Minutes:
The Executive Director Place, Matt Gladstone, submitted a report providing a detailed update on the progress of the Glassworks scheme.
Particular reference was made to the following:
· The Governance Arrangements
· The arrangements for the Management of Issues and Risks
· The Construction Programme Overview
· The overall Leasing position
· Future Asset Management Arrangements
· The current financial position with particular reference to capital costs and funding sources and the financial risks and associated mitigations
· The Internal Audit Assurance and the review that was currently being undertaken in relation to contract and performance management arrangements
The Committee then received a presentation from Kathy McArdle, Service Director Regeneration and Culture, which focussed primarily on the current and potential future leasing position and expressions of interest by sector/offer (food and drink, retail and leisure etc.), the Leasing Strategy and the discussions that were ongoing with various retailers/businesses and organisations.
It was reported that close liaison was held with the Service Director Finance and his Team on the implications of any options brought forward and a further report on the leasing position and options was to be submitted to Cabinet shortly. Reference was also made to the ongoing plans for the official opening of the centre.
In the ensuing discussion, particular reference was made, amongst other things, but not exclusively, to the following:
· The long term financial arrangements for the Glassworks, the break even position and the proposals to regenerate the rest of the Town Centre taking account of the current retail climate and the need to provide a mix of uses
· The arrangements for encouraging occupancy, current and confirmed future occupancy levels, occupancy targets and timescales for such
· The length of leases offered to tenants and the use of capital incentives
· The business support provided from various departments/organisations including Enterprising Barnsley
· The future community and voluntary sector involvement
· The ‘entertainment’ offer and possible further developments
· The challenge and scrutiny of the process at all stages by both Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny and Senior Management Team
Written responses to questions asked by Members of the Committee were provided in relation to the following:
· The discussions and current position in relation to sewer construction and associated works
· The position with regard to
o work undertaken adjacent to the railway line
o the construction of the bridge
o the relocation of Barnsley traders from other retail outlets
o the food and drink offer
· The current position with regard to the increased cost of higher specification of units which were included within the financial forecast
· The proposals and options for alternative uses of various units, although it was stressed that thee was still a very healthy level of interest in lease opportunities
· The financial position, revised costings and the receipt of external funding
· The use, where appropriate, of a standard assurance bond scheme in relation to bridge construction and the current position with regard to procurement
· The contractual position with regard to an anchor tenant
· The minor impact of delays additional costs due to Brexit largely due to the work from the Team and Henry Boot Construction
RESOLVED that the update report be received and Matt Gladstone and Kathy McArdle be thanked for attending the meeting and for answering Members questions.