Agenda item

The Committee will receive a verbal update from the Council’s Regeneration Officer. This update will cover the points in the presentation attached.

(Councillor Thurston left the meeting at 18:58pm.)

The Interim Project Manager provided members with a presentation update on the regeneration of the Regis Centre, Bognor Regis. He confirmed that the Whitbread contract had been exchanged with an expected completion mid-May 2023. The project delivery had now moved into RIBA 3 design, he explained that the planning application submission would be expected towards the end of May 2023. The total project  cost forecast was confirmed to currently be within the budget envelope.

The Chair then invited member’s questions, where it was asked with the construction work forecast to start on 20 November 2023, how long do officers expect this work to take. It was confirmed that it was expected to be approximately an 18 month build programme. But this would be further informed by the procurement process (and related contractor programme) which is yet to take place and is being worked towards in tandem with RIBA 3. It was also confirmed that there were temporary locations being reviewed in order to relocate part of the Arun Arts operation and maintain a presence for them during the build period.

A member of the committee then expressed that he expected that this update would have provided more detail, he asked a number of questions on design, public and member consultation and raised concerns regarding public toilets. The officer provided reassurance to members that they would be kept informed throughout all stages of the project, he confirmed a  PR & Communications campaign was due to be rolled out shortly. And all endeavours were being undertaken to ensure this project would be as good as the council can get it.

 Discussion was then had regarding the SCF (Southern Construction framework) and the cost of using this framework, specifically how much did the 3% (OHPP) work out at, alongside had consideration been given to using Pagabo framework?  The officer explained that currently the SCF  was the most advantageous and preferred framework from a budgetary, programme and assured quality perspective. He explained that there was currently  limited interest in the construction industry as it was extremely busy, this was therefore having an impact on  achieving full contractor interest to tender due to resource issues, however expressions of interest were likely to be achieved through the SCF. He explained that there were a number of factors to consider during procurement and the process is not solely driven by cost. He confirmed he did not have the specific figures requested and would provide these at a later date as designs were worked up and costed through RIBA 3 and via the procurement/tender process. As discussion was continuing the Chair expressed that he felt if members wanted to continue this discussion, then the meeting would need to move into private session. The Director of Growth reminded members at this point that of the two project updates they had received at this meeting, both were very different from the other, one was a regeneration project, the other a construction project therefore the frameworks used were needed to be suitable to the different needs of each project, the two projects were not the same.

The Chair advised members that this update was not about the rest of the building. Further attempts to discuss confidential elements of the project were made and the Chair took advice from the Group Head of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer who agreed that the line of discussion would be required to move into exempt business. There was no appetite from members to move into exempt business and therefore the discussion was moved on.

It was asked if the officer could provide more detailed on the list of potential temporary sites being considered for Arun Arts. It was confirmed that officers would be in a better position in a few weeks’ time to provide more detail on this once the location and nature of these had been agreed with Arun Arts and the programme had been confirmed.

The Chair, with the agreement of the committee invited a non-committee member to speak where he stated that the Littlehampton project had detailed excellent consultation for the public, however, there had been limited public consultation for the Regis Centre/Alexandra Theatre project.

Members then noted the update provided.