Agenda and minutes

Councillor Graham Chapman – personal

Councillor Alan Clark – personal

Councillor David Mellen – personal

Ian Curryer

Councillors Jon Collins and Sam Webster declared an interest in agenda item 8 (minute 26) – Blueprint Joint Venture – Key Decision, as Council appointed Directors, and left the room prior to the discussion on the item.

Last meeting held on 28 June 2016 (for confirmation)

The Board confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2016 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Transport

The Board considered the Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Transport’s report detailing the proposals to integrate the new tram network into the existing local bus and rail network.

Smartcard ticketing is key to the integration and has been partially achieved via the Robin Hood PayAsYouGo smartcard scheme which has currently cost around £2.5m of external funding, and requires an additional £500,000 to complete.

The aim is to develop a common account based system and common retail network across all operators, which is estimated to cost up to £4m. This will replace the current prepaid season tickets and would allow customers to pay retrospectively for travel, with monthly capping on fares across the different operators. This is subject to feasibility studies, funds being identified and business cases being developed.

RESOLVED to

(1)  approve, in principle, the proposed strategy to develop the Robin Hood smartcard system, to build a detailed business case, and seek external funding streams, which will be subject to further approval;

(2)  approve the remaining funding of £500,000 required to complete the existing phase of the current system.

Reasons for decision

The plan has been discussed and accepted by all of the main local transport operators.

The integration will increase accessibility to jobs and the cost effectiveness of network operations, and will reduce fares and subsidised service levels.

It will place Nottingham on a par with Birmingham, and improve the likelihood of future smartcard funding from Midland Connect to develop this programme and widen the rail network.

It should also assist any future business case to extend the tram network.

Other options considered

Doing nothing or waiting for external funding opportunities was rejected because it does not:

·  maximise the accessibility and efficiency benefits from the public transport network;

·  meet individual operator’s timescales and commercial plans;

·  take advantage of current investment and momentum of the Robin Hood Scheme;

·  position Nottingham to take advantage of future Midland Connect funds and form a Midlands wide scheme linking with Birmingham and the local rail network.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health

The Board considered the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health’s report detailing the proposals for the refurbishment of Laura Chambers Lodge, and the sale of the Oakdene Learning Disability Residential Care Home, to create an in-house provision to support the most complex learning disabled adults.

RESOLVED to

(1)  approve the refurbishment of Laura Chambers Lodge at a total scheme cost of £2.782m, with the additional capital required for the scheme via Prudential Borrowing for the amount of £2.487m;

(2)  approve the procurement of a contractor for the detailed design and build, within the funding envelope of £2.3m, and delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health, in consultation with the Corporate Director for Children and Adults and the Corporate Director for Resilience, to let the contract following the procurement process;

(3)  approve the procurement of goods and services for the purpose of the supply and fitting of furniture and equipment at Laura Chambers Lodge, within the funding envelope of £0.211m, and delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health, in consultation with the Corporate Director for Children and Adults and the Corporate Director for Resilience, to let the relevant contracts following the tender process;

(4)  delegate authority to the Director of Strategic Assets and Property Management to agree the sales terms for the Oakdene Learning Disability Residential Care Home, including the price, and also to implement any recommendations which will maximise the capital receipt to be achieved on sale, which may include demolition of the existing structure;

(5)  approve the creation of a reserve to fund major repairs and maintenance issues across the Adult Provision estate, to contain unspent revenue budget from the provision for repairs and maintenance of buildings.

Reasons for decision

The service needs to be relocated from Oakdene and the building demolished as it is beyond economic improvement, was not purpose built for the service it provides, and it requires substantial maintenance and repair work.

The refurbishment of Laura Chambers Lodge is cost effective and demonstrates best value. The current building has been well maintained and only requires modernisation to existing ensuite facilities, the reconfiguration of room layouts, and the redecoration of rooms and corridors. The site has extensive safe and secure inside and outside space.

Other options considered

Doing nothing was rejected as it means retaining Oakdene, resulting in increasing maintenance costs. It also means that Laura Chambers Lodge will be sold with an approximate value of £300,000, with costs being incurred for keeping the site secure until the sale.

Doing a basic refurbishment of Laura Chambers Lodge was rejected as it will cost approximately £700,000 and result in Oakdene being demolished and sold with a capital receipt of £100,000. The refurbished unit wouldn’t be able to accommodate those with complex needs.

Building a new residential facility on the Laura Chambers Lodge site was rejected as it will cost around £4.5m and, although it would create a modern unit that would meet complex needs, it isn’t financially viable due to the Prudential Borrowing payback period.

Outsourcing provision was rejected as it would result in the demolition and sale of Oakdene, and the sale of Laura Chambers Lodge. It would mean that there is no in-house provision which would increase the costs for providing private residential care. It would also result in the loss of highly skilled staff, and potential redundancy costs of approximately £638,000.

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

The Board considered the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture’s report seeking approval for the adoption of the Nottingham Castle Conservation Management Plan (CMP) which sets out the heritage significance of the site, and provides a new policy framework on how it should be conserved and managed during any repairs, maintenance or future development.

RESOLVED to formally adopt the Nottingham Castle Conservation Management Plan as a document of best practice for the management and future development of the Nottingham Castle site.

Reasons for decision

The adoption of the CMP will update the draft Conservation Plan prepared in 2006, and will include Brewhouse Yard and the Waterworks Building in it.

The adoption will also form part of the Stage 2 funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to refurbish and extend the Ducal Palace, build a new visitor centre, re-landscape the grounds, and refresh displays at Brewhouse Yard.

Other options considered

Not adopting the CMP was rejected as it would risk the Council not being able to access the Heritage Lottery Fund funding for the project.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information

RESOLVED to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information.

Councillors Jon Collins and Sam Webster left the meeting.

Councillor Nick McDonald took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Report of the Deputy Leader/Portfolio Holder for Resources and Neighbourhood Regeneration

The Board considered the Deputy Leader/Portfolio Holder for Resources and Neighbourhood Regeneration's exempt report.

RESOLVED to approve the recommendations in the report.

Reasons for decisions

As detailed in the report.

Other options considered

As detailed in the report.