquire a site/services in order to enable regeneration in the Borough.

The first part of this item was discussed in an open public forum.

Councillor Nichols expressed concern over this development stating that it was too tall, of too high density and was not in keeping with the street scene. He stated that the public did not want this development and that a number of objections had been logged on the Planning Portal. He advised that he wanted to see what the objectives were for this scheme and a financial analysis and therefore requested that the development be deferred until these could be provided.

The Committee were advised that this development would provide affordable housing for residents and that 13 of the units would be subject to a Section 106 agreement that would reduce the number of families on the housing waiting list.

It was proposed by Councillor Harvey and seconded by Councillor Smith-Ainsley to move this item into a private session to be able to discuss the commercially sensitive information within the report.

The Committee resolved to:

1)    authorise Benwell House Phase 2 project to proceed to determination by the Planning Committee meeting at the earliest opportunity, and

2)    to note that Assets will finalise terms and identify a preferred contractor and then make recommendations for approval to the Development Sub-Committee, the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and Full Council.

To receive an update from the Group Head, Regeneration and Growth, on development projects.

The Committee resolved to move this item into a private session due to  commercially sensitive information contained within the update.

The Committee resolved to note the development project update.

To note the annual commercial property report for the year ending 31 March 2021 and agree to publicise on the Council’s website.

The Committee considered the Annual Commercial Property Report for 2020/21.

The Committee agreed that was a well written, in-depth report that focussed on the previous year. Councillor Nichols asked the Development & Property Manager to write a forward looking report that highlighted any potential issues or risks involved with each development.

Councillor Harvey queried paragraph 3.8 of the report that made reference to the Council’s sinking fund. The Committee agreed the wording was to be changed and the Deputy Chief Executive advised that he would circulate the revised wording to the members of the Committee.

The Committee resolved to note the annual commercial property report for the year ending 31 March 2021 and agreed to publicise it on the Council’s website subject to the wording in paragraph 3.8 being amended.

Postscript: The amended agreed wording was:

“As at the 31st March 2021, the Council accumulated a sinking funds’ reserves combined balance o£ £26.87 million (up from £20.30 million a year ago, in March 2020). At this current level the sinking funds reserves could continue to make the annual net £10.40 million contribution towards the Council’s Revenue Budget (which was last years actual net contribution level), supporting the cost of services, for a period of just over two and a half years (30.4 months)”.

To consider approval of the demolition of Laleham Park Pavilion and WC amenity block in September/October 2021.

The Development & Property Manager advised the Committee that the pavilion at Laleham Park had been derelict since 2001 and had been subject to anti-social behaviour and he sought approval for its demolition. He stated that there were only small windows of opportunity for the demolition due to nesting bats and that the cost of demolition would be £32k. Hardstanding would be put in place that could possibly be utilised by a catering van. It was proposed that a community letting would be sought for this site.

The Committee resolved to approve the demolition of Laleham Park Pavilion and WC amenity block in September/October 2021.

To consider approval of the proposed template for the annual business plans which are being produced for all assets in the Investment & Regeneration portfolios, and to note the proposed timescale of completion of this project by 20^th August subject to Committee being comfortable with the format of the reports.

The Committee resolved to approve the proposed template for the annual business plans which are being produced for all assets in the Investment & Regeneration portfolios, and to note the proposed timescale of completion of this project by 20 August. 

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following items, in view of the likely disclosure of 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.

The Committee resolved to exclude the Press and Public to discuss the exempt World Business Centre 4, Heathrow – Annual Business Plan 2021/22

To note the forecast income and expenditure from WBC 4, Heathrow over the next five-year period and to note the proposed asset management initiatives.

The Committee resolved to note the forecast income and expenditure from WBC 4, Heathrow over the next five year period and to note the proposed asset management initiatives.

During the discussions concerns were raised over the glass panels within the building that are breaking on a regular basis. The Development & Property Manager advised that the Council are commissioning their own report but stated that the previous broken glass instances had been covered by warranties.