Agenda item

The Committee will receive recommendations following the meeting of the Economy Committee held on 13 June 2023. The minutes from this meeting are attached. The recommendations relate to:

·         Minute 59 [Bognor Regis Arcade, Upper Floors Refurbishment]

Attached is an accompanying report from the Regeneration Consultant with appendices.

·         Minute 66 [Waterloo Square] – This is an Exempt item and so the Officer’s report has been attached under Exempt Business.  If the Committee wishes to discuss any elements of that report it will need to move into Exempt Business.

The Chair confirmed that the Committee had received recommendations to consider following the meeting of the Economy Committee held on 13 June 2023.

          The first set of recommendations were at minute 59 [Bognor Regis Arcade Floor Refurbishment].  

          A recorded vote was requested for all three of the recommendations by Councillor Gunner.

          The recommendations were then proposed by Councillor Nash and seconded by Councillor Stanley.

          Those voting for the recommendations were Councillors Birch, Brooks, Nash, Oppler and Stanley [5]. Those voting against were Councillors Cooper, Greenway, Gunner and Pendleton [4].  There were no abstentions.

          The Committee, therefore,

                     RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL – That

(1)               The project cost of £7,991.069 (including the Brownfield Land Release Fund grant (BLRF) be added to the capital programme;

(2)               The Council accept the BLRF fund grant if it is offered; and

(3)               Delegates authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Chair of the Economy Committee, to deliver the project including selection of the appropriate delivery vehicle, subject to regular updates being presented to the Economy Committee.

The Chair then drew Members’ attention to the next recommendation at Minute 66 [Waterloo Square] and highlighted that as this was an Exempt item if the Committee wished to discuss this in detail, it would be necessary to move into Exempt Business.  An update was provided by the Property and Estates Facilities Manager confirming that stamp duty liability was estimated at £40k.  this sum and other associated costs outlined in the appendix of the report would be funded by a drawdown from revenue.

The Committee confirmed that it was happy to proceed and vote on the recommendation which was then proposed by Councillor Oppler and seconded by Councillor Brooks. 

          The Committee

                     RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL

To approve borrowing of £1million from the Public Works Loan board to fund the purchase of the eases, and for this to be added to the capital programme.