Decision details

Cabinet approval was sought to undertake early demolition works at Kingshurst Village Centre and to accept external funding to support the project in the event that recent funding applications were successful.

The report detailed the proposals under consideration and the three options that had been considered, as detailed in the report. Members were advised that Option 1 - Appoint Willmott Dixon to undertake an early works package was recommended (section 4.6 of the report) for the following reasons:

• It limited the delay to main contract works and reduced exposure to construction cost risk through further site investigations, service disconnections and diversions prior to main contract works;

• The site would be completely void from November 2022. Demolition of the site and establishment of fencing thereafter would dramatically reduce ASB;

• The properties were still subject to business and council tax rates (with a 100% levy payable from December). Service disconnections and demolition would cease these payments; and 

• No additional costs would be incurred for accelerating the programme and undertaking these works.

Upon receiving the report Members sought clarification on a number of points which Officers responded to. Officers confirmed that the Council had not heard whether funding bids detailed in the report had been successful, but as detailed in 6.3 of the report funding was in place to proceed with the works Cabinet were being asked to approve as set out in the recommendation. Which were in line with procurement rules. Members were not being asked to change the base nature of the scheme. A further report would be presented to Cabinet in the coming months which would provide a business case and details of the final scheme.

RESOLVED:

(i) That approval be given to proceed with early demolition works at Kingshurst Village Centre through the Council’s contract with Willmott Dixon (WD), as set out in the body of the report;

(ii) That it be approved that the cost of the work be funded as set out at paragraph 6.3 of the report; and

(iii) That authority be granted to the Director of Economy and Infrastructure and the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council, to sign any contractual arrangements associated with the award of grants from the Brownfield Land Release Fund and/or the Levelling Up Fund, should either or both of these bids be successful.