Agenda item

6.1

Marine Lake Events Centre

MC provided a general update. RIBA Stage 2+ is complete and stage 3

underway. The Planning application was submitted on the 6th July and validated the week after. MC is in discussion with the Planning team, the decision target date is December 2022.

A link to the planning portal was provided in the chat during the meeting and can be accessed here. Detailed discussion with variety of statutory authorities underway as part of the planning process. Pre-planning discussions have been taken into account in the submission.

Business case review underway.

SB confirmed that the Combined Authority External Investment Panel endorsed the remaining £17.7m investment earlier this month and is due to go to their board for approval on 14th October. As a funder the CA has key oversight of the project.

ASM have been appointed as the preferred Operator with the contractor

procurement underway. Expected to provide further update at the end of the year when we can.

RA queried the RIBA works stages and the planning submission. MC confirmed that design work was Stage 2+ and hybrid approach taken to develop the detail sufficiently for the planning application.

ANg questioned when the best time would be to publicise the progress made and target potential investors such as accommodation and other ancillary support services. MC confirmed that some discussions are ongoing, but the main driver will be once planning permission is sought and investors have the more certainty about the opportunities progressing. SW confirmed that the Council remains proactive in that regard.

MC provided members with an overview of the key programme dates with the scheme likely to be open Spring 2026.

MA reaffirmed the council’s commitment to deliver the project. She

acknowledged the huge amount of work taking place behind the scenes to

deliver the projects and wanted to take this opportunity to thank SW and the team for their efforts in progressing this far and recognises the huge amount of work coming up. This was echoed by RF and the board.

RF queried who was part of the procurement process for the selection of the Operator. MC confirmed that there was team as part of the negotiated process.

There was an open tender process guided by the consultants IPW. The team

comprised MC, SB, members of SMBC procurement, legal and finance teams.

The contractor's procurement exercise is being led by G&T. It is anticipated that there will be a 25-year agreement with the Operator including regular reviews.

SW added that the robust governance processes are in place with fortnightly progress updates to the CEO and monthly updates to elected members. Existing processes are being followed but recognising the capacity and capability of resources and market challenges including cost inflation is influencing priorities.

The economic position has been reviewed to reflect the spend commitment, CA investment and, through the market research G&T and other key consultants have carried out, the current inflation risk. RF confirmed that the risk registers to be reviewed. MC to share the consultants market insight reports for information.

6.2

Les Transformations

S Birch confirmed that the briefing note circulated at the end of August gave a detailed overview of progress to date. Proposals approved at the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 5th September.

The Phase 1 design work is underway with stakeholder engagement sessions planned in the Market next month. Design development of future phases are also in progress. The Committee also approved the Traffic Regulation Orders required for the phase 1 works as part of the process including the 20mph section of Eastbank Street which will reinforce the crossing points, 1 way traffic along King Street and proposed traffic free zone in Market Street.

Discussions with partners about the entrance to the station along Chapel Street are also taking place, including relocation of the BT kiosk and location of the new BT Hub.

Most works are likely to take place next Autumn but scope to introduce some of the arrangements temporarily to show progress of the intended works sooner.

6.3

Enterprise Arcade

CW confirmed that the summary business case was approved in August and

discussions are ongoing with Baltic Creative as the Operator. Discussions

should pick up pace once Baltic’s new CEO is in post.

The stage 3 design work is complete and currently being costed. Once received we will carry out stage 4 gateway review to assess value and viability.

Listed Building Consent for the ground floor shop fronts is due to be submitted via the planning process shortly. To progress the scheme the procurement of the consultant team is underway with the hope to get the contractor on board before Christmas.

Q. Members queried when the works will be finished.

A. Works are currently programmed to commence by the end of the financial year with the CAT A fit out works completing in Autumn. The Tenant / Operator fit out will take place afterwards with scheme opening early 2024.

6.4

Building Better Customer Experiences

SW provided an overview of progress to date.

Since the summary business case approval in August, discussions have taken place with the partners to develop the agreements. Delivery of the new opportunities is programmed for later next year.

Q. Members queried the information relating to the Q3 commencement.

A. SW confirmed that the existing cohorts will be engaged this term with the new opportunities building up scale for a start next year.