Agenda item

This report will provide an update on the Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration Scheme and the Workplaces Programme. The previous report approved by Cabinet in December 2009, required a return to Cabinet with an update prior to the appointment of a Construction Delivery Partner. The stage has now been reached for this appointment to be implemented together with the submission of a full planning application for the scheme.

The Keynsham Regeneration Project team showed a 3-dimensional visual impression of the proposed development.  The Chair thanked the team for their presentation.

Gill Hellier (Keynsham resident) made a statement welcoming the redevelopment plans for Keynsham and asking the Cabinet to approve the proposals, along with the road improvements.

Sheila Crocombe (Keynsham resident) made a statement [a copy of which is attached as Appendix 6 to the Minutes and on the Council's website].  She made particular mention of the first floor space and One Stop Shop and said that she was disappointed that the new space would be a replacement Council Chamber.  She hoped that Cabinet would consider the needs of the thriving Keynsham Film Club, which needed a projector and screen.

Roger Busby (Keynsham Civic Society) made a statement [a copy of which is attached as Appendix 7 to the Minutes and on the Council's website].  He felt that the designs did not reflect the historic market town and did not meet the needs for sustainability, particularly because the roofs were not inclined enough to take advantage of the solar power options.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked Mr Busby whether he was aware that the proposed buildings included state of the art energy saving elements.  Mr Busby said he was aware of this, but that he had been referring to the lack of a District Energy Scheme.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement welcomed the proposals and was pleased to see the savings which had been achieved.  He acknowledged the merits of the preferred option for funding. He felt in paragraph 5.6 the report should refer to “negotiations” with the current head tenant, not “discussions”.  He also expressed some concern over the lack of clarity about interim Library facilities.

Councillor Tony Clarke made an ad hoc statement congratulating the Cabinet for pushing forward with the scheme, which he felt would bring about a significant improvement in the built environment.

The Chair asked all Cabinet members to confirm that they had read Appendix 4 (Leasing Strategy) and the Public Interest Test document which accompanied it.  All confirmed this.  The Chair then proposed that Appendix 4 was exempt from publication, by virtue of paragraph 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.  This was seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath and Cabinet agreed unanimously.  The Chair reminded Cabinet members that if they wished to refer to the Appendix during the debate, they must first vote to exclude the public from the meeting.  All Cabinet members agreed that they did not wish to refer to the Appendix.

Councillor David Bellotti, in proposing the item, said that the existing accommodation was expensive, wasteful and inadequate.  He explained that the plans were in due course to have One Stop Shops at Lewis House Bath, Hollies Midsomer Norton, and in Keynsham at the newly built offices.  He explained that the proposals had been amended to reduce the cost and maximise the income by involving police, health, citizens advice and others to rent space in the buildings.  It was not possible at that point to mention a number of others with whom negotiations were taking place.

Councillor Bellotti explained that the funding option being recommended was for funding from capital receipts and existing cash flow, without the need for additional external borrowing.  He agreed with others that there were financial risks in any large project, but the Council was working with a construction delivery partner and the contract would minimise the risk to the Council.

He explained that as a result of the public consultation, a number of changes had been made including changes to the materials, the shape of the buildings and a larger car park.  He stressed that the Cabinet were committed to the development as a community provision.  He also explained that the Cabinet were considering possible extensions to the main project, which might involve a riverside retirement living complex.

Councillor Cherry Beath seconded the proposal and said that the Council had a long term commitment to the regeneration of Keynsham.  She wanted to see retailers moving into the town as soon as possible and was excited about the prospect of a thriving, modern town centre.

Councillor Paul Crossley welcomed the proposals as an excellent piece of work.  He confirmed that Cabinet were seeking solutions for the Fire Brigade, swimming pool and others.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE that appendix 4 (Leasing Strategy) of the report is EXEMPT from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, Part 1 or Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

On a motion from Councillor David Bellotti, seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(2) To PROCEED in line with the planned accommodation model detailed within the report including the planned partnership arrangements;

(3) To PROCEED with submission of a full planning application for the Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration in January 2012 after further consultation;

(4) To PROCEED with the appointment of a delivery partner for the Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration in line with arrangements in contract standing orders;

(5) To PROCEED with financing Option 5 – Internal Borrowing backed by cash flow and capital receipts as the preferred option to provide the operational Capital Funding Requirement for this project, SUBJECT to the agreement by Full Council as part of the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme, and the Prudential Borrowing Limits in February 2012;

(6) To ADOPT the changes to the Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration scheme to reflect the public consultation as detailed in the report;

(7) To GIVE a 6 month notice to the current retail tenants in order to gain vacant possession in line with the current programme, this notice period to enable trading to continue over Christmas 2011 and into early summer 2012;

(8) To NOTE that options that are being pursued in respect of the future redevelopment of Riverside;

(9) To NOTE the progress of negotiations to secure tenants for the retail units including draft heads of terms with the anchor tenant;

(10) To NOTE the strong support for the Keynsham Regeneration scheme from the consultation undertaken.