Agenda item

This is a routine report for update on Major Projects, Project Delivery activity.

The Divisional Director for Project Management introduced this item to the Panel. He highlighted some of the key elements from within the report.

Southgate:

·  The freehold title was granted to Aviva 21st December 2012

·  The retail square has now been fully let

Children’s Services:

Ralph Allen School Applied Learning Centre and all weather pitch

·  Project programme on schedule and on budget

·  All weather pitch to be completed February 2013 – Weather dependent

·  Construction aim to complete Summer 2013

St Gregory’s & St Mark’s Joint 6th Form Centre

·  Project remains on budget and to programme

·  The Environment Agency has approved the piling designs

·  Foundations and drainage works are well underway

·  All pre-start planning conditions have been submitted

·  Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment discussions have started with the school

Keynsham Regeneration Project:

·  Project remains on budget and to programme

·  Asbestos removal is complete

·  Demolition of the retail units (to ground level) is complete

·  Temporary highway works are complete, including relocation of Temple Street bus stop

·  Works to the multi-story car park are scheduled to start on 14th January 2013

·  Awaiting formal discharge of the archaeology, contamination and drainage planning conditions, which will then enable ground works to start.

Bath Western Riverside:

Residential occupations

·  First 30 private residential units now occupied or sold.

·  First 100 affordable units now occupied

Phase 2

·  Occupation due 2013

·  2nd Phase infrastructure for replacement Destructor Bridge commenced November 2012

BWR Main scheme

·  Crest are progressing terms with Wales and West (WWU) to decommission the gas holders subject to funding.

·  Council Report to be drafted for February 2013

·  Decommissioning is expected to take up to 2 years from the point WWU contract with Crest.

Former Railway Land, Radstock:

·  In early December the cabinet announced plans to progress with an updated outline planning application.

·  It is anticipated that this will be submitted in late Spring.

·  Linden are progressing plans for the development which will form part of the updated outline planning application

Keynsham K2:

·  The Council is currently considering bids received for the sale of the K2 site in South West Keynsham.

Councillor Gerry Curran asked if he could explain why it would take two years to decommission the gas holders.

The Divisional Director for Project Management replied that there were three stages to the process. The units first of all have to be isolated, the tanks then need to be emptied and finally the site must be decontaminated.

Councillor Will Sandry asked if the Council were likely to face a financial risk if a campaign were launched to save the Destructor Bridge.

The Divisional Director for Project Management replied that any planning obligation with regard to the bridge lies with Crest and not the Council.

Councillor Will Sandry asked if any indication could be given as to how long the Victoria Bridge would be closed for during phase 3.

The Divisional Director for Project Management replied that it would be for a number of months. He added that a design team had been appointed and that listed building consent was being sought. He said that the intention was to retain as much of the existing structure as possible.

Councillor Will Sandry asked if the rail electrification works in the Brougham Hayes area would coincide with the works on the Victoria Bridge to avoid an extended disruption to the public.

The Divisional Director for Project Management replied that they would look to link any works where possible.

Councillor Steve Hedges asked if any information could be provided on the status of the proposed movement of Sainsbury’s to the Homebase site.

Councillor Gerry Curran commented that as far as he was aware in his role as Chairman of the Development Control Committee, Homebase have eight years remaining on their lease and have no intention of moving.

The Chair suggested that at their next meeting the Panel receives a report on project work within Midsomer Norton and Westfield similar to the one they received on Keynsham in November 2012.

The Divisional Director for Project Management replied that he would be happy to provide this to the Panel.